The BMW 5 Series has become the car to have when one wants a driver’s executive car that perfectly blends ride comfort, sporty handling and punchy performance. Nowhere is this better seen than the latest 7th generation G30 530i M Sport and 530e Plug-in Hybrid. Arriving in its facelifted guise, the 5 Series pair now come redesigned with the latest BMW design language and driver assistance packages for the ultimate driving experience.
Complete with even larger kidney grilles and slim, angular headlights, the new LED daytime running light with 3D effect projects an aggressive fascia. The 530e M Sport comes with adaptive LED headlights, while the 530i M Sport gets the full-fat BMW Laserlight technology. Both come with auto high-beam assistant that automatically switches the high-beam on or off depending on the traffic situation.
Both variants come with the M Aerodynamics package, which includes a sportier front and rear bumper with larger air intakes. The 530e M Sport is finished with BMW Individual’s Shadow Line frames with gloss black finishes around the doors, grille and air blade on the side. The 530i M Sport, on the other hand, has the Aluminium Satinated option, with a brushed aluminium finish instead of the gloss black.
The 530e M Sport and 530i M Sport have new 19-inch M light-alloy Y-Spoke M Bi-Colour Jet Black wheels with mixed and runflat tyres. Blue M Sport brake callipers and BWM’s Adaptive Suspension also come as standard kit. The rear sees trapezoidal double-sided exhaust pipes and a pseudo diffuser for that sportier look.
Under the hood, BMW Malaysia has brought the best available choice of powertrain, combining both power and efficiency for our local market. Both variants come with the mighty inline 4-cylinder BMW TwinPower Turbo 2.0-litre petrol engine, mated to the ZF-sourced eight-speed Steptronic Sport transmission. The 530e M Sport additionally benefits from the latest generation of the BMW eDrive electric motor.
The 530e M Sport is the plug-in hybrid variant with the total system pumping out an impressive 292hp and 420Nm of torque. 109 of those horsepowers come from the electric motor. Capable of achieving 0-100kph in a rapid 5.9 seconds and to a top speed of 235kph, the 530e M Sport consumes only 2.3l/100km of fuel with a CO2 emission of 53g/km, although not while trying to achieve those impressive performance stats.
The electric motor can have an all-electric range of up to 67 kilometres, making all-electric city driving and short journeys possible. Charging the electric motor takes approximately three and a half hours using the BMW I Wallbox, or under six hours with a conventional main socket. The pure electric driving modes can be personalised with AUTO eDrive allowing a max speed of 110kph or MAX eDrive bumping that speed up to 140kph. BMW Xtra Boost mode is also available, provide an extra 40hp during launch or hard acceleration.
The petrol-powered 530i M Sport, on the other hand, puts out a very respectable 252hp and 350Nm of torque, powering the big Beemer from a standstill to 100kph in 6.4 seconds. With a top speed of 250kph, the 530i M Sport consumes 6.7l/100km of fuel with a CO2 emission of 154g/km.
It’s all well and good for power and performance, but safety is vital when you have this much poke under your right foot. The 530e M Sport and 530i M Sport feature the Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), complemented by Dynamic Traction Control (DTC), Cornering Brake Control (CBC) and Dynamic Brake Control (DBC). As with most modern cars, Antilock Braking System (ABS) with Brake Assist are also present. Uniquely to the 530e M Sport, BMW has engineered a sound to be emitted through the car’s loudspeakers to alert pedestrians and cyclist when travelling in full electric mode below 30kph.
Additionally, among the numerous driving aids available on the new variants are the Lane Departure and Lane Change Warning, front collision warning with automatic braking, along with rear crossing-traffic alert and collision prevention. Parking Assistant Plus with Surround View cameras are also available. Surprisingly, however, the Active Cruise Control system will only be available on the 530i M Sport and not the 530e M Sport.
The interior of the 530e M Sport and 530i M, while not as flamboyant as the exterior, is elegant, well-appointed, and a luxurious place to be in. The new variants feature the exclusive M leather steering wheel and leather sport seats for both the driver and passenger. The new variants are furnished with interior trim finishers in Aluminium Rhombicle, Dakota Leather upholstery and the BMW Individual headliner. The ambient lighting system provides generous illumination, while only owners of the 530i M Sport can enjoy the electrical glass roof.
Equipped with the BMW Live Cockpit Professional standard, both variants come with the 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and an equally sizeable central touchscreen display. The BMW Live Cockpit Professional comes with navigation, the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant, 4G LTE connectivity, two USB ports and Remote Software Upgrade, and over-the-air map updates for the navigation system.
The BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant comes with various functions such as temperature adjustment, navigation, sunblind activation, and automatically lowering all windows. Exclusive to the New BMW 530i M Sport are Gesture Control, Heads-Up Display, BMW Display Key, and a Harman Kardon surround sound system. The 530e M Sport, unfortunately, has to make do with a standard HiFi Loudspeaker system.
A myriad of optional customisations is typical, especially when it comes to modern German manufacturers. BMW are no different. The new variants will be available in Alpine White or Carbon Black, paired with either the Black or Cognac Leather Dakota upholstery. Phytonic Blue, Sophisto Grey or Bluestone will also be available, paired with Black Leather Dakota upholstery.
Both variants can also be equipped with BMW M Performance Parts. Owners will be treated to a gloss black grille, carbon wing mirror caps, and M Performance side sills, as well as rear spoiler in matte black. This option also adds a Rear Bumper set, consisting of the rear bumper trim in high gloss black and the rear diffuser in matte black. The BMW M Performance pack retails at RM17,410. Still, BMW Malaysia will be offering a 10 per cent discount for all buyers until 31st December 2021.
For 530i M Sport owners who also which to get the gloss black finish on their kidney grille, air duct trim and window frames, the Shadow Line Package will be made available for RM5,437. However, there will be a special flat rate offer of RM5,000 that will last until 2021.
Prices, on the road and without insurance, for the BMW 530e M Sport start at RM340,800 with SST (RM334,353 without SST) and the BMW 530i M Sport at RM395,800 with SST (RM384,941 without SST). Aside from the magnificent vehicles, BMW owners will be rewarded with BMW’s 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 as well BMW Service Online.
BMW Group Financial Services Malaysia are also now offering financing plans for the BMW 530e M Sport and the BMW 530i M Sport. Monthly instalment plans start from RM3,778 for the 530e M Sport and RM4,388 for the 530i M sport (based on estimates of an 80% loan on a five-year tenure).