Plugin hybrid G30 5-Series goes on sale for RM344k

The plugin hybrid trifecta in the executive saloon segment is finally complete after BMW Malaysia finally launched the 530e to go heads up against the Mercedes-Benz E350e and Volvo S90 T8 Twin Engine. 

All three plugin sedans are locally assembled, but it’s the newly-launched 530e that takes the lead in terms of value with a price of RM343,800. The Merc and Volvo are notably costlier with with prices starting from RM392,888 and RM368,888 respectively.

For that money, BMW gives you a two-litre four-pot turbo mated to an 83kW electric motor for a total system output of 249hp and 420Nm of torque. Fed to the rear wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission, this dual-source output propels the hybrid 5-er to 100kph from a standstill in just 6.2 seconds. Flat out, the 530e will max out at 235kph.

Thanks to electrification, the 530e is the most efficient 5-Series to date with a rated fuel consumption of just 2.0l/100km. Pure electric driving is possible too. The full-EV range for the 530e is 48km, and BMW says you can accelerate all the way up to 140kph without calling the petrol engine into action.

At present, the BMW 530e is only offered in Sport trim. High-tech luxuries that are part of this package include Comfort Access (keyless entry), contactless boot operation, 12-speaker HiFi system and adaptive suspension for optimum ride comfort. LED headlights, 19-inch alloys and twin tailpipes put the finishing touch on a look that’s both sporty and sophisticated for the hybrid G30.

From now till 31 March 2018, the 530e Sport is offered with a complimentary BMW i AC Fast Charging cable and one-year subscription to ChargeNow mobility services. This promotion also extends to all other plugin hybrid BMW models, namely the 330e, X5 xDrive40e and 740Le. The ChargeNow subscription allows owners to charge their cars for free at any ChargEV platform, an initiative by GreenTech Malaysia.

In 2017, BMW Malaysia sold a record of 10,618 cars here, 55 percent of which were plugin hybrid models. In fact, Malaysia is the second largest market in the world for the X5 xDrive40e and third largest for the 330e and 740Le. If these numbers are anything to go by, the strategically packaged BMW 530e Sport is bound to be a common sight on our roads real soon.

{gallery}bmw-my-launch-530e{/gallery}