Joy in the drive
The BMW 530e plug-in hybrid offers fuel efficiency and driving pleasure in equal measure.
THE BMW 5-Series has always managed to be a hit ever since it made its inaugural debut in Germany in 1972. Seven generations later, it has constantly been on the list of consideration for discerning executive car buyers who seek sophistication, comfort, performance and, more so now, efficiency without being overly ostentatious. Depending on variant, the current 5-Series (G30) has the ability to serve a myriad of functions from being a comfortable point-to-point commuter, highway cruiser or something that can simply edge out a smile while carving up corners. Although the G30 has grown in size against its predecessor (F10), thanks to the 7 Series’ (G11) platform, it has managed to shed some weight and gained even more refinement. The 530e became the fifth member to join the carmaker’s lineup of iPerformance plug-in hybrids here in Malaysia costing RM328,800 (without insurance), which is about RM51,000 less than the 530i M Sport at RM379,800. Seen here in Bluestone Metallic and sporting a cabin that’s been upholstered in Dakota Cognac leather, it rolls on staggered 19-inch style 635 V-spoke wheels that wear 245/40 (front) and 275/35 (rear) Goodyear Eagle F1 run flats tyres and have also been equipped with Flat Tyre indicators.
Exterior
Against the F10, the G30 looks a little more hunkered down and wider in general. The hood’s central creases, that used to extend centrally from the windscreen down to the ‘blue and white roundel’, have been erased. Additionally, the flanking outer creases on the hood have been somewhat muted as it reaches from the A-Pillars down towards the now pronounced and enlarged kidney grilles. Also, there’s now a pair of LED fog light-bars that have each been recessed into the bumper for a more integrated look as the newly designed LED headlights with daytime running lights stand at the ready to light the way. From its side profile, the G30 doesn’t seem to have changed much against the F10, maintaining that sharp crease under the shoulder-line, while adding a pair of air breathers just after the front wheels. Another addition is a soft looking crease that emerges from the front upper wheel arch and then disappears before reaching the rear’s C-pillars where the signature Hofmeister-kink resides. At the rear, the F10’s sharp angles have been sanded away to down-playing the notion of aggression for the G30 as the rear LED light clusters now take on a more fluidic appearance unlike the F10’s stepped approach that lacked continuity. Simply put, these changes have helped the G30 accentuate its elegance but has also downplayed the sporty nature it once had.
Interior
Access to the ‘uber’ comfortable cabin with its plush leather upholstery and pillow-like headrests is done via the keyless entry system which activates and deactivates based on touch sensors located on the exterior handle of all doors. Once inside, those familiar with the F10’s cabin layout will notice the similarity with the gear knob and general layout. Only now, there’s a free-standing 10.25-inch colour touchscreen at the centre of the driver-centric dashboard, compared to the integrated and recessed screen previously. To help with personalisation, there are 11 predefined lighting designs in six different colour choices. The driver gets to peer into a new 12.3-inch high-resolution multifunction colour instrument display with black-panel technology - touching this will cause highlighted smudges and fingerprints to prominently appear so new owners will need to take heed. The front powered seats have plenty of comfort thanks to the bolstering it offers. Both front occupants have added powered adjustments that includes lumbar support, extendable thigh support and side bolsters to help keep front occupants in place while helming the G30, with a relatively girthy sports steering wheel, at speed. Navigating through the controls on the dashboard is highly intuitive and activating them will require a mere touch. The first thing occupants will note is how spatially accommodating within the cabin with plenty of shoulder and head room up front. Those seated on the rear will find that knee room is plentiful and comfort is further heightened with the inclusion of rear air vents, powered sun shades and a 12-speaker HiFi sound system with a 205-watt digital amplifier that provides good amounts of sound clarity.
