The new BMW 330e Sedan offers up to 66 kilometres of zero-emission range

The new BMW 330e Sedan now offers up to 50% more range, reaching 66 kilometres. According to the Bavarian brand itself, the addition of a plug-in hybrid system brings an “additional angle, particularly focused on the future, to the core attributes of this new sports sedan”.

This new German electrified model combines the latest generation of BMW eDrive technology with a four-cylinder petrol engine to significantly enhance the model’s sporting prowess. Its launch is already underway, and it aims to “offer an even richer electric driving experience”.

This new model from the electrified BMW family is the first to fit the XtraBoost system, which, fitted as standard, increases the output of the plug-in hybrid system to a maximum of 292 CV. According to BMW, “the rapid responses of the driving system lead the driving characteristics of the new BMW 330e Sedan. In addition, its electric range is more than 50% greater than that of its predecessor”.

In the BMW 330e Sedan, “the intelligently controlled interaction of the electric motor and the combustion engine reaches a completely new level. The electrification of the powertrain contributes more than ever not only to increased efficiency but also to a distinctive form of driving pleasure. The plug-in hybrid system combines the capabilities of a four-cylinder 2.0-litre petrol engine with BMW TwinPower Turbo technology and 184 CV with the talent of an electric motor generating a maximum output of 113 CV. Together, the two drive sources produce a maximum system torque of 420 Nm”. The combustion engine is coupled to an eight-speed Steptronic transmission that includes the regenerative braking system.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GzWvu4VjRb8

The BMW 330e Sedan is equipped with XtraBoost to achieve maximum performance

This sports sedan is the first to be fitted with the XtraBoost system. The driver can activate the system by pressing Sport mode with the Driving Experience Control; the accelerator then provides an additional 40 CV on top of the 252 CV of combined power the car already offers. This extra power lasts for ten seconds.

“The instant-impact XtraBoost offers a significantly more intense acceleration experience than a conventional-engined vehicle with comparable performance could provide,” say the Bavarian brand’s engineers. In addition, the new BMW 330e Sedan can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.9 seconds and can reach a top speed of 230 km/h.

“The driving experience is accompanied by a model-specific and emotionally appealing sound from the driving system, which also makes its way into the interior. Thus, the new BMW 330e Sedan vividly displays its sporty and dynamic side, combined with the proven qualities of a plug-in hybrid car”.

Hybrid mode, how does it work?

In Hybrid driving mode, the new BMW 330e Sedan can reach speeds of up to 110 km/h on electric power alone, an increase of 30 km/h over its predecessor. And Electric mode opens the door to local emission-free driving at 140 km/h, compared with 120 km/h. The standard features specific to the new BMW 330e Sedan’s hybrid powertrain include pedestrian acoustic protection. When driving on electric power, an external speaker system generates a distinctive sound created specifically for electrified BMW models. At low speeds, the tailored sound of the drive system provides an audible presence without affecting the acoustic comfort of those on board.

The new electric motor of the BMW 330e Sedan is integrated into the eight-speed Steptronic transmission, saving space. The intelligent design means that the hybrid-specific version of the transmission is no more than 15 millimetres longer than the corresponding combustion-engined variants of the new BMW 3 Series Sedan. Energy generation through the recovery of braking energy, where the electric motor acts as a generator, works particularly effectively. The electrical energy channelled into the high-voltage battery in this way, or when connected to the mains, also powers the vehicle’s 12-volt onboard power supply. All of this produces a generator surplus driven by a combustion engine as required, further improving the overall efficiency of the system.

With a gross energy content of 12.0 kWh, the lithium-ion high-voltage battery in the new BMW 330e Sedan enables an increase in electric range, as we have mentioned. It is mounted beneath the rear seats, while the petrol tank sits over the rear axle. This means the plug-in hybrid’s cargo carrying capacity is reduced only slightly, and the 375-litre boot capacity can be expanded as needed thanks to the 40:20:40 split-folding rear seatbacks.

Customers who opt for the plug-in hybrid model can choose from practically the full list of options available for the new BMW 3 Series. The new model is also offered in Advantage, Sport Line, Luxury Line or M Sport trim as an alternative to the basic specification. It can also be ordered with features including Adaptive M suspension with variable sport steering and M Sport brakes. From November 2019, the new BMW 330e Sedan will also be available with a towbar with swivel tow hitch. The maximum trailer load for the plug-in hybrid model is 750 kilograms.

Technical specifications of this car

SedanBMW Serie 318 versions · from 50,200 €