BMW to Show iPerformance Line in New York
CARS.COM — BMW will highlight several vehicles at the upcoming 2017 New York International Auto Show in April. Three conventionally powered models will be featured: the 2018 540i xDrive and M550i xDrive will be there along with the M760i xDrive and four hybrid offerings from its iPerformance sub-brand.
Related: More 2017 New York Auto Show News
These cars use some of the electronics, batteries and other technology from the separate BMW i brand, which sells the i3 and i8 electric cars. But instead of unique electric vehicles, the company has stuffed these systems into its conventional vehicles.
On display will be the new 330e iPerformance based on the 3 Series sedan, the 530e iPerformance from the 5 Series, the 740e xDrive iPerformance full-size luxury sedan and the X5 xDrive40e iPerformance SUV.
Both the 330e and 530e use a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine combined with an electric motor to produce 248 horsepower and 310 pounds-feet of torque. Combined with the ability to plug the car in and charge its lithium-ion batteries, this system enables the 330e to go 14 miles on electric power only, or 15 miles for the 530e.
The 740e xDrive iPerformance adds all-wheel drive to the mix and tucks the components into the big 7 Series luxury flagship sedan. It uses a 2.0-liter engine and an electric motor integrated into its eight-speed automatic transmission to achieve 322 hp and 295 pounds-feet of torque. It can go about 14 miles in electric-only mode.
If you need more room, pop into the X5 xDrive40e iPerformance based on BMW’s X5 SUV but featuring a similar powertrain setup of 2.0-liter four-cylinder and electric motor, good for 308 hp and 332 pound-feet of torque. It makes the X5 iPerformance quick — with BMW reporting zero-to-60 mph in 6.5 seconds — but also enables it to go 14 miles on pure electric before employing the gas engine.
The 530e iPerformance goes on sale later this spring, while the other three iPerformance models are currently in BMW showrooms right now. See them all in our coverage of the New York auto show in April.
