When we think of plug-in hybrid cars, a big luxury sedan isn't usually the first vehicle that comes to mind. But that's just what we've spied today as BMW engineers have begun work on a plug-in hybrid version of their 5-series sedan.
The small fuel door hiding the charging port is easy to see on this prototype, and the port has a red sticker over it that warns of "high voltage" and tells the driver not to open the charging port.
BMW actually showed a 5-series plug-in concept car in April of 2011 at the Shanghai Motor Show that would manage 47 miles of all electric range, assuming you didn't exceed 37 miles an hour. Though we'd guess BMW engineers have made some improvements on that for the production model.
Additionally, the entire 5-series range will get a moderate design update, with a new front and rear fascia, as well as freshened headlights and taillights.
