The two new variants effectively increase the 5 Series lineup to a total of four variants and all are locally assembled (Complete Knocked Down - CKD) vehicles.
The new 520i Luxury, at RM328,800 (on-the-road without insurance), is now the new base model that's more comfort-oriented than the 530i M Sport at RM338,800.00.
As with all BMW vehicles, these new variants are accompanied by a five-year unlimited mileage warranty with free scheduled service programme.
Also, it comes with a two-year BMW tyre warranty programme for the run-flat tyres, roadside assistance and accident hotline, access to the BMW Group Loyalty+ mobile application (BMW White Card) and BMW Service Online.
With Easy Drive from BMW Group Financial Services Malaysia, ownership of the new 530e M Sport starts from RM4,558 per month, and 520i Luxury starts from RM4,428 per month - based on the estimates of an 80% loan on a four-year tenure, and annual mileage capped at 20,000km.
Both new variants maintain the use of the same B48 2.0-litre (1,998cc) turbocharged engine only the 520i Luxury gets a detuned power output of 184hp (-68hp) from 5,000 to 6,500rpm and 290Nm (-60Nm) of torque from 1,350 to 4,250rpm against the 530i M Sport variant.
The 530e M Sport, however, shares the same system output of 250hp and 420Nm as the 530e Sport.
Power for both cars are still sent to the rear wheels via an eight-speed Steptronic Transmission - allowing it to sprint from 0-100kph in 7.8 seconds (530e in 6.2 seconds) and onwards to a top speed of 235kph.
Both variants are equipped with dynamic stability control, dynamic traction control, cornering brake control, dynamic brake control and antilock braking system with brake assist.
Taking a closer look at the 520i Luxury and it seems to employ the 530e Sport exterior and interior looks - sans the "i" and "eDrive" badges as well as the flap for the charging port.
Colour offerings include Black Sapphire, Glacier Silver, Imperial Blue and Alpine White - all of which feature contrast Black stitching.
This includes the more elegant bumper design from the 530e Sport which is flanked by the adaptive LED headlights with variable light distribution and lower LED fog light stips.
The 520i Luxury rides on smaller 18-inch V-spoke style 684 with 245/45 series run-flat tyres and the body, as well as exhaust tips, have been accented by chrome plating for that perceived "luxury" look.
The cabin's sports seats and sports steering wheel have been upholstered in Dakota leather while the dashboard uses Sensatec vinyl for long-term durability as the cabin gets accented by high gloss-black plastics and aluminium door sill finishers with front and rear illumination.
Also, the 11 pre-defined ambient lighting designs available in six colours are still available too.
It also has the 10.25-inch touchscreen interface of the Navigation System Professional and the high-resolution 12.3-inch multi-functional instrument display with black-panel technology.
A 20GB memory hard drive for audio files has been connected to a 12-speaker 205W HiFi loudspeaker system for the owner's audio pleasures.
Conveniences include the Comfort Access keyless-entry system, automatic quad-zone climate controls, driving assistance with adaptive cruise control, parking assistant and a rearview camera.
Furthermore, it comes equipped with BMW ConnectedDrive features such as Intelligent Emergency Call and Teleservices, Bluetooth connectivity and a USB port with extended smartphone connectivity.
As for the new 530e M Sport variant, it now looks much like its 530i M sport stablemate with the "M" badge placed just aft of the front wheel instead of the usual 'i'.
The wheels still maintain a staggered 19-inch setup, only they are now Style-664 black double-spoke M lightweight wheels that wear the same 245/40 (front) and 275/35 (rear) run-flats with flat tyre indicators.
Stopping power has been up-rated to the blue callipers of the M Sport braking system
At the rear, the bumper is flanked by two-sided exhaust tailpipe finishers with a trapezoidal design in light chrome.
Inside, the accoutrements are sourced from M division and these include the leather steering wheel, illuminated door sill finishers, pedals and front sport seats.
Both steering wheel and sport seats are upholstered in Dakota Leather (Blue on Black) with the headliner in anthracite from BMW Individual.
The cabin is sportily accented with Aluminium Rhombicle and pearl chrome.
Illumination comes from the same 11 predefined designs incorporating six different colours for ambient lighting.
There's also the 12.3-inch colour interface with black-panel technology for the instrument cluster as well as the Navigation System Professional with a 10.25-inch touchscreen interface.
Speaking of amenities, the 530e M Sport has the keyless entry system of Comfort Access, handsfree tailgate operation, quad-zone automatic air-conditioning,
For added safety, it comes with Driving Assistance which includes Lane Departure and Change Warning, front collision alert with brake intervention, rear collision prevention, crossing-traffic warning, Adaptive Cruise Control and Parking Assistant for automatic parallel and perpendicular parking.
Colour options of the new 530e M Sport is available in Black Sapphire or Sophisto Grey can be paired with either Black or Night Blue leather Dakota upholstery.
Another option would be to have Bluestone or Alpine White paired with Black Leather Dakota upholstery.
“The BMW 5 Series has a success story that goes back decades. It is the world’s most successful business sedan – sporty, elegant, and future-oriented. The new variants of the BMW 5 Series will once again set new benchmarks in aesthetic athleticism and technological innovations as well as drive our success further for the coming year,” said managing director Harald Hoelzl.
BMW Group in Germany has delivered over 600,000 vehicles to customers globally within the first quarter of this year alone.
BMW Malaysia contributed 3,100 vehicles (BMW, MINI and BMW Motorrad) to mark a 19% increase over the same period last year and more than 50% had electrified propulsion.
BMW 520i Luxury
BMW 530e M Sport
