Photo: carpix
For quite some time now, we knew that BMW was working on a plug-in hybrid model for the 3 Series range. As the facelift model inches closer to production, the Germans decided to shed some light into the matter, revealing part of the specs behind the upcoming 328e model.
As the name might suggest at first, the power and torque figures of the ‘electrified’ version will be close to the ones of the 328i. However, BMW still refuses to reveal the complete specs of the thing. According to their press release, the new car will have ‘approximately’ 245 HP and 400 Nm (295 lb-ft) of torque coming from the hybrid power train.
That power train will be made up of a N20 2-liter 4-cylinder turbocharged engine and an electric motor, mounted on the rear axle. Just like it’s the case with the X5 eDrive Concept, the two will be working together, seamlessly.
The normal 328i uses the same internal combustion unit, tuned to deliver 245 HP on its own, but less torque, rated somewhere at 350 Nm (258 lb-ft). With the added torque of the electric motor, things should be spiced up.
Even so, we can’t ignore the presence of the batteries that will be needed to power the motor. They will be installed towards the end of the car, most likely in the boot, eating up some of the luggage space. BMW declined to offer more details as to their exact location or the capacity they will have but do mention that the practicality of the 3 Series won’t be drastically affected.
Thanks to the 8-speed automatic gearbox, the car will be capable of going up to a top speed of 120 km/h (75 mph) on electric power alone and cover a range of 22 miles (35 km). Not only that but according to BMW, the average fuel consumption will be ‘approximately’ 2 l/100 km (117 mpg) with 50g/km CO2 emissions when in Comfort mode. Those are even better numbers than the i8 that is rated at 2.1 l/100 km (112 mpg).
Apart from that, there’s also an intelligent energy management system on board that controls the power train and allows you to charge up your car’s battery on the go.
You get to choose between different plug-in hybrid modes. Going into MAX eDrive you drive with zero emissions, using the car’s stored energy to zoom around town. You can also go into SAVE Battery mode where the 3er will be charging its battery. The process takes place even faster if the battery is under 50 percent.
This way, you can charge your battery outside town to make sure you go around in it with zero emissions. It’s going to be particularly good for megacities, where a combustion tax might be quite pricy.
For now, things are looking good and BMW claims that the same technology will be used throughout all of its brands in the future, including M cars and MINIs. Until we get the final numbers, we should all take all this news about our ‘electrified’ future with a grain of salt.
UPDATE: BMW released a full set of photos of their 3 Series LCI Plug-In Hybrid Prototype and its drivetrain. We attached them all in the photo gallery below.
That power train will be made up of a N20 2-liter 4-cylinder turbocharged engine and an electric motor, mounted on the rear axle. Just like it’s the case with the X5 eDrive Concept, the two will be working together, seamlessly.
The normal 328i uses the same internal combustion unit, tuned to deliver 245 HP on its own, but less torque, rated somewhere at 350 Nm (258 lb-ft). With the added torque of the electric motor, things should be spiced up.
Even so, we can’t ignore the presence of the batteries that will be needed to power the motor. They will be installed towards the end of the car, most likely in the boot, eating up some of the luggage space. BMW declined to offer more details as to their exact location or the capacity they will have but do mention that the practicality of the 3 Series won’t be drastically affected.
75 mph and 22 miles electric range
The plug-in hybrid will also be usable in all electric mode. Thanks to driving modes, the car will be usable in either ECO PRO, Comfort or Sport settings and the entire drive train will adapt to the demands of the driver.Thanks to the 8-speed automatic gearbox, the car will be capable of going up to a top speed of 120 km/h (75 mph) on electric power alone and cover a range of 22 miles (35 km). Not only that but according to BMW, the average fuel consumption will be ‘approximately’ 2 l/100 km (117 mpg) with 50g/km CO2 emissions when in Comfort mode. Those are even better numbers than the i8 that is rated at 2.1 l/100 km (112 mpg).
BMW EfficientDynamics and ConnectedDrive working together
Trying to create the best possible mix, BMW looked beyond the power train when creating this car. They adapted the navigation system to the car’s transmission so that when the car reaches a hill or a traffic jam, it knows before hand and prepares the optimum gear to make sure the least amount of fuel is burned. We explained that technology some time back in a full cover story.Apart from that, there’s also an intelligent energy management system on board that controls the power train and allows you to charge up your car’s battery on the go.
You get to choose between different plug-in hybrid modes. Going into MAX eDrive you drive with zero emissions, using the car’s stored energy to zoom around town. You can also go into SAVE Battery mode where the 3er will be charging its battery. The process takes place even faster if the battery is under 50 percent.
This way, you can charge your battery outside town to make sure you go around in it with zero emissions. It’s going to be particularly good for megacities, where a combustion tax might be quite pricy.
For now, things are looking good and BMW claims that the same technology will be used throughout all of its brands in the future, including M cars and MINIs. Until we get the final numbers, we should all take all this news about our ‘electrified’ future with a grain of salt.
UPDATE: BMW released a full set of photos of their 3 Series LCI Plug-In Hybrid Prototype and its drivetrain. We attached them all in the photo gallery below.
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