BMW doesn't want us to get stuck between choosing a mild hybrid or an all-electric 5 Series. So, it just launched the plug-in hybrid version of the executive sedan. It comes in two flavors, and we found our favorite. Here's what we configured.
The 2024 BMW 5 Series is now available over the pond in two versions – 530e and 550e xDrive. The former is rear-wheel drive and has a 2.0-liter four-cylinder under the hood, and the latter gets the 3.0-liter straight-six powerplant.
BMW tweaked some stuff to make these models more capable. Thanks to a patented solution, the maximum torque output of the electric motor integrated into the transmission can temporarily grow from 207 lb-ft to 332 lb-ft.
That's all great, but we're more interested in the powerplant that consumes gas. Thus, our build process begins with the 550e xDrive. It just makes sense to pair the already capable in-line six-cylinder engine (that's also known for being reliable) with an electric motor and a high-voltage battery.
We used BMW UK's configurator, and the first thing we noticed was the price. The 550e xDrive is available in two trims – M Sport and M Sport Pro. Everything the Bavarians make seems to be M-ified nowadays. We won't dwell on it for too long.
The 2024 BMW 550e xDrive M Sport has a starting cost of £76,605 ($93,086), while the M Sport Pro trim adds a £3000 ($3,645) premium.
A plug-in hybrid is supposed to be the best of both worlds, so we won't focus on accentuated driving dynamics first and foremost. The executive sedan is already a pretty sporty car, and the whole point of a PHEV is to reduce our dependency on fossil fuels, not enhance it.
Our all-wheel-drive 550e xDrive M Sport has a power output of up to 489 hp, and that's more than enough for a posh commuting appliance or a family car used for vacations and longer journeys.
Photo: BMW
Now comes the hard part. We must start building it. After some careful consideration, we chose the following options:
Cape York Green metallic color because it reminded us of Dravit Gray and its great gold flakes that shone in the sunlight and transformed the look of the vehicle it was painted with;
Individual Merino leather in Copper Brown and Atlas Grey for a more refined interior look that's not too prone to stains nor too dark;
Individual fine-wood Finel. trim with an open-pored inlay that blends marvelously with the Merino leather color combination;
The Technology Plus Pack because it added the hand gesture control, the driving assistant "professional," the interior camera, the improved dashboard functionality, and the advanced head-up display;
The Comfort Plus Pack because it is what makes a BMW 5 Series feel like a real 5 Series with its automatic tailgate, four-zone climate control, keyless access, better front seats, heated steering wheel, heated rear seats, and heated and ventilated front seats;
The thermally insulated glass, panoramic roof, towbar, and sunshades for the rear passengers.
Weirdly, BMW didn't allow us to select any other rims than the ones the car comes with. Maybe we were too early, or it left this thing up to the dealer for some extra revenue.
We ended up with a cost of £91,975 ($117,750) that included VAT and the handling charge. We'll leave it up to you to decide whether it's worth it. Don't hesitate to check the attached spec sheet and share your preferred options with us in the comments. We'd love to hear your thoughts!
Car shows on TV and his father's Fiat Tempra may have been Florin's early influences, but nowadays he favors different things, like the power of an F-150 Raptor. He'll never be able to ignore the shape of a Ferrari though, especially a yellow one. Full profile
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