Currently reading: New BMW 330e PHEV revealed with extra power and range
Plug-in hybrid 3 Series to offer 249bhp and a 37-mile electric-only range

The new BMW 330e plug-in hybrid will offer an electric-only range of 37 miles – nearly double that of its predecessor.

The PHEV version of the recently launched new 3 Series will go on sale in July next year, and made its public debut at the Geneva motor show. It features a 181bhp 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol engine mated to a 111bhp electric motor that is integrated into the eight-speed automatic transmission fed by a 12 kWh battery.

BMW says the set-up delivers a combined output of 249bhp and 310lb ft of torque. It will have a top speed of 143mph, with a 0-62mph time of 6.0sec and the ability to reach 68mph on electric power alone – BMW an 18mph increase on the previous model.

The new model will also feature a new ‘XtraBoost’ system that, accessed through the Sport drive mode, draws power from the car’s battery to offer an extra 40bhp. 

The plug-in hybrid has a quoted combined fuel economy of 138mph, with CO2 emissions of 39g/km, which BMW says makes it 10% more efficient than the previous model. Regenerative braking is also employed to help charge the batteries.

BMW says that the packaging gain from integrating the electric motor into the transmission means the new 330e is only 15mm longer than a conventionally powered 3 Series. The fuel tank is sited above the rear axle, and the car has a 375-litre boot.

The firm will also offer an upgraded version of its digital infotainment system, which shows public charging points and a list of nearby restaurants, cafes and tourist attractions.

The 330e will be available in SE, Sport Line and M Sport versions. Pre-heating and pre-conditioning are now standard on all models.

UK pricing is expected to start from £38,000.

Read more

BMW 3 Series launched with renewed driver focus

Picture special: all-new BMW 3 Series

Insight: How new BMW platforms can cope with multiple powertrains

Advertisement

Read our review

Car review

The BMW 3 Series' outstanding performance and handling makes it a complete and consummate all-rounder - but then the Jaguar XE and Alfa Romeo Guilia arrived

James Attwood

James Attwood, digital editor
Title: Acting magazine editor

James is Autocar's acting magazine editor. Having served in that role since June 2023, he is in charge of the day-to-day running of the world's oldest car magazine, and regularly interviews some of the biggest names in the industry to secure news and features, such as his world exclusive look into production of Volkswagen currywurst. Really.

Before first joining Autocar in 2017, James spent more than a decade in motorsport journalist, working on Autosport, autosport.com, F1 Racing and Motorsport News, covering everything from club rallying to top-level international events. He also spent 18 months running Move Electric, Haymarket's e-mobility title, where he developed knowledge of the e-bike and e-scooter markets. 

Join the debate

Comments
10
Add a comment…
Keira_Cawthorne 4 December 2018

Home Income

Google paying weekly homework from $8152 to $10396. I earn the first month of $31952 in this job for working 2 hour a day. I am a full-time university student and just this work in my part-time. Everyone now could more effectively earn more pay online simply by getting the instructions on this blog ...

 ....... >>>>>>>>>      www.MaxNet5.Com

Peter Cavellini 15 November 2018

Where’s the point....?

  37, 37 miles?, most Cars like this do a token number of miles, why?, is this just a Co2 thing?, what you want is a full on EV Car, not necessarily fast, not that important,no , what your wanting is 400, 500 mile range with a good network of charge areas that all work, and your charge time is an hour max! , now, is that too much to ask?.....

Symanski 15 November 2018

Typical journey length.

Peter Cavellini wrote:

  37, 37 miles?, most Cars like this do a token number of miles, why?

 

Apparently the typical commuter length in England & Wales is 10 miles (RAC).   I do a bit more than that, but not much.   I could use a car like this and never need to start the engine!   Yet I'd still have the reassurance that if I needed to go a longer distance the car (assuming reliability) would get me there.

GaryW 15 November 2018

Too late!

For most of this year there's been limited PHEV choice, with the 3-series being replaced, C-class being facelifted and E-class...well just not being available for a while until the new powertrain shared with the C-class is available.  And they'll all become available well into 2019.  Problem is, there's little logic in buying any of them unless you're a company car driver...and many companies (mine included) are stopping offering company cars, instead only offering a cash allowance and you sort out your own car.  At which point you wouldn't buy a PHEV.  So how many of these things will they actually sell in the UK?