BMW may not be ready to fully redesign the 5 Series just yet, but that doesn’t mean there’s no room for improvement. As part of a mid-cycle refresh, the marque has tweaked the premium executive sedan’s design and, more substantially, updated the car’s electric powertrain option. The recent Malaysian preview of two new, locally assembled variants of its BMW 5 Series sedan showcases a clear evolution of the 5 Series, and should be more than enough to sway Bimmer enthusiasts hoping for an upgrade, with both a plug-in hybrid and petrol variants.
These two new models are the BMW 530e M Sport (estimated at RM343,000 on the road, without insurance) and the BMW 530i M Sport (estimated at RM396,000 on the road, without insurance). Both these variants were unveiled with the M Aerodynamics package, outfitted with larger kidney grilles and stretched LED headlights. Front and rear bumpers are redesigned with larger air intakes with a new LED taillight element which, for the first time, is integrated into the taillight’s outermost layer for maximum 3D effect. The tweaks combine to give the car a look that’s more modern and menacing.
On the new BMW 530i M Sport, you get the famed Laserlight while the 530e M Sport comes with the Adaptive LED Matrix headlights, in addition to standard LED headlights. Both variants include the anti-glare BMW Selective Beam high-beam assistant with turning lights, and adaptive cornering function. These two variants will be kitted with new 19-inch M light alloy Y-Spoke Jet Black wheels with both mixed and runflat tyres, versus a double-spoke option on the 2019 option.
While the entry-level 530i’s powertrain remains the same, the new BMW 530e M Sport features the latest electrified powertrain that includes a 12 kWh battery (an increase from the 9.2 kWh of its predecessor). The 530e plug-in hybrid’s 109 hp turbo-four engine is now capable of 67km of all-electric range, and a combined maximum output of 292hp and 420Nm of torque. The century sprint is improved to 5.9 seconds (shaving off 0.3 seconds from its 2019 predecessor). Top speed is achieved at 235 km/h with a fuel consumption of only 2.3l/100km. A BMW Xtra Boost mode on the new BMW 530e M Sport gives the car additional power of up to 40hp during acceleration. While cruising at full electric, the new 530e M Sport also emits a sound to alert pedestrians and cyclists at speed of 30 km/h and over. With a BMW I Wallbox, tt will take three hours and 35 minutes to fully charge the electric motor.
Inside, you find the sporty M leather steering wheels on both the new variants, along with sport seats for passenger and driver. On the new petrol variant, owners also get the electrical glass roof feature plus BMW Gesture Control and a souped-up Harman Kardon surround sound system. The central infotainment concept has been restructured in terms of display set-up, with the previous 10.25-inch touchscreen interface now replaced with a 12.3-inch instrument cluster.
Then there is the familiar BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant, where the car intelligently helps with making calls, adjusting temperature, navigation, sunblind activation and lowering of windows. On the new variants, you will also see familiar touches such as automatic four-zone air-conditioning control and a host of safety features from Lane Departure warnings, front collision alert with brake intervention, and Parking Assistant Plus to help you manoeuvre the car into both parallel and perpendicular parking spots.
These two new BMW 5 Series variants will be available in five colours; Alpine White, Phytonic Blue, Bluestone, Sophisto Grey and Carbon Black. Owners of the new variants also receive the complete BMW Group Malaysia Premium Ownership experience including;
- BMW 5-Year Unlimited Mileage Warranty with Free Scheduled Service Programme
- BMW Roadside Assistance and Accident Hotline
- The BMW Group Loyalty+ Mobile App – BMW Privileges Card
- BMW Service Online
Customers can now register their interest for the New BMW 5 Series variants on the BMW Shop Online platform.
