BMW has revealed the latest iteration of its 3 Series Sedan and Touring models, featuring an upgraded plug-in hybrid lineup designed to offer increased electric range and efficiency.
The new lineup includes the BMW 330e Sedan and BMW 330e Touring, both available with a choice of rear-wheel drive or BMW xDrive. These models are equipped with a four-cylinder petrol engine and an electric motor integrated into the eight-speed Steptronic transmission, delivering a combined system output of 215 kW/292 hp.
One of the key upgrades is the adoption of a new high-voltage battery with 19.5 kWh of usable energy, a significant increase from previous models. This fifth-generation BMW eDrive technology battery offers higher energy density, resulting in improved system efficiency and a considerably longer electric range for drivers.
According to BMW, the new battery technology allows for an electric range of 85 – 101 kilometres (53 – 63 miles) for the BMW 330e Sedan, 81 – 96 kilometres (50 – 59 miles) for the BMW 330e xDrive Sedan, 87 – 98 kilometres (54 – 61 miles) for the BMW 330e Touring, and 84 – 91 kilometres (52 – 57 miles) for the BMW 330e xDrive Touring. This enables drivers to complete urban journeys and daily commutes with zero local emissions, as well as longer trips.
To support extensive use of all-electric drive power, BMW has introduced more advanced charging technology. The new charging unit supports three-phase AC charging at up to 11 kW, allowing the high-voltage battery to be fully recharged from empty in 2 hours 15 minutes. Additionally, the plug-in hybrid models are compatible with the latest BMW Charging offering, including the Connected Home Charging option for solar-optimized and load-optimized charging.
The new BMW 3 Series Sedan and Touring models are set to be launched worldwide, with production phased in starting in July 2024. Both models will be manufactured at BMW Group Plant Munich, with the 3 Series Sedan also produced at BMW Group Plant San Luis Potosí in Mexico and the Tiexi plant in Shenyang, China, operated by the joint venture BMW Brilliance Automotive (BBA).
