The next BMW M5 will have some kind of electrification, much to the revolt of the most purist fans of the Munich brand. But in the meantime, the closest thing we have to this new "species" is the model we bring you here: the BMW 545e xDrive.
It doesn't have an “M” in the name, nor does it surpass the (apparent) obligatory 500 hp barrier, but that doesn't mean I think the comparison with the M5 is absurd. That's because this is BMW's most powerful plug-in hybrid ever.
But because the numbers always have more impact than the “titles”, I'll start by telling you that this “super hybrid” joins an in-line six-cylinder 3.0 l turbo gasoline with 286 hp to an electric motor with 109 hp, the that allows it to offer a maximum combined power of 394 hp and 600 Nm.
This hybrid powertrain, which is supported by a 12 kWh lithium-ion battery (11.2 kWh useful capacity), was inherited from the BMW 745e and allows a range in 100% electric mode of up to 56 kilometers.
And this is where this BMW 545e starts to be interesting. Instead of betting on the still-common downsizing, which would be mitigated by the electric boost, the 545e keeps the 3.0-litre turbo in-line six-cylinder. And thankfully…
This is, most likely, the engine that best defines (still) the Munich brand. But that doesn't mean that electrification is bad for him. Quite the opposite. We continue to have the sound of a six in line and the response benefits (accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h takes just 4.6s), as well as consumption. At least while we have battery power.
The carbon emissions from this test will be offset by BP
Find out how you can offset the carbon emissions of your diesel, gasoline or LPG car.
In addition to this, we also have the possibility of driving for 56 km in all-electric mode, a bonus for those drivers who make short daily journeys in an urban environment. But I can already tell you that it is difficult to go beyond 50 km.
And I take this opportunity and I'm talking to you about consumption. Forget the 1.7 l/100 km announced by BMW. During this test I never managed to go down from 5.5 l/100 km and when I delivered it the average in the on-board computer indicated 8.8 l/100 km.
However, I recognize that this value was greatly inflated by the times I used the Sport mode and the 394 hp available, so I would say that in normal use, without major abuses, it is relatively easy to stabilize in the “home” of 6 l/100 km. If we take into account that it is a car with a six-cylinder petrol engine, with almost 400 hp, we realize that it is a reasonable value.
But these are always values using the energy stored in the batteries. If the action is supported only by the gasoline block, they can expect consumption above 9 l/100 km. After all, we are talking about a car that weighs more than two tons (2020 kg).
Sporty or ecological?
The question arises, whether or not we were facing a plug-in hybrid of nearly 400 hp. And the answer is actually quite simple. This saloon is always much more sporty than ecological. And consumption is only part of the equation.
In practical terms, it is easy to see the purpose of this model: to save fuel on shorter journeys and not have problems with autonomy on longer “runs”, while we have a car capable of giving an affirmative answer whenever we want to “climb the rhythm".
The point is that behind the wheel of this 545e we quickly forgot about the “fuel saving” part. This is because its accelerating ability is simply addictive. We find ourselves exploring the dynamic capabilities of this hybrid much more often than “working for averages” and autonomy.
It's not the 545e's fault, let alone the hybrid system. It's ours, only ours. We are the ones who have to discipline ourselves and somehow forget that we have all this power at the disposal of our right foot.
If we do, we begin to understand the essence of this model, which in fact manages to take on very different roles and become an important companion for all the challenges of the week.
It's a Series 5…
And it all starts with the fact that this is a BMW 5 Series, which in itself is a guarantee of good construction, refinement, a well-crafted interior, excellent comfort and a remarkable “roller” ability. To this we still have to add the capabilities as a family car, which are always guaranteed, whether in this Berlin version or (above all) in the Touring version.
And this 545e is no different. The work that BMW has done in terms of sound insulation is remarkable, a detail that gains even more importance when we drive in 100% electric mode and don't listen strictly to anything.
On the highway, it's a real mileage, with the advantage of never conditioning us in terms of autonomy or loading.
In cities, despite being large and heavy, it can be sufficiently agile and stands out for its smooth use, often without “waking up” the gasoline engine.
And when we take him to a road with a good chain of curves, he also shows himself to be equal, respecting the traditions that he carries in his name. This version sees the torque distributed to all four wheels, but even so the rear axle doesn't show a good agility, although what impresses most is the ability to put the force on the road and “shoot” when exiting the curves.
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Is it the right car for you?
Like any other plug-in hybrid, this is a car that only makes sense if it is charged regularly, taking advantage of the possibility to drive using electricity alone whenever possible.
If you are up for it, the 545e proves to be a very interesting proposition and, above all, very versatile. Admittedly, this is a “buzzword” often applied to plug-in hybrids, but this 545e is indeed capable of the “best of both worlds”.
It both provides us with performances and dynamic behavior that would not clash with a BMW M5 (E39), as it manages to “offer” us a daily commute in the city without wasting a single drop of gasoline.
Larger smartphones don't fit the wireless charger "mounted" behind the coasters.
In addition to this, it keeps intact all the features that we praise so much about the current generation of the 5 Series, starting with the quality of the interior and the technological offer, passing through the quality of roadway and the space it offers.
And I assure you, it's great to know that when we “get tired” of family responsibilities or more environmentally friendly driving, we still have a noble six-cylinder petrol engine under the hood…