Following the introduction of the all-new BMW 5 Series G60 with mild-hybrid powertrains and the all-electric BMW i5, the line-up has been completed with the latest introduction of two plug-in hybrid electric (PHEV) models, the BMW 530e and the BMW 550e xDrive, with both set for a November 2023 launch in Europe before making its way to other markets.

As the 8th generation of the world’s most successful business sedan, there’s a lot riding on the new 5 Series. BMW promises the PHEV variants will have good power delivery, increased efficiency and a significantly longer pure electric range.

Both models feature the latest BMW eDrive technology for PHEVs, which sees it combined in the 530e with a four-cylinder petrol engine and in the BMW 550e xDrive with an inline six-cylinder petrol mill.

Also Read: All-new G60 2023 BMW 5 Series and i5 revealed - MHEV, PHEV, EV, up to 601 PS/820 Nm

Like most PHEVs, the electric motor is integrated into the 8-speed Steptronic Sport transmission. In the 530e that Malaysia will likely offer, the 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with BMW TwinPower Turbo tech and the electric motor deliver a maximum output of 303 PS and 450 Nm of torque.

That makes it good for a century sprint in 6.3-second and a top speed of 230 km/h, or up to 140 km/h in pure electric mode.

The 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder petrol engine and electric motor make up to 496 PS and maximum of 700 Nm of torque. With xDrive sending it to all four wheels, the century sprint is a scant 4.3-second and the top speed a limited 250 km/h.

A patented BMW innovation sees a pre-transmission applied to the electric motor to multiply the nominal torque of 280 Nm up to 450 Nm. This allows the compact electric motor to deliver more torque.

Also Read: Used F10 BMW 5-Series - An easy way up executive alley from RM 52k? What to look out for and how much to repair?

Longer commutes are now possible without any emissions as the pure electric range of the 530e is between 93-103 km and a slightly shorter 83-90 km for the 550e xDrive.

BMW claims that the improved electric range is owed to refined aerodynamic properties. special panelling and air deflection elements contribute to an optimised underbody structure that minimises air resistance to increase the electric range.

Furthermore, adaptive recuperation also helps to recover electrical energy during braking. BMW has further integrated the various systems that sees the drive control system using navigation data and information from other sensors to adjust the amount of recuperation.

Clever packaging has meant that the lithium-ion battery in the PHEV variants don’t eat up cargo space as they both share the same volume of 520 litres with the pure petrol variants.

It has a increased usable energy content of up to 19.4 kWh with charging times from zero to 100 percent done within 3 hours and 15 minutes. At a conventional household socket, that climbs to 11 hour and 45 minutes.

Additional tech over the mild hybrid variants includes larger 19-inch light alloy wheels and the BMW IconicSounds Electric. The latter is simply a function that provides acoustic feedback based on the throttle movement in electric mode. Interestingly, the sounds are a product of renowned film music composer Hans Zimmer.

Lastly, the most eye-catching part of the interior is the BMW Interaction Bar. It’s part of the ambient lighting equipment and the backlit functional unit with crystalline surface structure extends across the entire width of the instrument panel into the door panels with touch-sensitive control panels for controlling ventilation and air conditioning.