BMW 530e iPerformance has finally been launched in Malaysia. The petrol-electric executive sedan arrives in locally-assembled form (CKD) with a much cheaper retail price but with a slightly lower level of standard kit.

Available in just a single Sport Line variant, the 530e costs RM 343,800 on-the-road without insurance. Included in the price is a five-year, unlimited-mileage warranty, five years’ free scheduled maintenance and a two-year tyre warranty.


Under the bonnet sits the ubiquitous B48 2.0 litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine, here making 184 hp from 5,000 to 6,500 rpm and 290 Nm of torque from 1,350 to 4,250 rpm. This is paired to a 113 hp/250 Nm electric motor to produce a total system output of 252 hp and 420 Nm of torque.

The electric motor is integrated to the ZF eight-speed automatic transmission, which allows the ratios to be used in all-electric mode and negates the need for a torque converter. This helps offset the additional weight brought on by the motor and the battery.


All this means that the 530e is capable of sprinting from 0-100 km/h in just 6.2 seconds before hitting a top speed of 235 km/h. Combined fuel consumption on the European NEDC cycle is rated at 2.0 litres per 100 km, while carbon dioxide emissions are quoted at 46 grams per kilometre.

Under the rear seats sits a 9.2 kWh lithium-ion battery, enabling the 530e to run in electric mode at speeds of up to 140 km/h, with an all-electric range of 48 km – 13 km further than the smaller 330e. Real-world range in hybrid mode is pegged at 644 km. BMW says that charging the battery takes under five hours from a domestic socket, or under three hours with the 3.7 kW BMW i Wallbox.


Onwards to standard kit, and to the items the 530e loses compared to the 530i. Aside from missing out on the M Sport appearance package, it also doesn’t get adaptive LED headlights (full-LED headlights still remain, of course), a sunroof, a head-up display, the gimmicky Gesture Control system, the touchscreen-equipped BMW Display Key and the 16-speaker Harman Kardon sound system. 

The rest of the equipment remains, including LED fog lights, 19-inch alloy wheels (in a different V-spoke design), BMW Individual satin aluminium exterior trim, Comfort Access keyless entry, power-adjustable sports seats with driver’s side memory, four-zone auto climate control, sunblinds for the rear windows (manual) and windscreen (electric), 11-colour ambient lighting, a hands-free powered bootlid and Dynamic Damper Control.


You also get the upgraded Professional navigation system with a 10.25-inch touchscreen, along with a full 12.3-inch multifunction instrument display, a reverse camera and Park Assistant for automated parallel and perpendicular parking manoeuvres, plus a 12-speaker, 205-watt HiFi sound system.

Safety-wise, the 530e comes with the Driving Assistant package that adds Approach Control Warning and Person Warning with City Brake function, operating at speeds between 10 km/h and 60 km/h for pedestrians and 80 km/h for vehicles. Other features included in the pack include Lane Departure Warning, Lane Change Warning, rear collision prevention and rear crossing traffic warning.

Buyers can choose between Glacier Silver Metallic, Alpine White, Mediterranean Blue Metallic, Carbon Black Metallic and Bluestone Metallic exterior colours, while black (with contrasting white stitching and piping) or Cognac Dakota leather upholstery feature inside.