Ahead of its Frankfurt debut, the 2016 BMW 330e plug-in hybrid was unveiled today. Along with the BMW X5 xDrive40e, the 330e hybrid paves the road for future eDrive-powered model arriving before 2020.
The BMW 330e is powered by a four-cylinder petrol engine with 184 hp and an 88 hp electric motor The latter is integrated into the housing of the eight-speed automatic and provides permanent torque of 100 Newton meters. At full throttle, the electric motor can produce, briefly, up to 250 Newton meters.
Together, the two motors deliver a system output of 252 hp, bringing the 330e on par with the conventionally powered models 330i and 330d. This applies only to performance, because the EU consumption of 44 to 49 grams CO2 of the plug-in hybrid is, of course, in a league of its own. The fuel consumption is 1.9 to 2.1 liter per 100 km.
Thanks to an electric range of up to 40 kilometers, some customers might find the 330e to be strong candidate for their daily driver.
The energy for electric driving is stored in a lithium-ion battery beneath the boot floor; the high-voltage battery has a capacity of 7.6 kWh and can even be fully charged at a conventional household outlet in 3 hours and 15 minutes.
Despite the additional technology, the BMW 330e has a trunk space of at least 370 liters of luggage compartment volume; the rear seat offer a 40:20 40 split. Dynamic drivers may also be pleased about the fact that the weight of the 330e is evenly distributed on both axles. With an EU-empty weight of 1735 kg, the 330e plug-in hybrid is around 160 kilograms heavier than an ordinary 330i, and 120 kg lighter than 330d.
The BMW 330e will run from 0–60 mph in 6.1 with a top speed of 140 mph.
