The BMW 3 Series and 5 Series receive new plug-in hybrid engines as the entry point to the range

Although the current generations of the BMW 3 Series and 5 Series have been on the market for some time, the 3 Series since early 2019 and the 5 Series since last summer, their ranges are not yet fully complete when it comes to ECO vehicles. Both already offer a plug-in hybrid engine, but BMW will expand this offering with a new plug-in hybrid engine as the entry point to the range.

At present, both the 3 Series and the 5 Series share a plug-in hybrid engine under the 330e and 530e designations, which use a four-cylinder petrol engine producing 184 CV working together with an electric motor of 109 CV. This results in a combined plug-in hybrid system output of 292 CV and 420 Nm of torque, and also features an 8-speed Steptronic automatic gearbox. Starting prices are €55,750 and €67,400 respectively.

For those who do not need so much power and, of course, want to reduce the price while opting for a vehicle with more modest consumption and emissions, BMW will expand the plug-in hybrid offering of the 3 Series and 5 Series with a new engine from next March under the 320e and 520e designations. Specifically, it uses a four-cylinder TwinPower Turbo petrol engine of 2,000 cc with an output of 165 CV, together with an electric motor of 113 CV, so the combined plug-in hybrid system output is 206 CV and torque of 350 Nm, along with an 8-speed Steptronic automatic gearbox.

The combined fuel consumption for the 320e ranges from 2.2 to 1.8 l/100 km for the xDrive Touring and Saloon versions respectively, while CO2 emissions vary between 49 and 41 g/km respectively. The 520e, on the other hand, records combined fuel consumption between 1.9 and 1.8 l/100 km for the Touring and Saloon versions respectively, with CO2 emissions between 43 and 41 g/km.

Both models will use a 12 kWh lithium-ion battery which, depending on the model and version chosen, will provide an electric range of up to 61 km. They can also be driven in fully electric mode as long as speeds do not exceed 140 km/h. Once the battery is depleted, it can be recharged with the cable supplied as standard, which allows a maximum charging power of 3.7 kWh. So, if it is completely drained, you can reach 80% of its capacity in 2.6 hours or have it fully charged in 3.6 hours.

Regardless of being a plug-in hybrid engine, under a standard equipment line the BMW 320e and 520e can be specified in the various available versions, including the M Sport performance package, which gives them a more dynamic and sporty look, together with standard equipment that can be expanded with the various options BMW normally offers. For the time being, the German brand has not revealed the prices they will have in Spain, although we will not have to wait long to find out, as orders will open in spring and their arrival in our showrooms is therefore expected in the summer.

Technical specifications of the cars in this article

SedanBMW Serie 318 versions · from 50,200 €

SedanBMW Serie 516 versions · from 63,450 €