The one they indicated wasn’t coming? It now is.

SENTIMENT expressed by BMW New Zealand that the wagon version of its i5 electric wouldn’t be required here has completed changed - the derivative internationally-unveiled overnight is coming later this year.

The Auckland-based distributor today announced intention to bring the i5 Touring.

It’ll solely represent in the same highest-trimmed M60 specification and 442/880Nm output that it provisions with the sedan. 

Price will be announced closer to release; set to happen between June and August.

Comment about the load-all’s NZ-market potential was specifically sought from BMW NZ when media gathered for the $196,900 i5 sedan’s launch in late November. 

Back then, they were unequivocal - it’s chances of getting here were “highly Unlikely” on grounds there was no need for it. 

Sentiment was that the make’s sports utilities, specifically the iX, had that base covered.

A different story now, but there’s no inkling in the make’s media share about why the u-turn.

As is, thought forwarded by the local agency today about the car being ‘segment unique’ will also be contested; Audi having already confirmed that the Q6 e-tron will be here this year. Though ostensibly an electric A6, the Q6 is based on a bespoke EV platform, whereas i5 utilities an underpinning also designed for combustion engines. However, as with the Five-Series sedan, there is no mention of the petrol (or diesel) engine models getting here.

Munich’s wagon patently apes the i5 sedan’s major styling ingredients, and is dimensionally identical. Compared with its predecessor, the new shape is 97 millimetres longer (5060mm), 32mm wider (1900mm) and 17mm higher (1515mm). BMW claims the longest wheelbase in its class, increasing by 20mm to 2995mm.

Stowage is the big deal. The i5 sedan whas a decent (490-litre) boot, but the wagon of course destroys it: The luggage compartment volume is 570 litres, expanding to 1700 litres with the back seats folded. In addition to the automatic tailgate operation, remote unlocking of the 40:20:40 split rear seat backrest from the luggage compartment is also standard. 

Exactly how much heavier the wagon is over the sedan has yet to be spelled out, but BMW data suggests performance is barely inhibited, with 0-100kmh in 3.9 seconds being just 0.1s off the sedans. Top speed is electronically restricted to 230kmh.

Range is rated at up to 506km on the WLTP scale. The sedan will reach 505kms on the same measurement.

This is the sixth generation of Five Series Touring but, as with the sedan, the first to be exclusively electric. In the outgoing range, BMW built a plug-in hybrid, but not for NZ.