BMW 545e, the most powerful plug-in hybrid from the Bavarian brand?

The German brand has wanted to give all the details of its new plug-in hybrid model. It is called BMW 545e and forms part of its future electrification strategy. In this plan, the Bavarian manufacturer has also wanted to explain what the ‘eDrive zones’ will be.

The new model, which will be added to the range in the coming months, borrows its powertrain from the BMW 745e and the BMW X5 xDrive45e. That means a 3.0-litre six-cylinder inline petrol engine coupled to a 110 CV electric motor, for a combined system output of 290 CV and a maximum torque of 600 Nm.

That makes it the fastest plug-in hybrid in BMW, now that the sports car, the BMW i8, is out of production. The BMW 545e can go from 0-100 km/h in 4.7 seconds and reaches a limited top speed of 249 km/h. Its 12 kWh battery provides a claimed electric range of between 45 and 55 km, depending on specification. No further details, including prices, have yet been published.

At the same time, the brand has confirmed significant changes to its original 2013 electrification plan, thanks to “learnings over seven years and 74 markets”, according to BMW Group’s head of corporate affairs, Weiland Bruch.

BMW raises its commitment to electrified vehicles

The first key point is that BMW will continue to develop an additional range of petrol and diesel engines, unlike several brands that have abandoned diesel altogether or plan to switch fully to electric vehicles. The German manufacturer states that it will equip all the petrol and diesel cars it makes with a 48V mild-hybrid system within the next two years. These will continue to play a fundamental role in the brand’s future, since full electric vehicles, the manufacturer says, are still far from becoming a mainstream choice for buyers.

The company “is not in favour of” so-called ‘self-charging’ hybrids, and says that if it can incorporate full hybrid technology into a car, then it should “make the most of it” with a plug-in system. Its goal is a minimum of at least 80 km of fully electric range for all PHEVs.

In addition, BMW has also stated that, by 2021, a quarter of its sales will be plug-in hybrids and electric vehicles, rising to a third by 2025 and half by 2030. Its first hydrogen model will be a large SUV with a 370 CV powertrain revealed earlier this year, while Bruch predicts a “larger-scale rollout” of fuel cell models by 2025.

Importantly, BMW’s new plug-in hybrids will integrate new options, including the new ‘eDrive Zones‘. They will launch for the first time in the UK in London and Birmingham, will be extended to future cities, and will allow cars to switch automatically to fully electric mode when entering city limits. Another new feature is the eDrive Points, a system that lets drivers accumulate virtual points for every kilometre driven on electric power, which can be exchanged for “attractive rewards”.

Technical specifications of this car

SedanBMW Serie 516 versions · from 63,450 €