The BMW 5 Series LCI has finally landed in Malaysia. The facelifted G30 is now on sale on the BMW Shop Online, with two variants to choose from. Naturally, two of the nameplate's hotter variants resurface, with the electrified 530e M Sport propping up the range from RM343,000 and the 530i, also M Sport, going for an estimated RM396,000. 

Instantly identifiable are the 5er's larger kidney grilles contrasted by slimmer light clusters: Adaptive LED Matrix headlights for the 530e and BMW Laserlight for the 530i. The taillights have been revised too, while both models get the M Sport exterior treatment which includes 19-inch wheels, M Sport brakes with blue callipers (naturally) and twin trapezoidal taillights. Both models ride on an adaptive suspension, which is good news for those looking for a big and comfy premium sedan. 

Both variants of the locally-assembled 5 Series pack a two-litre turbocharged engine and an eight-speed Steptronic transmission. Being a plug-in hybrid, the 530e has the bigger output on paper with a combined 292hp and 420Nm of torque (40hp more than before, but more on that later) as opposed to the 530i's petrol-only 252hp and 350Nm. As a result, the 530e is half a second quicker to 100kph from a standstill (5.9 secs versus the 530i's 6.4), although the story is flipped at vmax which sees the PHEV top out at 235kph - 15kph slower than the 530i's electronic limit.

As for rated consumption, the 530e is unsurprisingly more efficient with a claimed figure of 2.3l/100km versus the 530i's 6.7. But there are a couple more interesting developments on the electrification front, with the 530e's EV range now bumped up to 67km on the NEDC cycle. Max eDrive now enables all-electric driving up to 140kph while an Xtra Boost mode gives the 530e an extra 40hp to go crazy with. 

All that's missing now is for the facelifted F90 M5, or more enticingly the M5 CS, to land in Malaysia for the 5 Series LCI range to be truly complete. But as things stand, BMW Malaysia has a pair of similarly competent and well-positioned 5ers, both strapped with all the things enthusiasts love about a good old 5 Series but easily distinguishable by their calculatedly varied approaches to modern-day motoring. 

Plug-in or pure petrol; which one's more you?