Oneshift Gets a Taste of The BMW 530e From The New iPerformance Range

BMW’s vision to provide cars which have Level 5 Autonomous self-drive capabilities by the year 2021 is a leap forward for the Bavarian manufacturer.

While that is a few short years from now, BMW had already embarked on developing some of the pillars which would pave the way for a truly autonomous vehicle, with the likes of the i3 and i8 hybrid cars already carrying just some of the drive technologies which will find their way into the next generation cars in time to come.

The new iPerformance range expands on their plug-in hybrid technologies, developing a series cars which are simply more efficient.

Seven BMW i and BMW iPerformance models with electrified drivetrains have been launched here, and it is by far the largest range of EVs and PHEVs offered by a single manufacturer in Singapore.

Blending the best of two worlds, BMW’s already efficient TwinPower Turbo technology, together with their eDrive system ensures lower emissions and extended range, creating a potential for more time on the road, while greatly reducing its carbon footprint.

The new iPerformance range includes the 225xe Active Tourer, 330e iPerformance, 530e iPerformance, 740Le xDrive iPerformance and the only SUV being the X5 xDrive40e iPerformance.

Hot off the metal presses this year, the 5 Series is BMW’s all-important Executive Sedan. We have already driven the highly equipped and equally quick BMW 540i, the nimble BMW 530i and range-providing BMW 520d. It made perfect sense to go with this grain by taking the 530e for a quick spin.

First impressions do not reveal any obvious differences. Subtly placed elements like the blue accents within the grille and wheel hubs, the eDrive logo on the C-pillar and an additional “fuel” door sited at the front fender, for plugging in the car.

The 530e obtains its drive from a combination of a 113hp electric motor, delivering 250Nm of torque, and their all familiar four-cylinder 2.0 turbocharged engine, similar to the one found in the regular 530i, but produces a lower 184hp and 290Nm of torque.

The combined drivetrains produce a total of 252hp, while its maximum torque of 420Nm ensures that the 530e hits the century mark in just 6.2 seconds, identical to its 530i sibling.

On the inside, sill panels carrying the eDrive lettering, and an eDrive button leave the main clues that you are in something which delivers a preview of the future here.

Behind the wheel there are some extras. The 530e not only does the usual SPORT, COMFORT and ECO PRO under its Driving Experience Control switch, there is also the addition of three different drive modes, AUTO eDRIVE, MAX eDRIVE and BATTERY CONTROL.

While the modes under the Driving Experience Control are all familiar to us, the addition of drive modes are all new. AUTO eDRIVE ensures that the engine and electric motor interact to optimum effect in all driving situations and allows an all-electric top speed of 90 km/h. This mode is automatically activated as the default setting every time the vehicle is started.

MAX eDRIVE gets the car driving on electric power alone, and uses the electric drive’s full power and can attain a maximum speed of 140 km/h. However, if the accelerator is pressed through to kickdown, the engine will cut in, which is handy should an extra boost of power be desired – when overtaking, for example.

BATTERY CONTROL mode lets the driver set the charge level for the high-voltage battery manually. The target value can be adjusted to between 30 and 100 per cent of maximum charge, allowing that proportion of the battery’s capacity to be reserved for all-electric driving at a later point in the journey.

As like other 5 Series models equipped with this feature, the Surround View and 3D View ensures ease in manoeuvring in awkward traffic situations.

The Land Transport Authority (LTA) and Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB) recently launched an electric vehicle (EV) car-sharing programme that will see 1,000 EVs and 2,000 charging points being rolled out from 2017 till 2020. Up to 20 percent of the charging points will be available for public use. A different charging plug standard, known as “Type 2”,

was also introduced this year. While it is not mandatory for existing vehicles and home chargers to switch from Type 1 to Type 2, in the longer term, it is anticipated that most vehicles and charging points in Singapore will follow the Type 2 standard.

BMW Asia is working with Greenlots to build up the charging infrastructure in Singapore. There are currently 60 public EV charging stations at 37 locations spread across the island. Drivers can locate the charging stations nearest to them within the ChargeNow network quickly and easily by making use of BMW ConnectedDrive Services in their vehicle’s navigation system for real-time status, pricing information and turn-by-turn directions. Powered by Greenlots, ChargeNow is a mobility service from BMW i and it is the largest public charging network in Singapore. BMW ConnectedDrive, the BMW ConnectedDrive app and the Greenlots app make locating and using charging stations run by partners an extremely fast and easy process, while the ChargeNow card allows convenient electronic billing and payment.

The 530e retails at $280,800 (2 October 2017)

Fuel consumption

6.3 l/100km

145 Wh/km

CO2 emissions

144 g/km

58* g/km

Max output

184 hp from

5,000 – 6,500 rpm

113 hp at 3,170 rpm

Max torque

290 Nm from
1,350 – 4,250 rpm

250 Nm from
0 – 3,170 rpm

Total system (max output/ max torque):

252 hp / 420 Nm

0 to 100 km/h:

6.2 seconds

Top speed

235 km/h

140 km/h

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