BMW has dropped
the first official information on the plug-in hybrid member of the range,
namely the 330e. he new BMW 330e combines the company’s latest eDrive technology with
a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder petrol engine.
The petrol engine produces 181 hp while
the electric motor adds a constant 67 hp. The latter however
features a peak output of 107 hp, which will come handy in a
moment. BMW says the combined output of the new 330e’s plug-in hybrid
powertrain is rated at 248 hp and 420 Nm.
The highlight of the new electrified powertrain is
BMW’s new XtraBoost function, which is enabled via the Sport driving mode. That
makes the electric motor contribute up to 40 hp over its constant peak
output, better supporting the petrol engine in dynamic driving conditions. That
translates into a combined peak output of 288 hp.
Other important PHEV-specific figures include an
estimated all-electric range of up to 60 km -50 percent more than the
previous model– and a top speed of 140 km/h in Electric mode. The
plug-in hybrid 3-Series is estimated to return a combined 138mpg UK
(2.0lt/100km) and emit 39g/km of CO2.
BMW claims that the new 330e is capable of doing the
0-100 km/h in 6.0 seconds and hit a top speed of 230 km/h. The eight-speed Steptronic
transmission features a model-specific shifting programme complete with brake
downshifts, combined with an accelerator pedal curve that feels more precise
and sporty than ever.
For better packaging, the electric motor is
integrated into the eight-speed automatic transmission. Thanks to its clever
design, the PHEV-specific transmission is just 15mm longer than a conventional
gearbox unit in other 3-Series models.
The lithium-ion battery pack features a 12 kWh
capacity and is mounted underneath the seats, while the fuel tank rests above
the rear axle. Luggage space is slightly restricted to 375lt.
