Shootout: G30 BMW 530i v BMW 530e PHEV at Litar Dato’ Sagor, Perak



It’s probably not the make or even model you expected us to put out on track. You probably didn’t expect us to pit two different variants of the same model together either but we were sure that it made perfect sense the moment the cameras rolled on these two – the G20 BMW 530i M Sport and 530e M Sport PHEV.

The BMW 5 Series of today is nothing like the ones we saw just 20 years ago. They’re still big, comfortable cruisers with a healthy arsenal of horsepower but now, they’re also agile, nimble and all the adjectives you can think of to describe something big that moves like a ballerina.

So we took them to the Dato’ Sagor Circuit, Perak recently, about 200km away from Kuala Lumpur to see which among the two – the 530i and the 530e PHEV – is the better dancer.

There were five challenges for the two 5s. Each was designed to test the G20 5 Series’ agility, performance, latest features, and even its aesthetics! Yes, we even had a photo challenge on Instagram between GC Mah and Eu Jin to see which angle looked best on the facelift 5 Series launched here in May last year.

Both are dressed with the M Sport body kit but while the 530i produces 252 hp and 350 Nm, the 530e PHEV with electric assistance delivers 252 hp and 420 Nm. The 530e PHEV may be more powerful but it’s also significantly heavier than the purely petrol-powered 530i.

Would the 530e PHEV’s weight be a disadvantage? Can the lighter 530i make up for its lower output? This is one feature video you do not want to miss!

RELATED: (Gallery) BMW 530i M Sport & 530e PHEV M Sport – What’s the difference?