BMW has announced a high-performance version of its all-electric i5 Touring, giving a sneak peek at the upcoming electric wagon. The new model, which is expected to be called the i50 Touring M60 xDrive, is an all-electric version of BMW’s popular 5 series and features a redesigned taillight, sleek new bumper, and an added small rear spoiler.
The i5 was first unveiled in May 2023 and is available in two trims: the i5 eDrive50 and i5 M60. The eDrive 50 model features 335 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque with an 81.2 kWh battery providing up to 295 miles of range. The high-performance i5 M60, powered by dual electric motors, packs a combined 593 horsepower and 586 lb-ft of torque. Although BMW’s latest teaser doesn’t specify, it is expected that the i50 Touring M60 xDrive will have similar specs to the i5 M60.
The interior of the i5 M60 Touring is expected to include BMW’s latest tech and software, like the i5, with a dual 12.3″ driver display and infotainment. The Touring version of the i5 will also feature additional cargo space.
BMW M division leader, Franciscus van Meel, confirmed that the high-performance i5 M60 Touring will arrive this spring. It will not be available in the US, but it will be available in 27 European Union countries, the UK, Norway, Switzerland, Japan, and Taiwan.
The teaser image provides a glimpse of the electric wagon in a sporty attire, with sportier bumpers, aerodynamic mirror caps, larger-diameter wheels, and M badges. The i5 Touring shares the front part of its bodywork with the sedan, but it adds a redesigned roofline and rear end with slim LED taillights.
The powertrain options are expected to be the same as the i5 saloon, which comes in three trim levels and uses an 81.2 kWh battery. The entry-level ‘eDrive40 M Sport’ produces 340bhp and 295lb ft of torque, with an estimated WLTP driving range of 312-357 miles. The ‘M Sport Pro’ retains similar figures, while the range-topping ‘M60 xDrive’, which the new Touring is based on, boasts a power increase to 601bhp and a massive 586lb ft of torque.
The new Touring is expected to have a similar impressive set of performance numbers as its saloon counterpart. Pricing is expected to increase by a few thousand pounds compared to the saloon models, but opting for a slightly older model could save you enough for a house deposit, or even a castle, given the current volatile market. The high-performance i5 M60 Touring aims to build on the renewed demand for fast estates.
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