Feel the power!
BMW Australia has released full details and prices for the incoming 530e iPerformance plug-in hybrid (PHEV), which is set to arrive in local showrooms next month. With prices starting at $108,900 (before ORCs), the electrified 5er will be priced identically as the 530i we’re already familiar with, while bringing to the table significantly improved fuel economy and more torque.
Motivation for the 530e comes from a petrol-electric hybrid powertrain, marrying a 135kW/290Nm turbocharged 2.0-litre petrol engine with a 83kW/250Nm electric motor. Combined power is rated at 185kW and 420Nm; In comparison, the conventional 530i puts out an identical 185kW but a substantially lower torque figure at just 350Nm.
With fully-charged batteries, the 530e claims an electric driving range of 43km, easily covering the urban commute. Together with the petrol engine, fuel consumption is rated at a miserly 2.3L/100km (only slightly more than the claimed fuel consumption figure of the Volvo XC90 T8 PHEV at 2.1L/100km, which also uses a 2.0-litre petrol-electric hybrid combination). The 530e can sprint from rest to 100km/h in just 6.2-seconds.
The 530e can be distinguished by its non-hybrid siblings by several exterior touches. There are blue kidney grille slats up front, blue wheel-hub covers, and eDrive baking smattered about the exterior.
The 530e carries with it most of the specification of the 530i, with things like the large 10.25-inch Navigation Professional iDrive infotainment system, wireless smartphone charging, a heads-up display, 19-inch alloys, an electric tailgate, LED headlights, a 16-speaker Harman/Kardon sound system, and front sports seats with heating. Unique touches for the 530e include things like acoustic pedestrian protection (which makes a noise outside the car when it’s cruising in silent all-electric mode), eDrive features, a charging cable, and a 6yr/100,000km battery certificate. Intelligent cruise control, semi-autonomous driving technology, cross-traffic alert, and a surround view camera also get lobbed on as standard.
Several driving modes are available to the 530e, with drivers able to choose between Auto eDrive, Max eDrive, and Battery Control. Auto eDrive monitors driving conditions and regulates power flow from the battery to “interact to optimum effect” with the petrol engine, and allows for electric cruising of up to 90km/h. Max eDrive increases the electric top speed to 140km/h, and maintains full-electric propulsion until full power is asked, at which point the petrol engine kicks in.
Battery Control allows drivers to dictate how much power the car should maintain (between 30%-100% charge), and keeps that charge in reserve, should full-electric propulsion be best utilised at a later point.
The BMW 530e is available for order now, and we look forward to seeing how it fares against its lighter, conventionally-powered sibling.
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