BMW is getting serious about EV sales

BMW Group has been guarded in fully embracing electrification while it watches how customers adopt EVs and monitors the development of charging infrastructure in markets such as the U.S.

The German luxury automaker expects about half of its sales to be fully electric by the start of the next decade. But over the next few years, BMW will push on with redesigned combustion engine and hybrid variants of its marquee nameplates, including the 3, 5 and 7 Series lineups.

But BMW knows the future is electric.

The automaker is rolling out a fleet of electric vehicles, aiming to sell 200,000 globally this year — double the number it delivered last year. Earlier this year, BMW launched a pair of next-generation electric models in two market sweet spots. The 300-mile BMW i4 fastback aims at Tesla's bread-and-butter Model 3, while the X5-size BMW iX targets the much larger-selling midsize crossover segment.

Three more BMW Group EVs are headed to the U.S. over the next two years, including a battery-powered version of the brand's 7 Series top-of-the-line sedan, a 5 Series midsize sedan, and the Mini Countryman compact crossover.

BMW is also developing a new all-EV architecture called Neue Klasse (New Class) for the midsize premium segment.

XM: The M brand-exclusive XM is a high-performance, halo SUV that will arrive in the first half of 2023. The model will be available only as a plug-in hybrid, using the automaker's newly developed M Hybrid drive system, mating a V-8 engine and a high-performance electric motor to generate about 650 hp. The vehicle will have an estimated all-electric range of up to 30 miles.

iX: The X5-size battery-electric crossover arrived this spring as part of a pair of next-generation BMW EVs. A 111.5-kilowatt-hour lithium ion battery pack sits in the middle of the iX's 118.1-inch wheelbase. The front motor produces 268 hp, while the rear has 335 hp.

The 2023 iX M60, a more powerful version of the iX electric crossover, delivers up to 610 hp and an EPA-estimated 280 miles of driving range on a single charge. A freshen could come in the second half of 2025.

iX3: BMW previously put off plans to export its first electric crossover to the U.S., reportedly because of inadequate range and the lack of all-wheel drive. But the BEV's second generation could arrive here in 2026 and will be based on the Neue Klasse platform.

i7: The all-electric version of the 7 Series sedan features dual motors that deliver a combined 536 hp. The i7, which has an EPA-estimated range of up to 307 miles, will arrive in late 2022.

i5: An all-electric version of the 5 Series arrives in the second half of 2023. BMW has been quiet on the new EV, but the website BMWBLOG expects two variants initially, including an M performance version.

Production of the i5 should begin next summer, according to AutoForecast Solutions.

i4: The sporty four-door EV launched in the first quarter, based on the 4 Series Gran Coupe and combining a four-door car's comfort with a large tailgate's practicality. The i4 eDrive40 delivers up to 335 hp and up to 301 miles of range. The 2022 BMW i4 M50 delivers 536 hp and up to 270 miles of driving range. Early next year, BMW will debut a third variant. The single-motor 2023 BMW i4 eDrive35 delivers an EPA range of about 260 miles. Expect a freshening in the second half of 2025.

X7: BMW's top-of-the-line crossover receives a beefy freshening that includes more power, sportier design and upgraded tech. The U.S.-made BMW X7 is available with two engines and features the latest 48-volt mild-hybrid technology.

The updated X7 arrives in the third quarter and features a split headlight design and BMW's updated signature kidney grille. An Alpina version will launch in early 2023.

X6: The midsize crossover coupe should get a minor freshen late next year that will receive slimmer headlights and a tweaked grille design.

X5: BMW's bestseller is due for a freshen in the first half of 2023. It will include new engines, revised headlights and recent BMW models' large curved display. It could also receive the V-8 engine that was recently added to the X7 and 7 Series lineups, BMWBLOG reported.

The next-generation X5 should arrive in 2026 and be based on the Neue Klasse platform.

X4: The compact crossover received a freshen late last year that delivered updates to the exterior design and drivetrain. The X4 xDrive30i, powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder, delivers 248 hp. The X4 M40i sports a 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine that puts out 382 hp. The X4 M variant delivers 473 hp, and a Competition version boosts it to 503 hp.

