BMW 530e and BMW 550e xDrive PHEV hybrids are presented: 100+ km on electricity
We have already talked about the new BMW 5-Series G60: back then, gasoline and diesel versions of the car, as well as the BMW i5 electric car, debuted. However, the time has come to add an intermediate option in the form of a plug-in hybrid: the so-called PHEV or Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle. Moreover, the new “five” gets two such hybrid versions at once: BMW 530e and BMW 550e xDrive.
The BMW 530e sedan is ready to offer a gasoline 4-cylinder 2-liter engine in combination with a 135-kilowatt electric motor. The total output of the hybrid system is 299 hp, which is enough to accelerate from 0-100 km/h in 6.3 seconds and reach 230 km/h top speed. The transmission is a traditional 8-speed automatic and rear-wheel drive.
The BMW 550e xDrive version already has a 6-cylinder 3-liter engine, plus it has an increased (145 kW) electric motor power. This makes a total of 489 horses, which are transmitted to all four wheels and provide acceleration from 0-100 km/h in 4.3 seconds and a top speed of 250 km/h.
The two hybrids – the BMW 530e and the BMW 550e xDrive – use the same 19.4 kWh battery pack, which can be fully charged in 3 hrs. 15 minutes using a 7.4 kW charger.
It is clear that the more economical and frugal 530e version of the hybrid can cover a longer distance on battery power – about 93-103 km, depending on driving conditions. The more powerful 550e version will travel 10 km less – about 83-90 km.
And the two hybrids differ significantly not only in power/drive/range, but also in price (which is already known for the German market) – from 65,300 euros or 77,300 euros, respectively.