On the outside it looks virtually the same as a conventional-powered 5-Series with the exception of the extra cap on the left side of the rear bumper and the "530 Le" badge on the trunk.
It's a China only version set to be manufactured by the Brilliance-BMW joint venture and is powered by a four-cylinder N20 engine working with an electric motor and a ZF eight-speed automatic gearbox.
The regular engine generates 242 bhp (180 kW) and together with the electric motor it provides the plug-in hybrid 5-Series with a combined output of 272 bhp (203 kW).
More importantly, the vehicle has an average fuel consumption of only 2.1 liters / 100 km (112 mpg US or 134.5 mpg UK) with corresponding CO2 emissions of 49 g/km.
It can also be driven in electric mode for up to 58 km (36 miles) during which it can hit a top speed of 120 km/h (74 mph).
The BMW 530Le is scheduled to enter production next year in Shenyang, Liaoning Province and it will be offered only in the long wheelbase version.
