BMW upgrades 5er and Mini Countryman PHEV versions

BMW has given the 5-series a model update and in this context has increased the range of plug-in hybrids to five versions. The small SUV Mini Countryman also has an update on the PHEV.

With BMW’s 5 Series until now, the 530e sedan was the only plug-in electric vehicle available. Now, from autumn 2020 the plug-in hybrid will also be available in the 5 Series Touring. The 530e variants will also be offered as xDrive versions with four-wheel drive.

The 2.0-litre petrol engine continues to produce 135 kW, while the electric motor integrated in the housing of the eight-speed automatic transmission reaches 80 kW. BMW now states the system output as 215 kW, previously it was 185 kW. The maximum system torque is 420 Newton metres. The gross capacity of the battery is 12 kWh, of which 10.8 kWh can be used.

The purely electrical range varies depending on the version. The rear-wheel drive sedan has a range of up to 67 kilometers, the somewhat heavier four-wheel drive station wagon only 53 kilometers. The electric top speed is 140 kph in all cases.

Also in the fall, the PHEV program for the new 5 Series will be expanded by the 545e xDrive in the sedan version. The 80 kW electric motor from the 530e will be coupled to a six-cylinder instead of a four-cylinder. The three-litre petrol engine has an output of 210 kW, while BMW has specified a system output of 290 kW. The 545e xDrive accelerates to 100 km/h in 4.7 seconds, which is 1.2 seconds faster than the four-cylinder. The electric range here is between 54 and 57 kilometres, which is the norm. Fuel consumption is around 0.2 litres higher at 2.1 to 2.4 litres.

In Germany, prices start at 56,200 euros for the 530e sedan, the all-wheel-drive model 530e xDrive costs 2,600 euros more, i.e. 58,800 euros. The 545e xDrive is available from 70,000 euros.

The Mini Countryman has also been revised. Here it remains with the only plug-in hybrid version Mini Cooper SE Countryman ALL4. This offers a system output of 162 kW and a high-voltage battery with a gross energy content of 9.6 kWh, with which a maximum electric range of 55 to 61 kilometres should be possible. The basic list price for the new edition of the Mini Countryman with plug-in hybrid is 39,000 euros.

The PHEV drive is also used in the revised BMW X2, which is now available for the first time as a plug-in hybrid.

bmwgroup.com, bmwgroup.com (Mini)