Official: China to get the BMW F10 5 Series Plug-In Hybrid first in April, 2011!

2011 F10 BMW 5 Series 535i Sedan

Come April this year, BMW will unwrap the 2011 BMW F10 5 Series 535i Plug-In Hybrid at the 2011 Shanghai Motor Show. Here’s official word straight from the horse’s mouth. BMW CEO Norbert Reithofer has confirmed this development and here’s what he had to say about the 5 Series going hybrid.

A highlight at the Shanghai Motor Show in mid-April will be the presentation of our New Energy Vehicle. This model will be our e-car from China for China-a long version of the BMW 5 Series as a plug-in hybrid. This car will benefit from the strength and the excellent reputation of the BMW brand.

Speculation is rife about which engine BMW will choose to mate to the electric motor which is anticipated to be good for 50 Bhp. The initial reports emerging seem to suggest that the BMW 535i’s twin turbo six pot motor will get the plug-in hybrid option first. This could very well happen as the thirsty 2011 F10 BMW 535i Sedan being BMW’s flagship model in the mid size luxury segment could benefit with some frugal drinking habits.

Also, back in the day when the 2010 F10 BMW 5 Series Sedan was launhed in India, BMW’s India’s then-CEO Peter Kronschnabl had remarked during the launch conference that BMW would be launching a hybrid version of the F10 535i in the future. So, in line with this statement, it very well could be that the F10 BMW 535i would be the first Beemer to go hybrid.

Meanwhile, we’re wondering whether BMW India would consider bringing the Hybrid Plug-In version of their latest F10 5 Series Sedan to India. This, as BMW India has traditionally been very quick in launching it’s global models in India soon after their global launches. With the Indian government doling out sops in the 2011 Union Budget for hybrid vehicles, an Indian launch of the BMW 5 Series Plug-In Hybrid might just be a strong possibility.

Via MotorWard

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