The new BMW 330e.

The arrival of the new BMW 330e offers customers another innovative route to Sheer Driving Pleasure. With its plug-in hybrid drive system, the latest BMW 3 Series variant combines the dynamic flair for which the brand is renowned with the option of driving on electric power alone (locally emission-free) and the promise of unbeatable efficiency over longer distances. The BMW 330e therefore brings together high-quality dynamics and extremely low fuel consumption. The fusion of BMW eDrive technology (developed under the BMW EfficientDynamics banner) with a BMW TwinPower Turbo petrol engine has resulted in an efficient and dynamic plug-in hybrid drive system which fits perfectly with the BMW brand: dynamically adept, locally emission-free (thanks to its electric driving system) and efficient.

The plug-in hybrid drive system delivers familiar BMW driving dynamics by pairing a cutting-edge electric motor producing 65 kW/88 hp and a peak torque of 250 Nm / 184 lb-ft with a four-cylinder combustion engine, which develops 135 kW/184 hp and 290 Nm / 214 lb-ft of torque. Combined average fuel consumption in the NEDC cycle is 2.1–1.9 litres* per 100 kilometres (134.5–148.7 mpg imp), with CO2 emissions coming in at 49–44 g/km*. With a system output of 185 kW/252 hp and peak torque of 420 Nm / 310 lb-ft, the BMW 330e accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 6.1 seconds on the way to a top speed of 225 km/h (140 mph). The electric motor and combustion engine send their power to the sedan’s rear wheels via a standard-fitted eight-speed Steptronic transmission. The arrangement of the electric motor in front of the transmission allows the transmission ratios to be used in all-electric mode as well. This means a torque converter can be omitted, which partially cancels out the extra weight of the additional drive unit.

Power delivery akin to a large-capacity combustion engine.
The drive unit’s operating strategy features a permanent electric boost function. Here, the electric motor supplements the power from the combustion engine with 100 Nm / 74 lb-ft of torque and can deliver a brief extra burst – depending on the position of the accelerator – of up to 250 Nm / 184 lb-ft. On the move, this comes across as an extremely forceful and sustained wave of power, similar to the sensation a large-capacity combustion engine might produce. And because ample power is on hand at all times, a superior and relaxed driving feeling results. Overtaking manoeuvres are that much quicker and the BMW 330e offers a rousing sense of driving pleasure on all types of road.

The high-voltage battery, made up of lithium-ion cells, is located underneath the boot and boasts efficient refrigerant cooling including a highly integrated low-temperature circuit. The battery has a total capacity of 7.6 kWh (gross)/5.7 kWh (net), which enables an all-electric and therefore locally emission-free range of around 40 kilometres (25 miles), all of which identifies the BMW 330e as a perfect model for city dwellers and commuters. When the BMW 330e is taking a break, the high-voltage battery can be charged from either a conventional domestic power socket or a BMW i Wallbox. A BMW i Wallbox (charging power: 3.7 kW) will fully charge an empty battery in just two hours and 12 minutes. If only a domestic power socket is available, the process takes three hours.

The neat integration of the high-voltage battery in the compartment under the boot gives the BMW 330e a level load compartment floor, while use of the optional through-loading system with 40:20:40 split rear seat backrests remains unrestricted. Together with its boot capacity of 370 litres, the new BMW 330e thus offers all the everyday practicality of a conventionally powered BMW 3 Series Sedan. Added to which, the intelligent positioning of the electric drive system’s components allows finely balanced weight distribution – 50 per cent over the front axle, 50 per cent over the rear axle – and, in so doing, paves the way for the dynamic and dextrous handling shared by all BMW 3 Series models.

BMW eDrive adapts both to the situation at hand and those ahead.
As well as the Driving Experience Control switch with its SPORT, COMFORT and ECO PRO settings, the driver can also adapt the responses of BMW eDrive to the vehicle’s use at any one time by means of a toggle switch in the centre console. There is a choice of three driving modes: AUTO eDRIVE, MAX eDRIVE and SAVE BATTERY. AUTO eDRIVE ensures the combustion engine and electric motor work together to optimum effect in all driving situations and allows an all-electric top speed of 80 km/h (50 mph). This mode is activated automatically as the default setting every time the car is started up.

In MAX eDRIVE mode the BMW 330e uses the car’s electric power only, drawing on the electric drive system’s full output. A top speed of 120 km/h (75 mph) is possible. Its ability to cover up to 40 kilometres (25 miles) in this all-electric mode makes the BMW 330e the ideal car for commuters or city dwellers, for example, as it allows them to complete their daily journeys extremely efficiently and with an eye on the environment. The combustion engine can, however, cut in at any time if the accelerator is pushed down beyond its kickdown position when additional power is required, e.g. for overtaking.

SAVE BATTERY mode allows the battery’s energy stores to be deliberately maintained – or increased again if the charge level has dropped below 50 per cent. This energy can then be used for pure-electric driving, on a part of the journey running through city streets, for example.

BMW ConnectedDrive assists the driver in a variety of ways.
BMW ConnectedDrive works in tandem with the navigation system to allow even better use of the available electric energy. Here, the system assists the driver with proactive energy management and calculates an operating strategy which responds to the driving style and route profile at hand – and thus ensures the plug-in hybrid drive system is used as efficiently as possible. The system adapts the drive strategy to the overall route profile. For example, the car uses all-electric power along urban streets and electric energy is also deployed on uphill sections so that the system’s full recuperation potential can be used on a subsequent downhill stretch. This equips the BMW 330e perfectly to offer locally emission-free driving, as well as covering longer stretches extremely efficiently and with less impact on the environment. Like all BMW 3 Series models, the BMW 330e has a comfortable and classy interior featuring five seats, practical details and the ergonomic operating concept typical of BMW. Moreover, the BMW 330e comes as standard with auxiliary heating and cooling (output: 5 kW). These functions can be activated by a button on the car key or pre-programmed using a two-week timer either on the iDrive operating system or via the BMW ConnectedDrive smartphone app. The details are shown on the Control Display.

*Provisional figures. Fuel consumption figures based on the EU test cycle for plug-in hybrid vehicles, may vary depending on the tyre format specified.

Further information on official fuel consumption figures, specific CO2 emission values and the electric power consumption of new passenger cars is included in the following guideline: “Leitfaden über Kraftstoffverbrauch, die CO2-Emissionen und den Stromverbrauch neuer Personenkraftwagen” (Guideline for fuel consumption, CO2 emissions and electric power consumption of new passenger cars), which can be obtained from all dealerships, from Deutsche Automobil Treuhand GmbH (DAT), Hellmuth-Hirth-Str. 1, 73760 Ostfildern-Scharnhausen and at http://www.dat.de/en/offers/publications/guideline-for-fuel-consumption.html. Leitfaden CO2 (Guideline CO2) (PDF ‒ 2.7 MB)