BMW Oz to offer three 330e variants

BMW Australia will offer not one but three variants of its first plug-in 3 Series, the 330e when it arrives in showrooms in May.

The German car-maker announced its plan to release plug-in versions of its two most popular models – the 3 Series and X5 – in mid-February.

A week later it confirmed local starting prices and specifications for both models, at $71,900 for the 330e and $118,900 for the X5 xDrive40e.

Now motoring.com.au has learned there will be three 330e variants on offer here from May: the 330e Sport Line and 330e Luxury Line both priced at $71,990, and the 330e M Sport priced $2000 higher at $73,900 plus on-road costs.

That makes the base 330e models just $2000 more expensive than the turbo-six 330i, and the 330e M Sport $4000 pricier.

Likewise, the fuel-sipping X5 xDrive40e matches the X5 40d variant on price and specification.

BMW was the first German luxury brand to offer hybrid models with the ActiveHybrid 3, 5 and 7, and now its first mainstream plug-in models (apart from the i3 hatch and i8 coupe) offer more than 30km of zero-emissions driving.

Both cars are powered by a turbocharged 2.0-litre petrol engine driving through an eight-speed automatic transmission, with an electric motor located between the petrol engine and transmission.

The 330e produces 135kW and 290Nm from its petrol engine and 65kW/250Nm from the electric motor. Together the two generate 185kW and 420Nm for a 0-100km/h time of 6.1 seconds and combined-cycle fuel consumption of 2.1L/100km (49g/km).

Mounted under the boot floor, the 330e’s battery is a 7.6kWh lithium-ion unit. Access to the boot via the triple-split folding rear seat is unimpeded and the boot capacity is 370 litres.

The X5’s engine produces a healthier 180kW and 350Nm and is supplemented by an 83kW/250Nm electric motor for a combined output of 230kW and 450Nm.

BMW claims that with petrol and electric drive units operating the X5 xDrive40e will sprint to 100km/h in 6.8 seconds from a standing start. Combined-cycle consumption is 3.3L/100km and the CO2 emissions are rated at 77g/km.

The electric motor draws its power from a 9kWh lithium ion battery under the boot floor of the X5, and luggage capacity – at 500 litres with the seats raised – is little diminished from the conventional vehicle’s boot space, the prestige importer says.

In keeping with other plug-in hybrids, both the 330e and X5 xDrive40e can be recharged by the petrol engine on the move, or from a domestic power supply.

BMW also offers buyers its iWallbox product for faster charging, and both cars can be recharged at public charging stations. Braking energy is also be recoverable, to keep the battery charged longer.

As we've reported, standard features for the 330e include Acoustic Protection for pedestrians, ConnectedDrive eDrive Services, 19-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, head-up display, DAB+ digital radio, Driving Assistant, parking Assistant, Surround View and Comfort Access. Features bundled together under the umbrella of Driving Assistant include Approach Control Warning, Lane Departure Warning, Pedestrian Warning with light city braking activation.

Other standard equipment for the 3 Series plug-in comprise Cruise control with braking function, Lane Change Warning, front/rear parking sensors, reversing camera, lights package, LED tail lights, electric seat adjustment for front seats with memory function, sport leather steering wheel, stationary cooling, 8.8-inch Navigation system Professional and leather upholstery.

The X5 xDrive40e also comes with Acoustic Protection for pedestrians, ConnectedDrive eDrive Services, 19-inch alloy wheels, DAB+ digital radio, Driving Assistant, Parking Assistant, Surround View and Comfort Access. But the petrol/electric X5 also features as standard bi-xenon headlights with High Beam Assist, Comfort adaptive suspension with Dynamic Damper Control, leather-trimmed dash, Harman/Kardon surround sound system and auto tailgate.

Additionally, the X5 plug-in comes as standard with cruise control (with braking function), front/rear parking sensors, reversing camera, lights package, leather-trimmed electric sports seats with memory function for the driver’s seat, sport leather steering wheel, stationary cooling, storage compartment package, extended smartphone connectivity and 10.25-inch Navigation system Professional.

Acoustic Protection is an artificial noise generated by the plug-in vehicle at speeds up to 30km/h to alert pedestrians of the vehicle’s approach. The eDrive Services is basically an additional module of ConnectedDrive services specifically for plug-in owners and comprising information concerning charging station locations, battery charge status, vehicle range and charging timer set-up.