Production of the U.S.-made model could end in late 2025 with no replacement planned, according to AutoForecast Solutions.

X3: BMW's second-best seller in the U.S. was freshened in late 2021, receiving a new larger grille and updated front and rear bumpers, exhaust trim and headlights. The powertrain lineup was simplified with the X3 xDrive30e plug-in gasoline-electric hybrid dropped in the U.S.

BMW's next-generation X3 compact crossover arrives in late 2024. It will feature the brand's bigger signature kidney grille and slimmer LED lights, according to photos of a heavily camouflaged prototype spied in Germany this summer. BMW will offer multiple versions of the upcoming X3 globally, including an all-electric, plug-in hybrid and an M performance variant.

X2: A redesign of the sporty X2 should arrive in the first half of 2024. Mechanically, it should be identical to the redesigned X1.

X1: BMW's most petite crossover receives a plus-size upgrade in the fourth quarter. The redesigned X1 will be roomier and feature updated technology and a beefier powertrain. The 2.0-liter TwinPower Turbo four-cylinder engine makes 241 hp, and the X1 can sprint from 0 to 60 mph in 6.2 seconds.

Compared with its predecessor, the crossover is 1.7 inches longer, 0.9 inches wider and 1.7 inches higher. The wheelbase, meanwhile, is extended by 0.9 inches. Its new front features BMW's large, almost square kidney grille bookended by standard LED headlights with cornering lights.

8 Series: The 8 Series model lineup received a mild freshen this summer, including an illuminated grille and a new 12.3-inch center display. The 8 Series and Gran Coupe models should receive a redesign in 2026.

7 Series: The seventh-generation large sedan received an ultraluxury redesign and an all-electric version for the 2023 model. Based on the latest evolution of BMW's CLAR platform, the 7 Series will arrive in U.S. stores in the fourth quarter with a more powerful V-8 engine, a lounge-like interior and advanced driver-assist technology.

5 Series: The midsize sedan received a freshen in 2020, and the six-cylinder engine variant got a 48-volt mild-hybrid system. The M version received an update that included new front and rear styling and a larger 12.3-inch touch screen information display.

A redesign of the 5 Series arrives late next year, carrying over the current rear-wheel-drive CLAR platform and powertrain and could feature the new XM SUV's plug-in hybrid powerplant.

4 Series: Both the coupe and convertible 4 Series were redesigned in 2020, and the six-cylinder engine variant received a 48-volt mild-hybrid system. The line should get a midcycle freshen in the second half of 2024, similar to what the 3 Series received.

The four-door Gran Coupe got a redesign last year that included beefier engines and improvements in aerodynamics. A redesigned 503-hp M4 Competition Convertible with M xDrive awd arrived last year.

Z4: The two-door roadster, which shares a platform with Toyota's Supra sports car, will receive a mild update next year. But the sports car is not likely to remain in the BMW lineup once production of the current generation ends in late 2025, according to AutoForecast Solutions and media reports.

3 Series: BMW's best-selling sedan received a midcycle update for the 2023 model that included new cockpit technology.

The 2023 330i features a 2-liter TwinPower turbo four-cylinder engine, while the M340i and M340i xDrive sport a 3-liter TwinPower Turbo inline-6 with mild-hybrid technology.

Exterior changes include redesigned front and rear aprons and large air intakes. The sedan received a wider, more muscular stance with horizontal lines, slimmer light units and flared rear wheel arches.

The 3 Series is in line to be redesigned in late 2025, with an all-electric version possible in the first half of 2026. The EV will debut BMW's Neue Klasse platform.

2 Series: The second-generation two-door 2 Series received a muscular makeover, bigger footprint and punchier powertrain late last year.

The 230i Coupe's 2.0-liter 4-cylinder BMW TwinPower turbo engine produces 255 hp and 295 pound-feet of torque — an increase of 7 hp and 37 pound-feet over the previous model.

The M240i xDrive got a power boost of 47 hp to 382 hp from its 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder TwinPower turbocharged engine.

A redesigned M2 arrives in the first half of 2023, featuring a 450hp 3.0-liter turbo inline six-cylinder engine. The 2 Series Gran Coupe, built on the same platform that underpins the Mini Clubman and Countryman, should get a redesign in early 2025.