The new BMW 5-series hybrid
'Performance hybrid' looms large these
days, with Lexus prominent in the field.
But they're mostly spoiled by clunky delays
when you floor it, while their engines
rearrange themselves from economy
mode to power mode.
This BMW 5-Series is different. There are
a lot of Beemers in golf club car parks normally-aspirated, diesel and now the
performance hybrid. And there has to be
a reason that so many of us opt for the
Ultimate Driving Machine.
gearbox favours high revs (or you can
paddle it, and it answers alertly). If you
want performance, you have to apply
in advance by rocking a switch, but
then a good time is had by all, until you
deliberately switch back. So when there's
some good road ahead, get into Sport
mode, and the economising goes out the
window.
The engine-stop never happens. The
eight-speed automatic The adaptive
dampers take a more tensioned approach.
You are in a proper BMW. The hybrid is
actually marginally quicker than a 535i,
even though they share exactly the same
306bhp turbo straight-six.
The extra pick-up comes because the
hybrid e-motor is, in Sport, locked to the
engine, acting as a booster when you boot
the throttle and grubbing back charge
only when you lift.
But, that way, you're looking at 20-odd
mpg. So let's switch to Eco mode. Throttle
response softens right off, and, wherever
there's a chance, the engine declutches
and shuts down, the car relying on
forward momentum (decelerating or
going downhill) or e-power.
THE NUMBERS
2979cc, 6cyl, plus e-motor, RWD, 340bhp,
331lb ft, 44.1mpg, 149g/km CO2, 0-62 in
5.9secs, 155mph, 1850kg
THE VERDICT
Two cars in one: sports saloo n and hybrid.
EXCLUSIVE GOLFER
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