BMW 5 Series PHEV to Enter US in Spring 2024

The US market will welcome the new BMW 5 Series plug-in hybrid in spring 2024, with a starting price of $73,800. The 550e xDrive is one of the several PHEV variants that will join the conventional and electric models of the eighth-generation 5 Series, which debuted earlier this year.

The 550e’s electric range has not been announced, but it can cover 49-56 miles on battery power according to European ratings. The plug-in hybrid executive sedan has a combined output of 483 hp from a 3.0-liter inline-six engine and an electric motor. That almost match the power of the E60-generation M5.

A 19.4kWh battery pack is fitted in the underbody, and the electric motor is coupled with the eight-speed automatic transmission. The battery’s new position has several benefits. It lowers the center of gravity, which makes the handling more agile. It also preserves the trunk space, which is a generous 18.4 ft3 for a sedan.

If you want an EV, the i5 is a good option. You can get the base eDrive40 model for $66,800, or the top-of-the-line M60 model for $84,100. The M60 has 593 hp and 586 lb-ft of torque. It can go from 0 to 60 mph in a mere 3.7 seconds.

With a four-cylinder engine that combines electric and gas power, the 530e plug-in hybrid produces 295 hp. It has a longer all-electric range than the 550e, which is estimated at 54-63 miles. However, these estimates are from the WLTP cycle, which may differ from the EPA ratings that will be available next year.

The lineup would have attracted more customers if the 530e plug-in hybrid was offered in America, but sadly, it’s not. A pure ICE-powered inline-six model, the 540i xDrive, will be launched later this year. Compared to the 530i xDrive, it will have a higher price tag of $64,900. The next-generation BMW M5 is the only new variant we anticipate in the near future.