2018 BMW 3-Series EV
Aside from putting up a better fight
against the current Audi A4, Mercedes C-Class and Jaguar XE, the next 3-Series
(G20) is rumored to also show up in full EV mode in order to give the Tesla
Model 3 a run for its money.
According to AutoExpress, the German
automaker knows what it needs to do in order to keep the 3-Series on top of its
game, which is why plug-in hybrid and all-electric versions are expected to
show up during the G20's life-cycle. The next 3-Series is also getting BMW's
all-new CLAR platform, which stands for 'Cluster Architecture'. By using the
new platform, the 3-Series could shed as much as 80 kg in weight,
thanks to the lighter components, likely to be used around the pillars, door
frames and the transmission tunnel.
The lower weight would help improve the
car's handling characteristics as well as overall agility, both key factors
against the likes of the XE and Alfa Romeo's Giulia, which have gotten lots of
favorable reviews lately. Smaller engines would help too, which is why we can
expect the 318i's entry-level 1.5-liter three-cylinder petrol engine to endure.
In terms of diesel power, while the 2.0-liter units should remain key, we might
also see a three-cylinder 1.6-liter diesel with 114 HP.
As for electrification, BMW engineers
are said to be working on a 90 kWh battery pack which could potentially give
the 3-Series EV (likely to be called eDrive Sport) a range of about 482 km. While the eDrive may not arrive until 2020, we can expect at least
one plug-in hybrid version to be available from launch - specifically a new
version of the 330e, using an updated 2.0-liter petrol engine and an 87 HP
electric motor (plus a larger battery pack to increase EV-only range).
BMW's next 3-Series is likely to make
its debut sometime next year.
Source : Carscoops
