Launched earlier this year, the new BMW X5 xDrive40e Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) was the first such production car from the BMW core brand. Within the next 12 months BMW will offer an additional four PHEVs to broaden the opportunity to drive ultra low emission vehicles with all electric drive capability. The four new PHEV models indebted to the BMW i brand for technology come in the shape of the BMW 225xe Active Tourer, BMW 330e Saloon, and the BMW 740e and 740Le xDrive from the marque’s flagship model.
This means BMW will soon offer innovative PHEV technology in everything from compact models through to luxury-class cars. Combining the versatility and luxury of the X5, along with the superb traction provided by the BMW xDrive intelligent all-wheel-drive system, with BMW EfficientDynamics eDrive technology allows for outstanding efficiency too. With a total system output of 313hp generated by a four-cylinder petrol engine with BMW TwinPower Turbo technology and a synchronous electric motor, the BMW X5 xDrive40e achieves a combined fuel consumption 85.6mpg and CO2 emissions of 78g/km.
With a standard equipment list that includes 18-inch alloy wheels, two-zone air conditioning, front and rear PDC, Dakota leather upholstery, Xenon headlights, heated front seats, BMW Professional Navigation, 40:20:40 split folding seats, Real Time Traffic information, pre-conditioning, BMW Emergency Call and eDrive services. The BMW X5 XDrive40e went on sale this month with prices starting from £51,845 OTR for the X5 XDrive40e and £56,545 OTR for the X5 xDrive40e M Sport. Joining this BMW X5 derivative from March 2016 will be the new 225xe Active Tourer PHEV. Offered in two trim levels, the Sport model will cost £35,005 OTR and the 225xe Luxury will be sold for £35,755 OTR. However, a government grant is currently available which will reduce the price for customers by £5,000 respectively.
The BMW 225xe – a BMW 2 Series Active Tourer variant with eDrive offers a combination of sporting ability, economy and everyday practicality unique in its segment. The PHEV model fuses BMW eDrive technology with a front mounted transverse three-cylinder petrol engine and a front-wheel-drive configuration for the first time; the electric motor powering the rear wheels makes for an electrified all-wheel-drive system that is unique in this segment.
Producing a total output of 224hp (a combination of the three-cylinder combustion engine with BMW TwinPower Turbo technology, 136hp and an electric motor developing 88hp) and a peak torque of 385Nm. Its combined fuel consumption of 141.2mpg makes the 225xe PHEV one of the best in its class. The BMW 3 Series Saloon is BMW’s biggest selling vehicle and has always been at the forefront of the EfficientDynamics programme of improving fuel consumption and lower emissions. So it is only right that the new PHEV BMW 330e Saloon is offered.
The 330e Saloon will offer a startling combined fuel consumption of 148.7mpg and CO2 emissions from 44g/km when it joins the range in 2016. It can be specified in SE, Sport, Luxury or M Sport and all wheel sizes to still stay under the vital 49g/km CO2 threshold. The car’s state-of-the-art plug-in hybrid technology marries a 184hp 2.0-litre petrol engine with an 80kW electric motor. The combined output of 252hp and maximum torque of 420Nm gives the BMW 330e a zero to 62mph acceleration time of just 6.1 seconds and a top speed of 140mph. Yet the model is also capable of travelling up to approximately 25 miles in all-electric mode, and therefore emits zero local emissions when used in this manner.
The BMW 330e Saloon is eligible for congestion charge exemption and is expected to also be eligible for the Government’s Plug in Car Grant (PiCG) representing a significant saving on the purchase price. It is on sale now priced from £33,935 OTR with the first customers getting their cars in April 2016.
The final PHEVs to join the fold within the next year will be for the luxury saloon segment: the BMW 740e and the BMW 740Le xDrive. The intelligently controlled interaction between a 2.0-litre petrol engine with BMW TwinPower Turbo technology and an electric drive unit integrated into the eight-speed Steptronic transmission endows the BMW 740e with dynamic acceleration yet very low consumption and emissions figures in everyday driving. While producing a total system output of 326hp, both cars return a combined fuel consumption of 134.5mpg and CO2 emissions of just 49g/km.
The BMW 740e and the BMW 740Le xDrive will go on sale Summer 2016. Prices to be announced at a later date.
