BMW launched the eight-generation 5 Series in May. It came to market with mild hybrid powertrains and as an all-electric version. Now, the 5 Series gets two plug-in hybrid (PHEV) options – the 530e and 550e xDrive. But the most important thing is that the Bavarians didn't downsize the mechanical beating heart hiding under the hood of the 545e's successor. Here's what you need to know.
At the time of writing, the new BMW 5 Series is available in the US as the mild hybrid 530i (RWD and AWD), the all-electric i5 eDrive40 (RWD), and the i5 M60 (AWD). Fret not; the M5 Touring was confirmed to land in America in 2024 as a 2025 model-year unit, so stay tuned for the wagon to make its debut. Don't buy that crossover or SUV just yet.
In Germany, prospective BMW customers can only buy the sedan, too. Their extra perk comes in the form of a diesel powerplant option. That's it. They also don't get the more practical wagon yet.
Now, BMW decided to add two plug-in hybrid options to the updated 5 Series lineup. They're going to enter production soon and become available starting November 2023.
The 530e sports a 2.0-liter four-cylinder gas-powered engine and an electric motor. The latter is integrated into the eight-speed Steptronic transmission, ensuring power is administered correctly. The PHEV has a maximum power output of 299 hp and up to 332 lb-ft (450 Nm) of torque. It goes from zero to 62 mph in 6.3 seconds. The top speed is limited to 143 mph (230 kph).
The 550e xDrive gets the well-known six-cylinder engine and a slightly more potent electric motor. Together, they help the executive sedan reach a maximum power output of 489 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque (700 Nm). It sprints from naught to 62 mph (100 kph) in 4.3 seconds. It'll keep going until it reaches 155 mph (250 kph).
Both the 530e and 550e xDrive can drive at speeds of up to 87 mph (140 kph) in pure EV mode. But in the former, the electric drive unit has an output of 184 hp; in the latter, it develops 197 hp.
Photo: BMW
The maximum WLTP-rated all-electric range of the 530e is 62 mi (100 km). The 550e xDrive enjoys 56 mi (90 km) of pure EV driving. That's possible thanks to a high-voltage battery of 19.4 kWh usable capacity. It can charge at speeds of up to 7.4 kW per hour. The automaker says it'll need nearly 12 hours to charge from naught to 100% at any normal household socket or a little over three hours when hooked to a Level 2 charger.
The maximum torque figures offered by the electric motor are available only temporarily. In all other situations except when accelerating spiritedly, the nominal output is 207 lb-ft (280 Nm). That ability to temporarily increase the torque was made possible through a "pre-transmission" that's hooked to the engine-side transmission input. It helped BMW avoid installing a larger electric motor.
The new BMW PHEVs can now be ordered in Europe. The 530e's cost starts from €65,300 ($69,032), while the 550e xDrive incurs a premium of €12,000 ($12,686).
Both prices include the value-added tax (VAT), so expect slightly lower prices when the 530e eventually arrives stateside. That's the only 5 Series PHEV Americans got with the previous generation. Maybe BMW will bring the 550e xDrive in the US this time around.
The 530e and 550e xDrive get the IconicSounds feature as standard, so you can listen to what Hans Zimmer envisioned the acceleration to sound like for the all-electric era. Fret not; it can be turned off. You'll be able to take advantage of the full luxurious driving experience.
Lastly, the 550e xDrive boasts more equipment. It comes with the Adaptive Chassis Professional option that includes Integral Active Steering. The car also sits lower to the ground than the 530e. Thus, it's not just the engine with two extra cylinders that commands that higher price.
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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