BMW 530e hits NZ markets

The BMW 530e iPerformance has been released to the New Zealand market. A hybrid variant of the luxury business sedan, the 530e is available to order from now at registered dealers. The 530e powertrain contains an electric motor with a power output of 83kW and 250Nm of torque combined with a 2.0-litre four-cylinger engine, which generates 135kW and 320Nm. The overall system output clocks in at 185kW of power and 420Nm of torque.  The joint powertrain is matched to an eight-speed Streptronic transmission with a rear-wheel drive configuration, and is able to travel up to 48km purely on electric power. Charging times range from less than three hours with the BMW i wallbox (or a 3.7kW charging equivalent) to five hours from a standard domestic power socket. From 2018, BMW wireless charging will be available as an option, which will allow for fast charging without cables. The hybrid sedan will come with the same safety features seen on other BMW 530 models, including evasion aid, active cruise control, lane-change assist, lane-change warning and lane-keep assist. “The BMW 530e Sedan is now the fifth iPerformance plug-in hybrid to be launched, joining the 225xe Active Tourer, 330e Sedan, X5 xDrive40e and 740e Sedan”, says BMW Group New Zealand managing director, Florian Renndorfer.  “On top of this we also have the BMW i3 and i8 in the market, and in the coming months the first-ever MINI plug-in hybrid will launch with the Cooper S E Countryman ALL4”. Prices begin from $133,900 plus on-road costs.