2024 BMW 530e and 550e PHEVs arrive with 100km EV range
New plug-in hybrid BMW 5 Series variants blend four- and six-cylinder petrol power with an electric motor to offer up to 360kWFresh from launching petrol, diesel and battery-electric versions of the eighth-generation 2024 BMW 5 Series range, BMW has now revealed plug-in hybrid versions of the all-new large luxury sedan.
The 2024 BMW 530e and BMW 550e xDrive will go on sale in Europe this November but are yet to be confirmed for Australia, where the new 520i, i5 eDrive40 and i5 M60 xDrive will be available by the end of this year.
The new BMW 5 Series PHEVs are said to benefit from more power, increased efficiency and a significant increase in EV driving range, with the 530e claimed to cover up to 103km on pure-electric power alone.
Cleverly packaged within the eight-speed automatic transmission casing, alongside all the power electronics, a compact electric motor adds up to 145kW of power in the all-wheel drive 550e and an extra 135kW in the rear-drive 530e.
Combined with a 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder petrol engine, the BMW 550e xDrive puts out a total of 360kW and 700Nm of torque – enough for BMW to claim a 0-100km/h sprint time of just 4.3 seconds and a 250km/h top speed.
In e-mode, BMW says the fastest 5 Series PHEV can travel up to 90km at speeds of up to 140km/h.
The 530e, meanwhile, employs a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol four, delivers total outputs of 220kW/450Nm and is claimed to hit 100km/h in 6.3sec and a 230km/h top speed.
The 530e comes with a WLTP-verified zero-emissions range of 103km.
Helping enhance efficiency for both cars is special underbody panelling and air deflectors designed to reduce drag – measures that are said to deliver 10km of pure-electric range.
On the road, both the 530e and 550e xDrive come with BMW’s clever adaptive energy recuperation system, which uses data from the sat-nav and driver assistance sensors to adjust how much power is clawed back and when.
A compact 19.2kWh lithium-ion battery is stored underneath each vehicle and is said to lower their centre of gravity, providing better handling while maintaining a decent 520-litre boot capacity.
The new battery can now be topped up at a rate of 7.4kW, with a 0-100 per cent charge now claimed to take as little as three hours and 15 minutes. The same process using a conventional power outlet takes 11 hours 45 minutes, says BMW.
Other changes over the core 5 Series sedan include a set of new 19-inch alloy wheels and the addition of a new soundscape scored by film music composer, Hans Zimmer.
As standard, the 550e xDrive flagship gets BMW’s Adaptive Chassis Professional system including a lower ride height, active dampers and rear-wheel steering.
There’s no word yet on whether either of the two new plug-in hybrid models are destined for Australia, but in Germany the BMW 530e is priced from €65,300 ($A108,000), while the faster and more powerful 550e xDrive costs €77,300 ($A128,000).
In Australia, the base 520i will be priced from $114,900, while the i5 eDrive40 costs $155,900 and the i5 M60 XDrive costs $215,900.
BMW M is expected to deliver its own plug-in hybrid powertrain for the next-generation BMW M5 super sedan and M5 Touring wagon, combining a single electric motor with a small battery and its mighty twin-turbo 4.4-litre V8 to produce a herculean 560kW and 1000Nm.
The new M5 is due on sale in Australia in around 12 months from now, but sadly for wagon lovers it’s unlikely the BMW 5 Series Touring will be sold Down Under.
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