This BMW, considering its sugar rush of acceleration: The rear-drive 530e runs from 0-60 mph in a estimable 6.0 seconds flat, according to BMW, or 5.8 seconds with optional xDrive AWD. Those acceleration numbers are matching to the gas-only 530i model.
Giving a boost to your early-morning effectiveness, the 530e can authoritatively cover 16 all-electric miles on a plug-in charge, at a 72 mpge rating. Set a destination on the navigation system, and the BMW’s hybrid system even looks forward to the road ahead—including topographical data—to save energy, using the engine more on highways and conserving battery juice for urban areas.
Now, what if I told you that BMW is basically offering its latest hybrid technology for free? This 2018 530e iPerformance starts from $53,395, not a penny more than a 530i with its 248 horsepower, 2.0-liter four-cylinder. BMW obviously wants to make the 530e the offer you can’t say no to. It’s a welcome change in philosophy, and financial terms, from BMW’s previous, performance-centric Active Hybrids, including an X6 SUV that supplied 400 V-8 horsepower and 575 pound-feet of torque.
“Start” button, which put the BMW into its default Auto eDrive mode: Mixing-and-matching electricity and gasoline power according to the driving circumstances. As ever, BMW’s four-cylinder can sound a bit rattly when it’s still cold. But once up to temp, the transition from pure electric to hybrid power was often so calm and flawless that we didn’t even notice the engine firing up. Overall, this bank-vault 5-Series is astonishingly quiet.
Wind and road noise are throw out like. Hit a console button, and Max eDrive mode sidelines the engine completely, Except you press the throttle into kick-down mode for a fossil-fueled burst. A raft of onboard coaching screens can assist drivers enhance their mileage game.
Electricity is accessible for tag-team power as well: As an alternative of a traditional tachometer, a driver’s gauge shows throttle position from 0 to 100 percent; grasp the pedal to the floor for a shove of “e Boost” action. Even in all-electric mode, the BMW can get to a rational 87-mph top speed, increasing to 146 mph in hybrid operation. A Battery Control mode lets you reserve remaining electricity.
