What's the news?
BMW's entry into the premium plug-in hybrid foray will be hitting the road in March of next year. The new 530e iPerformance draws on lessons learnt from the existing plug-in hybrid models in BMW's range. It's touted as being the most efficient 5 Series yet, and boasts combined fuel consumption of 141.2mpg with CO2 emissions of 46g/km. Let's run through the list of changes.
Exterior
The outside features some subtle visual hints of the 530e's powertrain. The iconic kidney grille and wheel hub covers are both tinted blue, "eDrive" badges adorn the C pillars and there's "530e" script on the bootlid. The most important feature is of course the new charging socket, located between the front wheelarch and A-pillar on the passenger side.
Interior
It's the same story when you open the doors, with the sills featuring illuminated "eDrive" logos and an eDrive button on the centre console. The instrument cluster features altered displays custom to the 530e, and the car's functions are controlled via the latest iteration of BMW's iDrive, with gesture control also present.
Mechanicals
A 2.0-litre 184hp petrol engine is paired with a 95hp electric motor, giving the 530e a total output of 252hp. This equates to a 0-100km/h time of 6.2 seconds and a top speed of almost 250km/h, no doubt helped by the 420Nm of torque available. A range of over 600km is said to be achievable in real-world conditions, and the car can cover 46km on electric power alone with a maximum speed of 140km/h.
The ubiquitous ZF eight-speed automatic transmission is utilised, and the positioning of the electric motor means that the full complement of ratios can be used in electric mode, eliminating the need for a torque converter. Full charge can be achieved in five hours from mains power, with under three hours charging time possible if BMW's I Wallbox is used.
The aforementioned eDrive button features three modes; AUTO eDRIVE, MAX eDRIVE and a battery control function. The first mode is the default setting, and ensures optimum interaction between combustion engine and electric motor. MAX eDRIVE uses electric power only, but can be overridden by pressing the throttle pedal through to kickdown, allowing the petrol engine to kick in in the event of an overtake or similar situation. The final function gives control over the battery's power reserves and charging, for example allowing 100 per cent electric charge to be stored for an urban area while travelling on a motorway.
Anything else?
The same driver assistance features as the rest of the new 5 Series range also feature, along with BMW Connected Onboard, which gives multiple connectivity options. Microsoft Exchange even makes an appearance, allowing owners to stay productive while on the road. There's no official Irish price just yet, but with the car available to order in the UK from mid-January onwards, you shouldn't have to wait too long for further details.
Keep an eye on www.bmw.ie or visit your local dealer more information.