Report: BMW to reveal 'Echo,' one-off electric 5-Series LWB for China

BMW recently revealed a long-wheelbase version of its 5-Series sedan for the Chinese market, and now a report suggests that BMW is set to reveal a one-off, all electric version of the 5-Series LWB at the Beijing Auto Show.



According to Autocar, which claims to have confirmation from sources within BMW, the German automaker is set to reveal the details of a car known as Echo, a one-off electric 5-Series long-wheelbase sedan.

The electric 5-Series LWB, or Echo, is reportedly the result of a collaboration between BMW and Tongji University. The result is a luxurious and spacious 5-Series sedan that is expected to yield 100 kilometers of travel on a single charge. Detailed specifications have not yet been revealed, but are expected to come later at the Beijing Auto Show.

BMW says that the car was "built in China, by China, and for China." The car comes as a result of a joint effort with a Chinese university to see the potential for a Chinese electric vehicle. BMW says the car was built at the automaker's Shanyang facility, utilizing Chinese-sourced electric vehicle technology.

"The Chinese government is investing billions of dollars in electric car technology, and that is pushing development at an incredible pace," said Autocar's source. "Electric cars make so much sense for China; at present it has to import crude oil and it has a pollution problem, yet it has access to hundreds of years' worth of coal, and therefore easy electricity."

References
1. 'BMW confirms electric 5-Series...' view