SPY PICS: BMW plugs in 3 Series
Plug-in hybrids are heading to a BMW dealer near you very soon, including this oneAfter it ploughed the road with the i3, BMW is hell bent on swinging its new-found plug-in hybrid (PHEV) prowess into every mainstream model it makes.
That, obviously, includes the 3 Series, spied here in development testing for the first time.
Insiders expect the 3 Series PHEV to combine the BMW Group’s new turbocharged direct-injection three-cylinder petrol engine (just launched in the MINI Cooper) with a lithium-ion battery pack mounted under the rear seat and a disc-shaped electric motor between the engine and eight-speed automatic transmission.
BMW already offers (non-plug-in) petrol-electric hybrid versions of the 3, 5 and 7 Series sedans, and now it is about to tell the world of its intention to deliver PHEV versions of the 1, 3 and 5 Series, and the X3 and X5, with others to follow as soon as the mainstream models have been rolled out.
BMW’s goal is to provide at least 50km of pure electric range, a compromise distance that fulfills most global commuting demands without incurring too many weight and cost penalties due to the heavy and expensive battery units.
While the X5 PHEV will be the first to production, arriving either late this year or early next year, this plug-in 3 Series sedan will have to wait until after BMW’s surprisingly early facelift of its biggest seller, which has been brought forward to late 2015.
BMW also has a tie-in with Toyota, essentially trading diesel engine technology for the Japanese company’s acknowledged hybrid prowess, but BMW is refusing to admit the 3 Series will benefit from the Asian engineering.
“We learned a lot from the i3 program and that knowledge will go into all of our mainstream models,” a BMW insider said.
“The 3 Series won’t be the first, though. I wouldn’t even expect it to be here when the facelift arrives.
“It’s not that it’s a low priority because it’s just about our most important car, but it’s expensive and heavy technology and you have to go where the highest demand is first, and that’s with the X5.”
Read the latest news and reviews on your mobile, iPhone or PDA at carsales' mobile site...
Don't forget to register to comment on this article.
Please see our Editorial Guidelines & Code of Ethics (including for more information about sponsored content and paid events). The information published on this website is of a general nature only and doesn’t consider your particular circumstances or needs.
