PHEV Leads BMW 5 Series Electrified Powertrain Expansion

Two plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrains lead the electrified expansion of power plant choices for the new BMW BMW 5 Series Sedan.

The car now offers the automaker’s entire range of electrified drive technology. Just a few weeks after the market launch of the all-electric BMW i5 and the combustion engine variants equipped exclusively with 48-volt mild hybrid technology, two plug-in hybrid models will be launched in November 2023.

In the eighth generation of the world's most successful business sedan, the PHEV models claim spontaneous power delivery, clearly increased efficiency and a significantly increased electric range. Both models feature the latest BMW eDrive technology for PHEV systems, which is combined in the BMW 530e Sedan with a four-cylinder gasoline engine and in the BMW 550e xDrive Sedan with an in-line six-cylinder gasoline engine from the BMW Group's latest Efficient Dynamics modular generation.

The powertrains use an electric motor specially developed for the hybrid drive and is also integrated into the 8-speed Steptronic Sport transmission together with its power electronics. The drive unit is particularly efficient and contributes up to 145 kW/194bhp in the BMW 550e Sedan or 135 kW/180bhp (BMW 530e Sedan) to the maximum system output of the two plug-in hybrid sedans.

In combination with the latest generation of BMW eDrive technology for PHEV models, the 3.0-liter in-line six-cylinder gasoline engine in the new BMW 550e xDrive Sedan generates a system output of up to 360 kW/485bhp and a maximum system torque of 516ft-lbs. The plug-in hybrid system puts its power to the road by means of BMW xDrive intelligent all-wheel drive. It claims a sprint from zero to 62 miles in 4.3 seconds. The maximum speed of the BMW 550e xDrive Sedan is electronically cut off at 155 mph. A maximum speed of 87 mph is possible in purely electric operating mode.

The new BMW 530e Sedan has a 2.0-liter in-line four-cylinder gasoline engine with BMW TwinPower Turbo technology and, together with the highly integrated e-drive unit, generates a maximum system output of 220 kW/295bhp. With a maximum system torque of 332ft-lbs, the car claims to accelerate from zero to 62 miles in 6.3 seconds. The top speed is 143 mph and up to 87 mph in fully electric mode.

The system uses the latest version of adaptive recuperation to help recover electrical energy during overrun and braking phases. Thanks to intelligent networking, the drive control system can use navigation data and information from sensors of the driver assistance systems to adjust how much power is recuperated according to the respective traffic situation.

— Paul Myles is a seasoned automotive journalist based in Europe. Follow him on Twitter @Paulmyles_  and Threads