Today, BMW announces the latest addition to its iPerformance line-up, the first ever BMW 530e iPerformance. The BMW 530e iPerformance is a sport sedan that serves up the dynamic driving experience for which the brand is renowned, combined with the option of electric driving. The BMW 530e iPerformance offers the full breath of BMW 5 Series Advanced Driver Assistance systems and the latest technology just premiered in the all-new BMW 5 Series, now with eDrive plug-in hybrid powertrain technology. As for its power source, trailblazing BMW eDrive technology teams up with a BMW TwinPower Turbo gasoline engine to create an exceptionally efficient and powerful plug-in hybrid drive system that fits perfectly with the dynamic, smooth and luxurious character profile of the new BMW 5 Series. The iPerformance badge attached to all of BMW’s plug-in hybrid models bear testimony to the transfer of engineering excellence from BMW i. In the U.S., the BMW 530e iPerformance is the fourth member of a growing portfolio of iPerformance models already available at U.S. dealers.

The 2018 BMW 5 Series iPerformance will be available at U.S. dealers in spring 2017. Pricing will be announced closer to market launch.

Power delivery on all electric.

The BMW eDrive system’s electric motor has an output of 95 hp and offers maximum torque of 184 lb-ft on tap, while the 4-cylinder TwinPower Turbo combustion engine with its 2.0-liter displacement generates 180 hp and 215 lb-ft of torque (preliminary). The overall system output of 248hp (preliminary) and combined peak torque of 310 lb-ft (preliminary) propel the BMW 530e iPerformance from 0 to 60 mph in 6.1 seconds (preliminary) and enable it to reach a top speed of 130 mph (preliminary). The electric motor and combustion engine direct their power to the sedan’s rear wheels in the BMW 530i Sedan or all four wheels in the BMW 530i xDrive sedan via the standard 8-speed Steptronic transmission with paddle shifters. 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, something that goes a long way towards offsetting the weight penalty of the additional drive unit.

The high-voltage battery pack consisting of lithium-ion cells with a total capacity of 9.2 kWh 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 installation, the BMW 530e iPerformance offers full use of the trunk and a flat load compartment floor. The battery can be charged to full capacity in under 7 hours from a residential 120V outlet using the OUC (Occasional Use Cable), while tailor-made solutions enabling safe, straightforward charging are available through BMW 360° Electric Lifestyle, such as the BMW Installation Services and BMW Solar Energy programs. The BMW Charging Station uses its output of 3.6kW - 7.2 kW (16/32 A, 240 V) to reduce charging time to under three hours, to wake up to a fully charged vehicle each day. The progress of the charging process can be tracked via a graphic in the car’s instrument cluster.

iPerformance Characteristics.

BMW 530e iPerformance is equipped with various elements unique to the iPerformance line-up. Exterior design elements include: blue kidney grille slats, blue wheel hub covers, charging socket located between the front wheel arch and the A-pillar on the driver’s side, “i” badging on the front fenders, “eDrive” emblems on the C‑pillars and the “530e” badge on the trunk lid. When passengers open the doors they are welcomed by illuminated door sills bearing the “eDrive” lettering. The BMW 530e iPerformance also comes with an eDrive button on the center console, along with specially designed displays for both the instrument cluster in front of the driver and the central information screen.

BMW eDrive.

As well as the Driving Dynamics Control switch, with its SPORT, COMFORT and ECO PRO settings. The eDrive button, unique to the iPerformance models offers three driving modes: AUTO eDRIVE, MAX eDRIVE and BATTERY CONTROL.

AUTO eDRIVE ensures that the engine and electric motor interact to optimum effect in all driving situations and allows an all-electric top speed of 56 mph (preliminary). This mode is automatically activated as the default setting every time the vehicle is started. When MAX eDRIVE mode is selected, the BMW 530e iPerformance drives on electric power alone. To do so, it uses the electric drive’s full power and can attain a maximum speed of 87 mph. However, if the accelerator is pressed through to kick down the engine will kick in which is whenever an extra boost of power is needed.

BATTERY CONTROL mode lets the driver set the charge level for the high-voltage battery manually. The intelligent battery management of the BMW 530e iPerformance either keeps the high-voltage battery’s charge constant at the selected level or increases it to the pre-set value, with the electric motor acting as a generator. BATTERY CONTROL mode makes it possible to conserve or even increase the reserves of electric power while traveling on the highway to ensure that an upcoming section through an urban area can be driven on pure electric.