BMW has updated the plug-in hybrid version of the
5-Series with a new, larger battery pack and added its xDrive all-wheel drive
system as an option, making the 530e even better than before. Thanks to the advances in battery
cell technology, BMW was able to ditch the previous 9.2kWh pack in favor of a
new 12kWh unit, which retains the same physical size and therefore doesn’t
steal any additional space from the 530e’s luggage compartment.
The larger battery results into an electric range of
up to 57km for the new BMW 530e (53km for the 530e
xDrive), always according to the WLTP cycle. The updated BMW 530e can be fully
charged using a conventional house socket in less than six hours, or 3 hours
and 35 minutes if you use the BMW I Wallbox.
Aside from the new battery, the powertrain was also
updated with BMW’s latest eDrive technology, which reduced the combined fuel
consumption and CO2 emissions by over 20 percent. The official figures state
that the 530e now returns 176mpg UK (1.6lt/100km) and emits just 36gr of CO2
per km. As before, the BMW 530e is powered by a combination of a 181 hp
turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with a 111hp electric motor,
resulting into a system output of 248 hp and 420 Nm of torque.
An eight-speed automatic transmission is the only option.
BMW claims that the new 530e is capable of a 0-100 km/h in 6.1 seconds and of a 235 km/h top speed. In pure electric
mode, top speed is capped at 140 km/h. The plug-in hybrid member of the
BMW 5-Series also comes fitted with an auxiliary air conditioning system,
allowing owners to precondition the interior of their vehicle remotely via the
BMW Connected smartphone app.
