More BMW iPerformance models for Oz

With Europe targeting group CO2 emissions of 95g/km by 2020, expect to see more manufacturers embracing PHEV, EV and other alternative-fuelled vehicles to shift beneath that target.

While Europe still has a way to go, with 124g/km averages across all manufacturers in 2014, Australia is still-further behind, moving from 177g/km in 2014 to only 175g/km in 2015.

BMW Australia’s head of market and product planning, Shawn Ticehurst, pointed out that BMW leads the emissions charge in Australia, with an average of 149g/km for its vehicles in this country; significantly lagging behind Europe and ranking us 30th on the global list.

With this background, Ticehurst says that it made sense to introduce BMW’s latest iPerformance plug-in hybrid products to its two best sellers in Australia first.

“Although the new iPerformance sub-brand was introduced with 7 Series in Europe, we looked at what worked best for this market,” he said.

“We made the decision with X5 as it’s absolutely right for this market, being our best seller.

“The 3 Series sedan will follow next, our number-two seller,” he added, telling motoring.com.au that the 7 Series iPerformance range is “being evaluated for this market right now.”

Ticehurst is realistic in his initial hopes for X5 xDrive40e sales, believing the model will sit under the xDrive40d diesel on the sales ladder.

Other vehicles, such as a potential iPerformance-branded version of the next-generation 5 Series would also draw interest from BMW Australia.

“We expect the new 5 Series in Australia next year, with petrol and diesel options,” Ticehurst said.

“[5 Series] iPerformance hasn’t been finalised yet, but it’s another we’d consider if available.”

Speaking of the 5 Series more broadly, Ticehurst wouldn’t be drawn on if the next M5/M6 would offer all-wheel drive as recently rumoured, or if we could one day see an amalgam of i and M product to bust the 2020 emissions regulations.

“No, it’s currently pretty clear there’s models in each camp. M Performance and iPerformance models provide a nice bridge between M and i and the core of the range. We don’t expect any intertwining of the sub-brands,” he explained.

Ticehurst did however show interest in the upcoming X7 ultra-luxury (and even-larger than X5) SUV that was recently announced for production. Still in the planning phase, it’s not clear which drivetrains the X7 will be offered with.

“The love of the luxury SUV in Australia – look at the way X5 has been accepted – indicates to me there’s a bigger market for them. [X7] is not going to overtake X5 in terms of getting 4000 sales, but relative to its market size there’s definite potential,” he said.