BMW confirmed at the Shanghai show that it would start production of a plug in hybrid version of its 5 series in China from 2013.

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The plug-in is based on the long wheelbase version of the 5 which BMW’s China joint venture, BMW Brilliance Automotive, began building in Shenyang last year.

The car, called ‘New Energy Vehicle’, is based on the ‘mild’ hybrid drivetrain BMW showed last year in the ActiveHybrid 5 concept. That car is equipped with a twin-turbo I6 engine, eight-speed transmission and 40kW electric motor.

The Chinese hybrid plug-in will have an all-electric/’emissions-free’ range of 75km (47 miles) when moving at a constant 60km/h (37mph). Maximum range, including the petrol engine, will be 400km (250 miles).

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