The electrification of the BMW lineup is just at the beginning of its course, yet we’ve already seen several plug-in hybrids being embedded within the most important BMW models. Take for example the 2018 BMW 530e, the first plug-in for the business sedan, which not only delivers great efficiency, but also impressive power.
At the 2017 New York Auto Show, the 530e took the center stage at the BMW exhibit, emphasizing once again its importance and position within the brand.
The fourth addition to BMW’s iPerformance vehicle lineup, the new 530e iPerformance is probably BMW’s best. Being that it’s based on the new G30 BMW 5 Series, it packs the Bavarian brand’s latest suite of luxury technologies, as well as its latest autonomous driving aids and technologies. But it also features BMW’s latest eDrive plug-in powertrain.
The BMW 530e iPerformance packs a 2.0 liter TwinPower turbocharged four-cylinder engine, which develops 180 hp and 215 lb-ft of torque. That engine is paired with an electric motor that makes 95 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque. Combined, they develop 248 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque.
The BMW 530e iPerformance Sedan runs from 0 to 60 mph in 6.0 seconds and the BMW 530e xDrive iPerformance Sedan in 5.8 seconds.
The BMW 530e iPerformance also comes with the entire suite of BMW’s autonomous driving aids, which can be used in conjunction with eDrive mode. So, under fully electric power, the 530e is capable of driving itself a bit. Using the Blind Spot Detection System, Active Lane Keeping Assistant and Side Collision Avoidance systems, the 530e is capable of keeping itself in lanes, changing lanes on its own and driving itself in slow traffic, using Traffic Jam Assist. These systems can be engaged at speeds from 0-130 mph and use the latest algorithms and improved image recognition to keep the vehicle in its lane and on course.
Another new feature to the BMW 5 Series is the Evasion Aid, which comes with the Active Driving Assistant Plus package and allows the 530e to make evasive maneuvers on its own. For example, if a car ahead of the 5 Series brakes aggressively, to the point where there will be a collision, the 5 Series can check its sides for any oncoming vehicles and, if clear, will make an evasive maneuver to avoid the braking car ahead. This system works at speeds up to 100 mph.
The 2018 BMW 530e iPerformance Sedan is available starting at $51,400 and the BMW 530e xDrive iPerformance Sedan for $53,700, plus $995 Destination and Handling.
