Review
BMW 330e plug-in hybrid
A 3 Series sedan with a plug has recently become available. The BMW 330e plug-in hybrid is available from 43,250 euros and combines an electric motor with a BMW TwinPower turbo engine. A 3 Series as we are used to, but also one that can also drive locally emission-free. We did a driving test with this green sporty boy.
Plug-in hybrid
The plug-in hybrid system of the BMW 330e consists of the combination of an electric motor with a combustion engine. The electric motor produces 88 hp and has a maximum torque of 250 Nm. The combustion engine is a petrol engine with four cylinders with a power of 184 hp and a maximum torque of 290 Nm. The system power of the combination of the electric motor and the combustion engine is a total of 252 hp. The max. system torque is 420 Nm. The BMW 330e accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 6.1 sec and has a top speed of 225 km/h. You can also continue purely electrically up to the nice top speed of 120 km/h. This also allows you (in theory) to drive purely electrically on the highway, although in practice this may not happen that often. It is much more efficient to keep track of the electric kilometers for the city. The BMW 330e is driven, as befits a 3 Series, at the rear wheels via an eight-speed steptronic automatic transmission.
Electric range up to 40km
In theory, the 330e has a range of up to 40km of pure electric driving once fully charged. You can fully charge an empty battery via a conventional socket in about 3 hours and 15 minutes. With a BMW i Wallbox you can charge the empty battery in two hours and 15 minutes. The battery is integrated in a compartment under the suitcase, so you maintain a flat loading floor. The hybrid system is also positioned in such a way that the 50/50 weight distribution between the front and rear axles is maintained. Something that is an essential part of the driving experience of a 3 Series and which we also found very positive about our test drive with the 330e.
Driving modes
In terms of driving modes, you can choose between sport, comfort and eco pro via the Driving Experience Control button on the center console, just like with a classic 3 Series. There is also an “eDrive” button. This allows you to choose between AUTO eDRIVE, MAX eDRIVE and SAVE BATTERY. In AUTO eDRIVE, the combustion engine and electric motor work together as efficiently as possible. In this mode you can drive purely electrically up to 80 km/h. In MAX eDRIVE mode you drive purely electrically and you can reach a top speed of 120 km/h. If you need extra power on an ad hoc basis, the combustion engine starts when you fully press the kickdown beyond the resistance. With SAVE BATTERY you can save the electric range for a later time, for example when driving in the city.
Electric driving
The 330e is also equipped with a so-called Proactive Driving Assistant. This works via the navigation system and when your route guidance is active. Based on the chosen route, the system will then analyze when it is best to use the electric motor and when it is best to use the combustion engine. If the battery allows it, the system will choose to drive mainly electrically in residential neighborhoods, uphill, etc. and when you reach the destination. According to BMW, the combined consumption is on average 2.1-1.9 l/100km and the 330e has CO² emissions of 49-44 g/km.
Conclusion
Driving the 330e plug-in hybrid feels like driving a 3 Series and that makes us happy. The characteristic handling of a 3 Series with even weight distribution between the front and rear axles can also be found in the 330e. The power of 252 hp is more than sufficient and driving in the city in pure electric mode is smooth and almost silent. The autonomy for purely electric driving may still need improvement, but this is certainly sufficient for locally emission-free driving.
Johan De Haes
Test driver
