BMW
330e and 225xe
BMW announced the pricing of their latest plug-in hybrid models,
the 330e and the 225xe.
The new BMW 330e starts
from £ 33,935 in the UK and available now. The plug-in petrol-electric
variant of the 3-Series combines the turbocharged 184 PS 2.0-litre engine with
an 88 PS electric motor for a combined output of 252 PS and a peak torque of 420 Nm
(310 lb-ft).
On the other hand, the
BMW 225xe uses the three-pot, turbocharged 136 PS 1.5-litre petrol engine
combined with an 88 PS electric motor mounted on the back, responsible for
driving only the rear wheels. This makes the 225xe effectively a 4WD model with
a combined 224 PS and 385 Nm (284 lb-ft) of torque.
The 225xe’s hybrid
powertrain will keep us busy for the near future as BMW plans to install it not
only in the X1 crossover but also in various Mini models too. The BMW 225xe has
an electric-only range of up to 25 miles (40 km) and a fuel economy of 141.2 mpg
UK combined with a 0-62 mph time of 6.7 seconds.
The BMW 330e returns a
combined 148.7 mpg UK and CO2 emissions from 44 g/km. Zero to 62 mph comes in just
6.1 seconds and onto to a top speed of 140 mph, yet it remains able of
travelling up to 25 miles also on electric power only.
The 225xe has already
been cleared for the UK Government’s Plug in Car Grant which knocks £ 5,000 off
the asking price, with the 330e also expected to be eligible for it. BMW’s
plug-in range will be completed next year with the arrival of the 740e and
740Le xDrive.
Customers of the new
BMW 330e can order their cars now, with the first deliveries expected in April
2016 while the 225xe will be available from March.
