Wednesday 27th September 2023

BMW launches hybrid 5 Series, including new 550e

All-electric i5 is bagging all the headlines - but 489hp plug-in hybrid could be the thinking man's choice

---

BMW isn’t done with its new 5 Series line-up just yet. Having announced a comprehensive range of mild-hybrid combustion models and the all-electric i5 for the G60 generation earlier this year, the German car giant has now confirmed two PHEV variants will be joining the range – including the return of the mighty 550.

Well, sort of. The previous generation’s range-topper, sitting just below the fully-fat M5 Competition, was the brawny M550i, a car that it was fairly easy to like - even if the Alpina B5 was ultimately better. Predictably, the new model drops a couple of cylinders and gains an electric motor and battery pack to become the 550e xDrive. The new combustion-powered, non-M flagship combines a turbocharged 3.0-litre petrol straight-six with a 197hp electric motor (the latter integrated into the eight-speed automatic gearbox) for a combined output of 489hp and 516lb ft of torque. BMW says that’s enough to fire you to 62mph from a standstill in 4.3 seconds, with top speed is electronically capped at 155mph. No surprises there.

As for the battery, the 550e is equipped with a 19.4kWh lithium-ion pack (up from 12.0kWh on the previous-gen PHEVs), which BMW suggests is good for an all-electric range of up to 56 miles. Go for the more cost-effective 530e and that rises to 62 miles, though performance naturally takes a hit. It’s powered by a 2.0-litre four-pot turbo that, again, is paired up with an electric motor for a total system output of 299hp and 332lb ft. It’s two seconds slower to 62mph than the 550e, and a 143mph top speed is all it can muster. Both max out at 87mph if you keep them in EV mode.

BMW has also made strides with the battery integration on its new PHEVs. Previous plug-in models sacrificed boot space for electric running and better fuel economy, but that’s no longer an issue on the new model. The battery is now nestled within the underbody of the car, meaning the PHEVs now offer the same 520-litre boot space as the combustion models. Doesn’t make them any cheaper, mind. Orders are open now, with prices starting at £59,455 for the 530e and £76,605 for the 550e xDrive.

---

• 601hp i5 M60 tops all-new 5 Series range
• New M Performance Parts for incoming 5 Series

[Numeric]

I hope that at some point BMW will again embrace the innovation possible with an electric architecture that bought us the I3.

I'm sure that both the i5 and other versions of the five series are very worthy, but it saddens me that boldness seems to be evaporating in the electric car sector. Yes the i3 didn't maybe reach sales expectation in its first foray, but would a new one not maybe fair better along with a range of larger and equally innovative products? Yet we get 4x4 and saloons and hatches that are as conformal as can be.

But yes, innovative and clever design all too often loses out to the uniform cars that make people feel safe in their purchasing decision.

Edited by Numeric on Wednesday 27th September 12:02

[DaveTheRave87]

I would love to see the rational behind someone choosing a 550e over a 530e.

Looks decent, enough electric range for almost everyday and the engine there for when you want or need it.

[ChrisCh86]

The automotive equivalent of beige. Not a looker is it?

I quite liked the look of the previous generation, but this manages to be badly proportioned and boring at the same time.

It's almost like they're trying to drive sales of the more expensive X5 instead!

[JackJarvis]

The Article said:

with prices starting at £59,455 for the 530e

I know, I know.. everything costs a fortune these days but £60,000 for a base spec, 2.0 four pot 5 series will never be acceptable to me. The tiny electric range does nothing to add to the appeal.

[Harry H]

Optioned up £80K and as dull as ditchwater. No thanks.

[mradam]

How long is that bonnet - side profile is awful.

And the rear, oh dear.

Predictable post but sorry, this attempt at car design is rubbish.

[WPA]

That is an awful looking car

[Jag_NE]

JackJarvis said:

The Article said:

with prices starting at £59,455 for the 530e

I know, I know.. everything costs a fortune these days but £60,000 for a base spec, 2.0 four pot 5 series will never be acceptable to me. The tiny electric range does nothing to add to the appeal.

Same thoughts here. Im fairly certain that the current gen 530e was sub 50k only 2-3 years ago. I think the 530e did well with company car sales due to the low BIK but BMW will be starting to price themselves out at 60k. Another difference is that a few years ago the list price was almost meaningless and the cars sold for a lot less, especially to fleets. At present I imagine they will be selling not far off the 60k making the lease monthlies very high.

[cerb4.5lee]

Numeric said:

I hope that at some point BMW will again embrace the innovation possible with an electric architecture that bought us the I3.

I'm sure that both the i5 and other versions of the five series are very worthy, but it saddens me that boldness seems to be evaporating in the electric car sector. Yes the i3 didn't maybe reach sales expectation in its first foray, but would a new one not maybe fair better along with a range of larger and equally innovative products? Yet we get 4x4 and saloons and hatches that are as conformal as can be.

But yes, innovative and clever design all too often loses out to the uniform cars that make people feel safe in their purchasing decision.

Edited by Numeric on Wednesday 27th September 12:02

The i3 was an all time low for BMW for me. I can still remember the first time I saw one in the showroom, and I thought that BMW had completely lost the plot. It was a hideous thing both inside and outside to my eyes.

I've always thought that the 5 series was quite a handsome car, but I can't say that I'm all the impressed with the design of this one though. Maybe it will look better in real life though?

[MightyBadger]

Hideous design.

Edited by MightyBadger on Wednesday 27th September 18:48

[Ian974]

I've not kept up with their recent cars, but from the 1st image I honestly thought that was an X6.

[Quickmoose]

New BMW
New chat about it's looks...
Ultimately a similar end point....with most rejecting either it's abject polarising ugliness or, as in this case, an example of just a poor/bland backwards step, aesthetically.
I for one think its really, really boring.
A 5 used to be at the top of the mid sized exec shortlist.... this'd be somewhere near the bottom.

Edited by Quickmoose on Wednesday 27th September 12:36

[British Beef]

Looks sh!t and is expensive...in a nutshell!

[Glenn63]

DaveTheRave87 said:

I would love to see the rational behind someone choosing a 550e over a 530e.

Looks decent, enough electric range for almost everyday and the engine there for when you want or need it.

Because 3.0 6 pot > 2.0 4 pot. And the extra near 200bhp.

[nismo48]

British Beef said:

Looks sh!t and is expensive...in a nutshell!

Brutal but true !!

[covmutley]

Whats going on with that steering wheel!!??!

[mylesmcd]

covmutley said:

Whats going on with that steering wheel!!??!

Its to hang your man bag on whilst updating status.

[Fermit]

personally, I think it looks hideous, but. BMW have a habit over the generations of shaking up their design language. Remember the hysteria when Bangle was bought in, and everyone were cussing his designs. Few nowadays would call the original Z4 or E60 ugly, they still look fresh today.

I'd be surprised if in 10/20 years these will look good, but I was amongst the group who hated Bangles designs, and I now drive an E91.

Stranger things could happen.

[salmanorguk]

Apart from the bland, unresolved design, its amazing how it’s also so bulbous and ungainly it manages to make the 20” alloys look like 16s.

As an aside I saw a Hyundai Ionic 6 yesterday on the road and it looked amazing - would definitely get that over this

[Watcher of the skies]

WPA said:

That is an awful looking car

That's a given

What's with the Allegro steering wheel?