The BMW 5-Series was redesigned for the 2024 model year, and the new sedan offers buyers the choice of gas, hybrid, or electric powertrains.
The electric powertrains feature in a model called the i5, and our latest spy shots plus a video from Car Spy Media show a prototype for an i5 wagon that's likely to be called the i5 Touring. A gas-powered 5-Series Touring is also being developed.
The i5 sedan has been revealed in single-motor i5 eDrive40 and dual-motor i5 M60 xDrive grades delivering 335 hp and 590 hp, respectively. The i5 M60 xDrive will sprint from 0-60 mph in just 3.7 seconds, according to BMW.
In each case the battery is an 84.3-kwh unit, which delivers an EPA-rated range of up to 295 miles in the i5 eDrive40 and 256 miles in the i5 M60 xDrive. Charging at up to 205 kw is possible using a DC fast charger, which allows charging to 80% in around 30 minutes, according to BMW.
Expect the same powertrain configurations to feature in the i5 Touring.
BMW has confirmed the i5 Touring will be available in Europe starting next spring. Don't look for it or any other regular 5-Series wagon to reach the U.S., as buyers here in need of cargo space mostly prefer SUVs.
The latest 5-Series is also set to spawn a high-performance M5 next year, which will have its own M5 Touring wagon option. The new M5 will use a V-8 engine paired with a plug-in hybrid system, and there are rumors both the sedan and wagon body styles are planned for the U.S.
There are also rumors an electric M5 is being developed. Such a vehicle could use a four-motor powertrain delivering close to 1,000 hp, a setup BMW M engineers are testing. Stay tuned.
