BMW confirms production 5 Series Hybrid, 3 Series to follow
BMW will launch a production 5 Series ActiveHybrid in 2011 and is planning to expand its hybrid technology to the 3 Series in the coming years.
BMW will launch a production version of its 5 Series ActiveHybrid in 2011, with the company’s chief executive confirming the move at a Munich event. The announcement sets out BMW’s intention to broaden its hybrid offering beyond the X6 and 7 Series, with the 3 Series next in line for electrification.
Norbert Reithofer, BMW’s CEO, stated that the 5 Series would be available as a full hybrid as early as 2011. He added that hybridisation would extend to further model lines, specifically naming the 3 Series as a future recipient of the technology. While the 3 Series hybrid will not arrive in 2011, the company’s roadmap points towards its introduction in the years following the 5 Series launch.
BMW’s hybrid rollout strategy
The 5 Series Hybrid will follow the X6 and 7 Series, which already feature hybrid variants. The company’s ActiveHybrid system, first shown in concept form, is designed to combine a petrol engine with an electric motor to improve efficiency without sacrificing performance. Details of the production 5 Series Hybrid’s drivetrain have not been released, but the move is part of BMW’s wider push to offer multiple hybrid options across its range.
Reithofer pointed to the importance of hybrid variety, particularly in markets such as Japan, where buyers expect to see several electrified models on the showroom floor before considering a brand. This strategy aligns BMW with rivals who are also expanding their hybrid line-ups in response to regulatory pressure and consumer demand for lower emissions.
What it means for buyers and the market
The arrival of the 5 Series Hybrid gives BMW buyers an electrified option in the brand’s core executive saloon segment. For company car drivers and private owners alike, the hybrid is expected to offer improved fuel economy and lower CO2 emissions compared to standard petrol models, potentially reducing tax liabilities in markets with emissions-based incentives.
The planned 3 Series Hybrid will bring the technology to a broader market, targeting higher-volume segments and putting BMW in direct competition with hybrid offerings from Mercedes-Benz and Lexus. The company has not given a firm launch date for the 3 Series Hybrid, but the expectation is that it will follow after the 5 Series, possibly by 2012.
Hybrid models in BMW’s range
- BMW X6 ActiveHybrid: Large SUV, hybrid variant already in production.
- BMW 7 Series ActiveHybrid: Luxury saloon, hybrid version available.
- BMW 5 Series ActiveHybrid: Production confirmed for 2011.
- BMW 3 Series Hybrid: Planned for later introduction.
