Aside from X5, BMW PH could also bring 7 Series plug-in hybrid

A few days ago, we learned that BMW Philippines distributor SMC Asia Car Distributors Corp. has received regulatory approval for an upcoming passenger vehicle. Based on the information we've learned, the soon-to-be-launched vehicle will apparently be the X5 xDrive 50e, the plug-in hybrid (PHEV) version of the brand's popular crossover SUV.

Fast forward several days later, it appears BMW will also be bringing a PHEV variant of its flagship luxury sedan in the future, the 7 Series. Based on a new regulatory approval the automaker received recently, another passenger vehicle will be powered by a 2998cc engine. No reference weight was mentioned this time around although since the X5 will reportedly get a PHEV variant soon, it stands to reason the flagship luxury sedan may get the same powertrain under the hood.

Should this be the case, we won't be surprised if BMW Philippines brings the 750e xDrive in the not-so-distant future. Based on what other markets get, this particular 7 Series comes with a 3.0L turbo inline-six that's assisted by an electric motor and an 18.7 kWh battery pack. The result is a total system output of 490 PS and 700 Nm of torque which is similar to what the X5 xDrive50e makes. Power is then sent to all four wheels via an 8-speed automatic gearbox.

From a standstill, the 750e xDrive can hit 100 km/h in just 4.8 seconds. It has an electronically-limited top speed of around 250 km/h and an all-electric range of around 55 km.

For now, the automaker remains quiet about the possibility of the BMW 750e xDrive coming to the country. But since BMW already has two regulatory approvals for what appear to be plug-in-hybrids, perhaps we'll find out before the year ends or come 2025.