BMW introduces gorgeous i5 Touring, its first all-electric luxury wagon, but not in the US
BMW is launching its first all-electric luxury wagon, the i5 Touring, with up to 348 miles (560 km) WLTP range. The luxury BMW wagon is more advanced than ever. It’s now more sporty, has new features, and is available in an all-electric form for the first time.
Meet the BMW i5 Touring, an all-electric luxury wagon
After launching the all-electric 5 series last May, BMW is expanding the lineup. The first electric BMW 5-series models arrived at US dealerships in October.
It’s available in two trims: the eDrive40 and a high-performance M60 model. Now, BMW is launching its first electric wagon in the i5 Touring. BMW describes the new Touring model as a “sophisticated all-rounder for everyday driving.”
Compared to the sedan, the Touring’s roof is extended, while an upgraded design enhances its aerodynamics.
The new 5 series wagon is 97 mm (3.8″) longer, 32 mm (1.3″) wide, and 17 mm (0.7″) taller than the previous generation. It also features the longest wheelbase in its class at 2,995 mm (118″).
Despite being bigger, the new model features the same 570 L storage capacity that extends to 1,700 L with the rear seats folded down.
More range, performance, and features
The BMW i5 Touring will be initially available in two versions: the eDrive40 Touring and M60 xDrive. BMW’s high-performance i5 M60 xDrive Touring is powered by dual electric motors with up to 601 hp (442 kW).
With M launch control enabled, the EV’s torque lifts to 605 lb-ft (820 Nm) for a 0 to 62 mph (0-100 km/h) sprint in 3.9 seconds.
Meanwhile, the base i5 eDrive40 Touring includes a rear electric motor with up to 340 hp (250 kW) and 317 lb-ft 430 Nm) torque.
A 81.2 kWh battery powers both models. BMW included adaptive recuperation and a heat pump to boost range. The eDrive 40 gets between 300 to 348 miles (483 to 560 km) WLTP range while the M60 model gets between 277 and 314 miles (445 to 506 km).
The i5 Touring includes 11 kW AC charging standard (with the option of 22 kW) and up to 205 kW DC charging power.
BMW loaded the new electric wagon with its latest tech and software. This includes an enhanced Drive display, BMW OS 8.5, and a redesigned home screen for ease of use. It also includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capabilities as standard.
The standard Live Cockpit Plus includes BMW Maps cloud-based navigation, while the Professional option gets a Head-Up Display and augmented view. A Connected package offers a choice of YouTube or another video app for streaming.
BMW is launching the i5 Touring alongside gas, diesel, and PHEV versions. It will be built at the company’s Dingolfing plant, with the first launches in Germany, “many European countries,” and Japan beginning in May. BMW says other markets will follow in June 2024.
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In this photo illustration, the logo for the US tech firm “Block” is displayed and reflected in a number of digital screens on March 03, 2023 in London, England.
Leon Neal | Getty Images
With its stock down more than 30% this year and revenue growth slowing, Jack Dorsey’s Block is going bigger in lending.
The company on Thursday said it secured approval from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation to originate loans through its banking subsidiary, Square Financial Services, allowing it to offer small-dollar consumer loans directly rather than relying on external banking partners.
It’s an expansion of Cash App Borrow, the company’s short-term lending product. But it comes at a time of increased concerns surrounding consumer credit, with President Trump’s expansive tariffs and widespread government job cuts raising talk of a potential recession.
Transaction losses in Block’s lending segment jumped 39% last quarter, and while the company claims its underwriting model is strong, small-dollar lending is inherently risky.
“Cash App Borrow is designed to provide short-term cash flow in a simple and accessible way when alternatives are notoriously expensive and difficult for consumers to navigate,” Block said in the press release. The company added that the average Cash App Borrow loan was under $100 and about a month in duration.
Block didn’t immediately provide a comment.
In getting approval to operate the lending business out of its own bank, Block says it will be able to offer the product nationwide.
Last month, Block reported quarterly results that missed Wall Street expectations, with revenue growing just 4.5% from a year earlier. The stock plunged 18%, its worst one-day drop since 2020.
Around the same time, Block rolled out Afterpay, its buy now, pay later product, on the Cash App card. Chief Financial Officer Amrita Ahuja told CNBC that the launch aimed to provide customers with more credit options, and positioned Cash App as a banking alternative for some customers. Block acquired Afterpay, which competes with Affirm, for $29 billion in early 2022.
Also this week, Block announced a big investment plan in artificial intelligence.
The company said on Wednesday that it will deploy Nvidia’s AI systems with its latest Blackwell chips to power open-source AI research. Block didn’t say what specifically it’s looking to achieve through its AI buildout, but noted in the press release that it will “start exploring novel solutions for our customers.”
![Kia's first electric van looks even better in person [Video]](https://i0.wp.com/electrek.co/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/03/Kias-first-electric-van-PV5-1.jpeg?resize=1200,628&quality=82&strip=all&ssl=1)
Kia is launching its first electric van, the PV5, later this year. If you liked how it looked in pictures, wait until you see it in real life. A production PV5 was spotted in Korea for the first time, giving us a closer look at the futuristic van. See it for yourself in the video below.
Kia’s first electric van spotted in Korea
After teasing it for what seemed like forever, Kia finally took the sheets off the PV5 at its 2025 EV Day event last month.
With its hard-to-miss futuristic design, the PV5 is a near replica of the concept shown at CES last January. The mid-size electric van is set to kick off Kia’s new Platform Beyond Vehicle (PBV) strategy.
The PV5 will initially be available in Passenger, Cargo, and Chassis Cab setups, but with “unprecedented flexibility,” you can expect to see more options soon. Two of the first will be the PV5 Crew, with additional cargo securing options and a Wheelchair-Accessible Vehicle (WAV) version.
After that, Kia will follow it up with Drop Side, Box Van, Freezer, Box, and Prime variations. It plans to launch a Light Camper conversion.
With sales kicking off in the second half of 2025, Kia’s electric van was spotted in Korea for the first time without camouflage. A new video from HealerTV gives us a better idea of what to expect when the PV5 hits dealerships later this year.
The PV5 maintains its techy, almost ahead-of-its-time design. Two exterior body colors were shown: white and a darker grey or black. As the reporter notes, it actually looks like an upgrade from the concept.
Kia did what it could at the back so it didn’t look like a bus, giving it more of a rounded overall shape. You can see how it stands apart from most MPVs you see today.
Like the Volkswagen ID.Buzz, Kia’s PV5 looks more like a minibus. At 4,695 mm long, 1,895 mm wide, and 1,899 mm tall, Kia’s passenger electric van is slightly smaller than the European ID.Buzz model (4,712 mm long, 1,985 mm wide, 1,937 mm tall).
It will be available with 51.5 kWh and 71.2 kWh battery packs, good for up to 400 km (249 miles) WLTP range. The PV5 can also fast charge (10% to 80%) in about 30 minutes. In comparison, powered by an 84 kWh battery, the ID.Buzz now offers up to 293 miles WLTP range.
Kia will launch sales in Korea and Europe later this year, followed by other global markets in 2026. Pre-orders will open soon, so check back for prices.
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