New BMW 5 Series Plug-In Hybrid: More Information And New Pictures Revealed

Sep. 27, 2023 4:13 PM ET byJarryd Neves Luxury /4 Comments

The 550e xDrive will touch down in America next year.

宝马美国最近证实,550 exDrive plug-in hybrid derivativewould arrive in America in 2024, sporting a $73,800 price tag.

The automaker has now shared additional details about the5 SeriesPHEV, giving us a better idea of what to expect when it touches down in the spring of next year.

BMW will offer the 5 Series plug-in hybrid in 530e and 550e xDrive flavors. Only the latter will be offered locally, providing buyers with a powerful yet efficient choice.

Utilizing a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six, the 550e xDrive boasts combined outputs of 483 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque. With a motivated driver and a heavy right foot, the big Bimmer will reach 62 mph in 4.3 seconds before hitting the electronic speed limiter at 155 mph. In electric mode, the maximum speed is pegged at 87 mph.

No EPA estimates exist for the new models, butWLTP figuressuggest the 550e can travel up to 56 miles on electric power alone.

The 530e is not coming to the US and that's a shame as it offers a healthy blend of performance and efficiency. A 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder works with the electric motor to produce 295 hp and 332 lb-ft. The 530e can reach 62 mph in 6.3 seconds and has a top speed of 143 mph. Like its more potent sibling, the 530e is limited to 87 mph in electric mode. WLTP estimates peg the all-electric range at 54-62 miles.

The electric motor itself is housed in the eight-speed Steptronic gearbox. It's a cleverly designed system that allows the nominal torque figure of 207 lb-ft to be increased to 332 lb-ft thanks to a pre-transmission applied to the engine-side transmission input. As a result, the small electric motor can generate the same torque as a larger electric motor. BMW says drivers will notice this extra muscle when accelerating.

The 19.4-kWh battery can be charged at speeds of up to 7.4 kW, and needs just three hours and 15 minutes to charge from 0-100%. When plugged into a regular household socket, charging takes 11 hours and 45 minutes.

BMW has gone out of its way to ensure the 5 Series PHEV still feels like a genuine BMW. The lithium-ion battery has been repositioned in the vehicle's underbody, which lowers the center of gravity and improves handling dynamics. It also enhances boot space, with both models offering 18.4 cu.ft. of packing space.

Both models receive enhanced standard equipment compared to conventional ICE-powered models. Aside from 19-inch wheels, the 530e and 550e xDrive receive theBMW IconicSounds Electricfeature, which plays unique sounds developed by renowned composer Hans Zimmer.

Adaptive Chassis Professional and Integral Active Steering are standard on the 550e xDrive. Later this year, BMW USAwill introduce the 540i xDriveto the local BMW lineup.