The BMW M Next concept is unquestionably the highlight of the company's big "Next" conference. It looks like a modern M1 and has a 600 horsepower plug-in hybrid powertrain, so how could it not? Yet BMW also revealed something with an even more powerful and potentially more interesting powertrain, and it was wrapped up in a current BMW 5 Series body.

It's called Project BEV, and its a development mule BMW created for experimenting with electric powertrains. And what that's resulted in is a fully electric 5 Series with 711 horsepower, which is 111 more horsepower than the current twin-turbo V8 M5 or the aforementioned M Next concept. Power comes from a trio of electric motors. One is mounted up front to provide extra traction as needed, while the other two are paired at the rear, one for each wheel. Unsurprisingly, this design allows for active torque vectoring that could make for some impressive cornering ability. And with all-wheel drive and 711 electric ponies, BMW says Project BEV will hit 62 mph in under 3 seconds.

There are a couple other interesting tidbits about Project BEV, such as the fact that BMW got everything packaged into the 5 Series without taking up passenger space. That's seriously impressive that BMW could get three motors and their accompanying batteries, cooling equipment and more stuffed into a production car that was never designed for it in the first place. Granted, BMW doesn't say anything about cargo space, so the trunk may have lost some usability, but its impressive nonetheless. Additionally, all three motors were built without using any rare-earth metals. The company notes that the upcoming iX3 electric crossover's motor also lacks rare earth metals.

Naturally, this being a research vehicle, we'll probably see various production vehicles take advantage of some of the technologies demonstrated, but at more modest performance scales. We sure hope BMW does decide to put a version of this super-powered three-motor powertrain into a production car, though, because it sounds like a blast.

BMW South Africa has restored a 1976 BMW 530 MLE. The car is known as the first unofficial BMW M car. It actually came to the market two years before the M1 supercar. The folks who restored it took two years to do so, and the hard work looks to have paid off. This car is absolutely gorgeous.

The chassis number is 770100 and BMW South Africa revealed the restored car at the BMW Group Plant Rosslyn on October 8. Luis Malhou of Custom Restorations and his team were the people who took the 530 MLE from its previously unrestored condition and turned it into the car you see here. The original BMW Group South Africa employees who built the car in the 1970s were in attendance at the car’s reveal on the 8th.

The 530 MLE came to be because BMW South Africa wanted racing cars. The company built two 5-Series racing cars and raced in the Modified Production Series in South Africa. The cars won 15 races and three championships. The car was retired in 1985. It’s the most successful 5-Series in BMW’s racing history.

To qualify for the racing series, BMW had to build at least 100 road versions of the car. The company made 110 units in 1976 and 117 in 1977. The car was sold as the BMW 530 Motorsport Limited Edition. It featured the same straight-six engine as the standard car but was tuned to a more impressive 197 hp and 204 lb-ft of torque. The car could do a 0-62mph sprint in 9.3 seconds and reach 129 mph top speed. Not fast by today’s standards, but it was a quick car back when it was racing.

This restored model is the only full 530 MLE believed to still exist, according to Carscoops. That makes it a very important piece of automotive history.

One year ago today, our spy photographers captured a lightly camouflaged BMW M5 believed to be the hotter CS variant. Today, new spy photos show what appears to be a production-ready version of the BMW M5 CS with the correct badge, rear spoiler, and wheels. But we have questions.

BMW is preparing to launch a refreshed version of not only its 5 Series sedan and wagon but the hotter M5 version as well, which we spied for the first time last month. The BMW M5 CS in the new photos shows it’s based on the current BMW M5 offering and not the upcoming refresh, which is a bit strange. However, it could indicate that the updated M5 is still a year or more away from entering production, which would allow the BMW M5 CS to be a swan song for the high-performance sedan.

If the M5 CS is like other BMW CS variants, then customers should expect it to use the same twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 making 617 horsepower (460 kilowatts) power the model. There are rumors of a more potent engine in the works, but it sounds like it’s still a few years away. The model should also sport a rear decklid spoiler reminiscent of the ones seen on the M3 and M4 CS models. The design should receive minor tweaks for improved aerodynamics and cooling, and there should be extensive use of carbon fiber to help cut weight and increase the car’s overall performance.

