2018 BMW 530e electric car

Joining iPerformance variants of the BMW 3 series,the X5, and the 7 series ,is a plug-in-hybrid version of the new BMW 5-series: the 2018 BMW 530e iPerformance. It’s the latest step in BMW’s plan to offer electrified versions of every one of its models by 2020.

     FUTURE OF 530e                                                                                                                            

Every vehicles BMW sells will include an electrified variant come 2020, but the company doesn’t expect those battery-electric, plug-in hybrid, and hybrid drivetrains to account for much more than 20 percent of its sales volumes through 2025. In that year, company officials in Munich say, they anticipate the introduction of useful hydrogen fuel-cell cars in its product portfolio, probably starting with BMW’s larger, more luxurious models.

PERFOMANCE

The 530e iPerformance pairs a 180-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with a 95-hp electric motor. Combined, the two power sources can deliver 248 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque, enough oomph to push the mid-size plug-in hybrid to 60 mph in just over six seconds, according to BMW. An eight-speed automatic is the sole transmission offered; however, both rear- and all-wheel-drive (xDrive in BMW parlance) variants will be available.

Max eDrive takes things one step further and turns the 530e iPerformance into a true electric vehicle that forgoes the use of the gasoline engine in most situations and can reach a top speed of 87 mph on electric power alone. BMW puts the 530e iPerformance’s all-electric range at 15 miles.                                                                                                                                       

                                                               BATTERY PERFOMANCE                                                                                              

Like the X5 x dvive 40e perfomance and the 740e dvive perfomance, the 530e’s electric motor is fed electrons courtesy of a 9.2-kWh lithium-ion battery pack. BMW notes that the battery can be charged in less than seven hours using a standard 120-volt outlet, while a 240-volt BMW Charging Station cuts that time down to less than three hours. Thanks to the battery pack’s location beneath the rear seat, trunk space is unaffected. 

                                   

Finally, Battery Control mode is designed to let the driver set the battery pack’s charge level—either maintaining its current charge or relying on the gasoline engine to addcharge. Battery Control mode will likely find more use in Europe, where a number of urban areas are working to restrict the use of fossil-fuel-burning vehicles in city centers.

WIRELESS CHARGING

The 2018 BMW 530e plug-in hybrid will be able to wirelessly charge its battery using a BMW-branded induction pad. It can be installed in the open or under cover. Once it's connected to power, the 530e will position itself over the pad such that a current can transmit wirelessly from pad to vehicle.

The wireless charging pad will permit a charge rate of up to 3.2 kW. That's only slightly less powerful than BMW's i Wallbox, which provides 3.7 kW charging. It should take about 3.5 hours to wirelessly charge the 530e's 9.2-kWh battery, as opposed to 3 hours flat using BMW's hardwired solution.