- BMW plans to follow last year's launch of a long-wheelbase 5 Series in China with a new plug-in hybrid variant.
- The so-called "new energy car" will be "our e-car from China for China," says BMW Chairman Norbert Reithofer.
- BMW is opening a new production plant in Shenyang in 2012 and adding local production of the X1.
MUNICH, Germany — BMW plans to follow last year's launch of a long-wheelbase 5 Series in China with a new plug-in hybrid variant at the 2011 Shanghai Auto Show in April.
At the 2010 Beijing Auto Show, the German automaker introduced the stretched 535Li exclusively for the China market. The long-wheelbase 5 Series is being assembled at the BMW-Brilliance plant in Shenyang in Northern China.
The latest variant also will be produced in China, according to BMW boss Norbert Reithofer, who said, "This model will be our e-car from China for China — a long version of the BMW 5 Series as a plug-in hybrid."
BMW displayed its ActiveHybrid 5 prototype a year ago at the 2010 Geneva Auto Show, featuring an updated version of the hybrid gasoline-electric drivetrain that powers the ActiveHybrid 7. At the time, BMW said the system would bundle a straight-6 gasoline engine with a 40kW electric motor and an eight-speed automatic transmission. It offered no specific timetable for production.
Last year's 535Li in Beijing featured a wheelbase that had been stretched by 5.5 inches, with most of the additional room in the rear passenger compartment — a nod to owners who prefer to be chauffeur driven. Amenities included a new "high comfort" rear bench seat, plus such options as rear sun blinds, a folding table in the back of the front passenger seat, rear-seat entertainment and four-zone automatic climate control.
Reithofer this week said BMW is opening a second facility in Shenyang in 2012, and will assemble the X1 there for the China market. The new plant will boost BMW's annual production capacity in China to 150,000 units.
Inside Line says: Two interesting ideas — a long-wheelbase 5 Series and a 5 Series plug-in hybrid — will come together first in China. Where else? — Paul Lienert, Correspondent
Add A Comment »
93aero says:
06:43 PM, 03/16/2011
"I preferred it when BMW had an available Hydrogen 7 just about 3 years ago. Electric is great, but coal is still its main power supply. Hydrogen is abundant, and even the current process of using natural gas in order to produce it in liquid form is still cleaner than the process we use to get electric, and far cleaner then petrol products."
THANK YOU! Hydrogen just makes more sense as a perfect substitute for gas, i wonder why they are leaning away from it.
copmotor440cid says:
09:44 AM, 03/16/2011
Wow another 5000lb 20 mpg $100k BMW hybrid. Exciting and earth-shattering.
lions208487 says:
07:21 AM, 03/16/2011
I prefered it when BMW had an available Hydrogen 7 just about 3 years ago. Electric is great, but coal is still its main power supply. Hydrogen is adundant, and even the current process of using natural gas in order to produce it in liquid form is still cleaner than the process we use to get electric, and far cleaner then petrol products.
mce63 says:
06:43 PM, 03/15/2011
I think BMW wants to take some of Audi's business as the gov't car of choice. Hence the long wheelbase for chauffeured cars. The hybrid makes it politically correct.
dagmar3 says:
05:22 PM, 03/15/2011
What is it with the Chinese and long-wheelbase cars? I was in China five years ago, and I really don't recall the Chinese being a tall, long-legged population. I am curious as to what they do with the extra inches of legroom. I would imagine that they tend to start off with a lot of back seat legroom due to the small stature of the typical Chinese driver - it's not as if big, strapping Danes or sturdy Finns are employed as professional drivers in China.
Is rear seat legroom in China what cupholders are in the US? Just a sort of non-negotiable, deal-killing preference?
blackdynamite0 says:
03:44 PM, 03/15/2011
Not here
We have a 7 series
They are "Vetting" the hybrid there
If it works out, they can compete here with the GS and M Hybrids
BD