BMW lifted the sheet off its updated 2021 5 Series late Tuesday, showing off a series of styling revisions, an overhauled plug-in hybrid model and some refinement tweaks to the lineup's powertrain offerings. The midsize 5 Series sedan has been a staple of the German luxury brand's lineup for decades, and the seventh-generation sedan's latest round of improvements should ensure that it's the best example yet.

Since this is merely a mid-cycle refresh, the changes to the 2021 5 Series are not comprehensive. Like the rest of BMW's lineup, the new 5 Series receives the brand's controversial new kidney grille design, albeit with slightly less drama than some of the proposed concepts. The head- and taillights have both been redesigned, as have both the front and rear bumpers (for both the base car and the M Sport package). In addition to a slightly different look, these changes also increased the overall length of the sedan by a little more than an inch.

If you were hoping for more power out of the updated 5 Series, the news is somewhat mixed. While the plug-in hybrid 530e is getting a pretty healthy dose of additional power, the 530i, 540i and M550i models are carrying on essentially unchanged, with 248, 335 and 523 horsepower, respectively. The PHEV got a bump from 248 to 288 horsepower (and 310 pound-feet of torque) thanks to revisions to the electrified parts of the powertrain.



That's not to say that the gasoline engines were left untouched. In fact, the inline-six received some pretty heavy revisions, including a 48-volt mild hybrid system that BMW says will not only improve overall efficiency, but enables a couple of new features, including an enhanced engine auto-stop/start feature that can decouple and shut off the engine below 9 mph in order to conserve fuel. At speeds between 16 and 99 mph, the car can also coast on EV power alone, again shutting off the engine.

BMW also made some adjustments to the hydraulic components of the eight-speed automatic transmission found throughout the lineup to improve responsiveness and refinement. The dampers isolating the powertrain from the body and chassis have also been revised to reduce unwanted noise and vibration.

Inside, the new 5 Series gets a handful of visual updates along with an updated infotainment system running the latest version of the company's Intelligent Personal Assistant. Not to be confused with a bitter brew, IPA is a natural language interface that responds to "Hey, BMW" and allows for voice control over most of the electronic accessories, including the new 12.3-inch touchscreen (up from 10.25") that sits atop the center stack. Navigation, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto Compatibility are included as standard equipment, and a new Drive Recorder system can monitor vehicle cameras and save footage to an external USB drive.

The 2021 530i sedan will start at $55,195 (including a $995 destination fee), and customers can place orders starting this month. The 5 Series will arrive in showrooms in July.

With a ten-year plan for sustainability, the BMW Group is underscoring its commitment to the goals of the Paris climate agreement, the main focus being on the expansion of electric mobility. More than 500,000 electrified vehicles were sold by the end of 2019 and this figure will most likely rise to over 1 million by the end of 2021. The BMW 5-Series makes a substantial contribution towards achieving both past and future goals. With almost 50,000 units, BMW 5-Series plug-in hybrid models were the most successful electrified models in the BMW Group's portfolio worldwide in 2019.

Extension of the BMW 5-Series to include five plug-in hybrid models

With an increase from two to five models featuring innovative plug-in hybrid drive by November 2020, the new BMW 5-Series offers the largest range of PHEVs within one BMW Group model series.

The latest generation of BMW eDrive technology in conjunction with a four-cylinder petrol engine powers the BMW 530e plug-in hybrid models. July 2020 saw the launch of the new BMW 530e Sedan and the new BMW 530e xDrive Sedan.

Top of the range model: The new BMW 545e xDrive Sedan

The new BMW 545e xDrive Sedan features a synchronous electric motor delivering a maximum power output of 80 kW/109 hp, which is combined with an efficient straight six-cylinder petrol engine with BMW TwinPower Turbo Technology and 210 kW/286 hp, together generating an overall system output of 290 kW/394 hp. Power is distributed as required to all four wheels via an 8-speed Steptronic transmission and intelligent BMW xDrive four-wheel drive. Maximum system torque is 600 Nm and top speed is reached at 250 km/h, whilst a speed of 140 km/h is possible in purely electric operation. From a standstill, the new BMW 545e xDrive accelerates to a speed of 100 km/h in just 4.7 seconds. Thus, the BMW 545e xDrive clearly excels as the most dynamic of all BMW six-cylinder plug-in hybrids.

