At the recent Beijing International Automotive Exhibition, BMW made its grand debut with several new models, three of which became the focus of attention. In addition to the upcoming global launch of the BMW 7 Series/i7 facelift, the long-wheelbase i3 and iX3, two new-generation all-electric models specifically designed for the Chinese market, also officially debuted. More new models are planned for the future, and the next-generation BMW X5 will also have a dedicated version for BMW’s largest single market.
During the Q&A session following the quarterly earnings call, BMW CFO Walter Myrtel announced that a China-exclusive version of the X5 will be launched in 2027. He revealed that domestic dealers have already seen this luxury SUV, which will be equipped with an Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) jointly developed with Haomo Intelligent Mobility. BMW has also partnered with this Chinese technology company for the driver assistance systems of the new iX3 and i3.
Like the other two new-generation platform models specifically designed for the Chinese market, the upcoming domestically produced X5 is expected to adopt an extended wheelbase version, a precedent for BMW. The current BMW X5, codenamed G05, has had an extended wheelbase G18 derivative version launched in the Chinese market since 2022.
Regarding model designations, the fifth-generation BMW X5 is expected to officially debut this summer under the designation G65; while the long-wheelbase version for the Chinese market, slated for release in 2027, is rumored to be codenamed G78. It’s reasonable to speculate that BMW will produce this extended-wheelbase X5 at its Dadong plant; BMW’s first all-electric iX5 is also expected to be produced at the same plant.
If recent reports are true, the iX5 may be equipped with the largest capacity battery in BMW’s history for a pure electric vehicle, reaching 148 kWh. Aside from the extended wheelbase, the domestically produced version is expected to have some technical configuration differences from the global version, but the overall architecture and core product strengths of the two SUVs will remain largely the same.
Although BMW has explicitly stated that it will not launch a long-wheelbase version in the North American market, in recent years, the long-wheelbase version has no longer been limited to the Chinese market. Even so, it remains uncertain whether the extended X5, codenamed G78, will be sold in other overseas markets. If not, the next-generation BMW X7, codenamed G67, will remain the brand’s only large flagship SUV option. The second-generation flagship SUV X7 will also simultaneously launch a pure electric version—the iX7.
According to Tech Free Press, all of the above-mentioned new models are part of BMW’s new product offensive strategy. By the end of 2027, BMW will have launched more than 40 new models. The all-electric i3 Touring is also among the new car plans, but it is currently uncertain whether this all-electric Touring will be introduced to the Chinese market; the iX4, which has not yet been officially released, is more likely to enter the Chinese market.
In recent years, BMW has localized the production of the vast majority of its models in China, with only a few models still being produced overseas. For example, the 7 Series and iX are produced exclusively at the Dingolfing plant in Germany, while the BMW XM is manufactured exclusively at the Spartanburg plant in South Carolina, USA.
