BMW 330e PHEV unveiled, has a pure-electric range of 40 km – IAB Report

Set to launch by early next year.

BMW will be take the wraps off the BMW 330e plug-in hybrid sedan and BMW 225xe plug-in hybrid Active Tourer at the Frankfurt Motor Show 2015 on September 15.

The BMW 330e plug-in hybrid will join the facelifted BMW 3-series lineup in early 2016. The dimensions of the sedan are similar to the standard 3-series, which measures at 4633 mm, 1811 mm and 1429 mm in length, width and height, respectively, while having a wheelbase of 2810 mm.

It derives power from the 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine and has the electric motor placed in front of the 8-speed automatic transmission. Unlike the BMW 225xe, the 330e sends power to the rear wheels. The electric motor also recuperates energy when the car is decelerating and is capable of 88 PS and 250 Nm of instant torque.

The petrol motor, on the other hand generates 184 PS and 290 Nm of peak torque output. The combined output of 252 PS and 420 Nm is enough to propel the 330e from 0-100 km/h in just 6.1 seconds, before hitting a top speed of 225 km/h.

BMW claims a fuel efficiency figure of 47.6 kmpl and an EU emission rating of 44 g/km. The 7.6 kWh lithium-ion battery enables the car to travel upto 40 km in pure-electric mode, before the petrol motor jumps in and increases the range to 600 km. Also, the BMW 330e has a top speed of 120 km/h in pure-electric mode.

Since the Li-Ion battery is placed underneath the boot, the 480 liter boot capacity of the standard BMW 3 Series had to be reduced to 370 liters for the BMW 330e, though they claim to have retained the 50/50 weight distribution.

BMW 330e unveiled - Press Release

[Slideshare link]