In March 2017, a plug-in hybrid variant of the all new BMW 5 Series will complete the 5 Series range. Featuring technology derived directly from the BMW i brand, the BMW 530e iPerformance Saloon offers a dynamic driving experience with exceptionally efficient performance as well as all-electric mobility with zero tailpipe emissions, as and when required.

The intelligently controlled interaction between the combustion engine and the electric drive, which together generate a total system output of 252hp, gives the BMW 530e Saloon rapid acceleration while offering a substantial reduction in fuel consumption and emissions. The BMW 530e achieves combined fuel consumption of 141.2mpg, and a combined electricity consumption of 9.2kWh with CO2 emissions of just 46g/km.

The BMW eDrive system’s state-of-the-art electric motor has an output of 95hp and maximum torque of 250Nm, while the four-cylinder combustion engine with its 2.0-litre displacement generates 184hp and 320Nm of torque. The overall system output of 252hp and combined peak torque of 420Nm allows the BMW 530e to sprint from zero to 62mph in 6.2 seconds and enable it to reach a top speed of 146mph while CO2 emissions of the BMW 530e are just 46g/km.

The BMW 530e iPerformance has a range of nearly 400 miles in real-world driving and is capable of covering distances of up to 29 miles using purely electric power at a maximum speed of 87mph. The electric motor and combustion engine direct their power to the saloon’s rear wheels via the standard eight-speed Steptronic transmission. Positioning the electric motor upstream from the transmission allows the transmission’s ratios to be used in all-electric mode too. This dispenses with the need for a torque converter, reducing the overall weight of the vehicle.

The high-voltage battery pack, consisting of lithium-ion cells with a total capacity of 9.2kWh, has been placed in a space-saving location underneath the rear seat and includes efficient refrigerant cooling with a highly integrated low-temperature circuit. Thanks to the battery’s neat installation, the BMW 530e Saloon offers 410 litres of boot capacity and a flat load compartment floor. The high-voltage battery of the BMW 530e Saloon can be fully charged in under five hours from a standard domestic power socket and in under three hours if it is hooked up to a BMW i Wallbox (3.7 kW charging capacity).

The BMW 530e is the latest Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) in the BMW range following the BMW X5 xDrive40e, BMW 225xe, BMW 330e, BMW 740e and the BMW 740Le xDrive. All models benefit from the technology and know-how transferred from BMW’s i brand. The BMW 530e is available to order from mid-January and OTR prices start at £43,985.