G60 BMW 5 Series Gets New 530e & 550e PHEV Variants

The G60-gen BMW 5 Series gets two new plug-in hybrid variants in Germany

BMW has expanded its G60-gen BMW 5 Series lineup by adding two new plug-in hybrid (PHEV) variants – the 530e and 550e xDrive. Set to debut in Germany and other selected European markets this Nov, these two upcoming PHEV models will sit alongside the current petrol and diesel-powered variants of the new 5 Series model.

G60-gen BMW 530e plug-in hybrid

Starting with the 530e, this new variant is powered by a PHEV powertrain setup consisting of a 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbocharged mill that is mated to a single eDrive electric motor to deliver a total system output of 295 HP (220 kW) and 450 NM. Mated to an eight-speed Steptronic Sport automatic gearbox, the 530e can accelerate from nought to 100 KM/H in 6.3 seconds, en route to its limited V-max of 230 KM/H.

Meanwhile, the up-specced 550e xDrive gets a peppier PHEV setup courtesy of a 3.0-litre inline-six mill that is paired to single motor setup to deliver a total system output of 483 HP (360 kW) and 700 NM. This allows the 550e xDrive to hit a faster century sprint time of 4.3 seconds, as well as an improved V-max of 250 KM/H.

Both new PHEV models get the same 19.3-kWh battery pack, with up to 103 KM of EV range

Both PHEV models are juiced by the same 19.4-kWh battery pack that is bolted underneath their body for better weight balance and storage capacity. On a single charge, said pack grants the 530e with a maximum EV-only range of 103 KM, while the 550e xDrive gets a slightly-discounted EV range of 90 KM – both according to the WLTP cycle.

With an AC charging capacity of 7.4 kW, said battery pack can be fully-charged in just 3 hours and 15 minutes, though said time frame can be stretched out to 12 hours if you’re using the household plug outlet instead.

The BMW 530e PHEV does not look that much difference from both the ICE-powered 5 Series and the i5

Visually, both the 530e and 550e xDrive models look somewhat similar to other variants of the new 5 Series, featuring bolder design elements that are derived from its all-electric counterpart, the BMW i5. Aside from the blue ring surrounding the BMW emblem and respective models’ badges, the only notable difference here is the presence of the Type-2 charging port, which is located at the left side of the front fender.

Set to make its market entry in Germany later in Nov, the BMW 5 Series PHEV models start at €65,300 (RM324,542) for the 530e variant, while the top-specced 5503 xDrive commands a heftier €77,300 (RM384,182) price tag.

As for now, neither BMW nor BMW Malaysia have announced any plans of bringing in the new 5 Series PHEV models into our local market, with the i5 EV saloon so far being the only confirmed next-gen 5 Series model to be launched here. For reference, BMW Malaysia actually did offer the previous-gen BMW 530e with an M Sport guise here in Malaysia, with said locally-assembled (CKD) model priced at RM360,800 on-the-road.