Thanks to intelligently controlled interaction between both drive systems, the new BMW 545e xDrive combines the best of two worlds. It facilitates not only purely electric driving in urban traffic and efficient commuting between home and the workplace, but also excels through dynamic performance and comfortable long-distance travel. With a purely electric range of 54-57 kilometres and an average fuel consumption of 2.4-2.1 litres/100 km, the new BMW 545e xDrive combines brand-typical driving dynamics and a high level of long-distance ride comfort with extremely efficient use of resources.

The latest plug-in hybrid model of the BMW 5-Series is fitted with a 400V lithium-ion battery which is positioned under the rear seat in order to save space. With a luggage volume of 410 litres, the transport capacity of the BMW 545e xDrive is only slightly smaller than of those model variants which are fitted with a conventional engine.

Different driving modes for maximum efficiency in accordance with the relevant driving style and situation

In order to make optimum use of the combination of the straight six-cylinder engine featuring ultra-smooth running characteristics and eDrive technology in all driving situations, the BMW 545e xDrive supports the driver in numerous ways in terms of energy management. Various driving modes, some of which can be individualised in their operation, are simply selected by pressing the corresponding button on the centre console.

The HYBRID mode is the default setting, which ensures a balanced set-up and an intelligent interaction between combustion engine and electric motor. It is also possible to select ELECTRIC mode as the standard setting via the iDrive menu. In HYBRID mode, the electric motor is predominantly used. The combustion engine only kicks in at higher speeds or under intensive load conditions. Since the system is linked to the navigation system, the interaction between combustion engine and electric motor can be adapted more precisely to the route profile, topography and other driving situations in an anticipatory manner. The electric range is increased by recuperation in overrun and braking phases. The energy supply saved in this way can then be used specifically for locally emission-free driving through urban areas and the arrival at the defined destination.

By pressing the HYBRID button twice, an efficiency-optimised version of this operating mode (HYBRID ECO PRO) is activated

The coasting function on the overrun, among other things, contributes to a further reduction in consumption. The navigation and sensor data-supported control system also optimises the effectiveness of braking energy recovery. When approaching a junction or a vehicle driving ahead, for example, infinitely adaptive recuperation can be put to particularly intensive use for the purpose of deceleration.

In SPORT mode, the electric motor supports the straight six-cylinder petrol engine when the overall system output of 290 kW/394 hp is fully needed. The set-up is designed for dynamic performance, and the gearshift program is sporty.

The ELECTRIC mode, on the other hand, enables locally purely emission-free driving up to 57 kilometres and up to 140 km/h.

Special sounds for a special driving experience

The new "ready to drive sound" produced by the BMW 545e xDrive is the result of the collaboration with composer Hans Zimmer and is designed to trigger joyful anticipation of the electric drive when the driver enters the vehicle and presses the Start/Stop button.

A distinctive sound created especially for electrified BMW models is used for the purpose of acoustic pedestrian protection, emitted via a speaker system. The sound design in the low speed range of up to 30 km/h radiates a vibrant acoustic presence, though without impairing the acoustic comfort of vehicle occupants.

Likewise, via the vehicle audio system, "Active Sound Design" provides for an authentic and, in the SPORT mode of the Driving Experience Control Switch, for a particularly intense and pronounced sound.

Electric mobility meets digitalisation: Digital services for the plug-in hybrid models of the BMW 5-Series

The BMW Group also offers innovative digital services that actively contribute towards increasing the attractiveness of electric driving even further.

The BMW eDrive Zone service facilitates the automatic switching over of the drive system to purely electric mode when entering an urban low-emission zone and similar inner-city areas. In addition, local emission-free driving with a BMW plug-in hybrid model is rewarded through the globally unique loyalty programme BMW Points.

Apart from filling stations, the navigation system also displays public charging points. When selecting a charging station, the driver is also provided with a forecast on its occupation status as well as recommendations for nearby restaurants or cafés. Moreover, BMW enables BMW Charging customers to reserve an enabled charging station for a limited period of time.

Furthermore, other products from BMW Charging also offer the possibility of comfortable charging at home and when out and about. These also comprise various versions of the Wallbox, including installation service, individual offers for the purchase of electricity and access to the world's largest network of public charging stations comprising more than 155,000 charging points in Europe alone.

Preconditioning of the interior by means of auxiliary heating and air conditioning ensures optimised comfort during any season. If the preconditioning system is activated during the charging process after defining a specific departure time, the system also guarantees the full electric range in drive mode. The system is controlled either from inside the vehicle or conveniently via the My BMW app.