Practicality
Although there has been nothing but praises for the G30 thus far, it does have its quirks. For a vehicle that measures in at
4,943mm-long, 1,867mm-wide and 1,478mm-tall, it sure has a small boot - 420 litres apparently - that’s 120 litres less than the non-hybrid 530i M Sport variant and can quickly fill up with just three cabin-sized bags and a few loose items. Not to mention, the handsfree boot operation can sometimes be a ‘hit or a miss’ to activate and have its owner, at times, seen trying to practice a ‘Lord of the Dance’ routine. This is due to the large battery pack that resides under the rear bench and it has unfortunately imposed on the boot as well as the fuel tank, which can take on a total of 46 litres. To give an idea, this sort of tank is found in B-segment vehicles such as the Volkswagen Polo, Toyota Vios or Honda City among others. Due to the sheer size, the G30 can be deemed difficult to park by less experienced drivers, even if there is a reverse camera. But thankfully, it does come equipped with an automated Parking Assistant programme to help with parallel and perpendicular parking duties. Not to mention, the 530e can and will prevent itself from contracting ‘curb rash’ with its Park Distance control. Venture too close to a wall or a curb and it will engage all of its brakes as a means of prevention. The inclusion of voice command made driving the G30 a wonder and allows the driver to keep their hands on the wheel at all times, but while it was easy to change radio stations by mentioning numbers, inputting local navigation waypoints may require repeated attempts. The obvious point to mention is that the car isn’t exactly from around this part of the world and will have some trouble recognising other types of accents other than the ‘Queen’s’, but before bashing in the controls, there is another way to work around it. Simply activating Concierge Service via the BMW ConnectedDrive system will have a helpful person tend to your needs (and sometimes whims) to make the heat shimmer quickly dissipate from above the head. Once the waypoint has been successfully identified, it is then remotely sent to the navigation system for a route to be calculated leaving this driver feeling well and truly pampered and increasingly addicted. After all, it’s literally a touch of a button away. Yet thanks to the strong electric motor, fuel economy was not an issue, in fact the G30 used about 80% of its fuel tank to reach Penang from Kuala Lumpur. Throughout the journey, the engine and electric motor took turns to provide power to the rear wheels, only the engine had an added role of recharge the batteries while being used. This was done by actively choosing Battery Control mode to prevent the car from utilising the batteries until it reached a preset level of about 90%, after which Max eDrive mode was selected for an emissions-free drive at highway speed limits. More fuel could have been saved if a power outlet or charge station was available during the stay. Getting around the island with a lack of charge was still bearable. The engine doesn’t have an issue with getting the car rolling off the line and was nothing but buttery smooth in low to mid-speeds. The same can be said about when in electric mode, but once the charge gets down to about 15%, power delivery to roll off from standstill might seem a tad challenging. Also the faster it goes (max 130kph) the quicker the charge levels depletes.
Safety
The 530e’s safety equipment is extensive and includes the usual six airbags, antilock braking system with brake assist, dynamic stability control, dynamic traction control, cornering brake control, dynamic braking lights with flashing function, crash sensor with closing of the windows, glass roof and folding of the exterior mirrors; seat-occupancy detection and a reverse camera. Additionally, there are inclusions for driver assist technologies that includes adaptive cruise control, driving assistant with lane departure warning, lane change warning, approach control warning with person warning and rear cross traffic warning with rear collision prevention.
Ride and handling
This executive sedan is and probably will always be a cruiser first before anything else and there will be much driving joy to be had when out and about on highways where occupants begin to realise who highly insulated they are from noise, vibrations and harshness. In Sport mode, which is the most unbecoming it can ever be, the G30 can offer a communicative drive that allows the driver to sense the happenings of all four tyres - unlike the F10 and its strangely ‘disconnected’ feel at the front end when pushing grip limits. Because of this, the G30 has the potential to turn smirks into full grins when out and about on empty, tight and twisted routes. In Sport mode, the stiffened suspension, abrupt gear changes, down-shift throttle blips, heightened throttle response, weighted steering feel and direct brake feel serves its driver with sharp handling characterisup tics to help carve the curves. Body roll and pitch can be deemed minimal and isn’t extensive, but in the heat of the moment the Goodyear Eagle F1 tyres got a little overcooked and began increasingly muddling the level of communication to a point where guesstimating might be required. Toning things down to the other side of the spectrum, Comfort mode makes the steering feather light, desensitizes throttle response and adds plenty of travel and compliance for the suspension to tackle uneven road surfaces. This just makes the car feel very disconnected from the road.
Fuel consumption
On paper, the 530e’s consumption on the combined cycle is capable of achieving between 1.9 and 2.1 litres per 100km.
Warranty
The 530e comes with a five-year unlimited mileage warranty with free scheduled service program and two-year tyre warranty program for its run-flat tyres as well as access to BMW Roadside Assistance and Accident Hotline, BMW Group Loyalty+ Mobile App, BMW White Card and BMW Service Online.
Summary
After having experienced this German cruiser for a weekend, it was concluded that it is undoubtedly one of the best ‘do-it-all’ executive sedans to be had. Sure, it might have a smaller boot and fuel tank, lack Sport+ mode and a heads-up display, but it’s longrange fuel efficiency, capable emissions-free drive, comfortable and spacious interior as well as sporty prowess coupled with sheer outright power more than makes up for it. As long as its size doesn’t intimidate, there’s confidence that the drive will increase in enjoyment with speed and the cabin will provide an impressive amount of serenity for all. So for this writer, it’s definitely a choice pick, being such a livable addition.