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Refreshed Plug-In-Hybrid BMW 3 Series To Get Up To 101Km Of Electric Range
The current generation of the BMW 3 Series went under the knife in mid-2022 and is now making another series of adjustments to both the 3 Series sedan and 3 Series Touring. There is no question of a facelift this time. The adjustments concern a new battery in the plug-in hybrid 3-series, which provides a greater electric range.
The current G20 generation of the BMW 3-series sedan and Touring returned from the cutting table around this time two years ago. BMW believes the time is ripe to give the 3-series another freshening up, although this time the adjustments are smaller in nature.
The biggest news concerns BMW’s plug-in hybrid 330e and 330e xDrive. They exchange their 12-kWh battery for a significantly larger one with a capacity of 19.5 kWh. This has positive consequences for the electric range. The 330th eedan now has an electric range of 101 kilometers. Previously, the plug-in hybrid 3 Series could travel up to about 60 kilometers on electric power alone. The four-wheel-drive 330e xDrive Sedan now has an electric range of 96 kilometers. The BMW 3-series Touring is also available again as the 330e and as the 330e xDrive. They successively travel 98 and 91 kilometers on electric power alone without recharging. A 3-phase, 11-kW on-board charger is standard. The new battery does not take up more space than the previous one, which means that the energy density is much higher. The powertrain again consists of a 184-hp 2.0-liter four-cylinder petrol engine that works together with a 109-hp electric motor. The system’s power has remained unchanged at 292 hp. Other engines remain available, from the four- and six-cylinder gasoline power sources to the four- and six-burner diesels. There are also the sporty M Performance models and the intense M versions.
Furthermore, the 3 Series exchanges its Operating System 8.0 for Operating System 8.5. This means that there are slightly fewer buttons in the 3 series, which can be controlled more and more via touch-sensitive elements and spoken commands. Various applications running on the system, including navigation, have been improved, according to the Germans. In addition, BMW is installing new steering wheels and a refreshed instrument cluster in its direct competitor for the Audi A4 and Mercedes-Benz C-Class. There are also new paint colors and new alloy wheels, as well as new finishing options for the interior. Finally, the manufacturer claims that overall comfort has been improved, partly due to a stiffer connection between the rear dampers and the body.
