BMW 3 series plug-in hybrid sedan prototype in tests
A prototype of the upcoming BMW 3 Series Plug-in Hybrid has been recently seen undergoing winter testing ahead of its unveiling which will take place later this year.
Sharing a lot of its exterior styling with the current conventionally-powered 3 Series, the Plug-in Hybrid BMW 3 Series will be easily indentifiable by the charging port flap hidden under plastic cladding – located on the car’s front left quarter panel.
It is expected that the 3 Series Plug-in Hybrid will share at least part of its drivetrain technology with the forthcoming X5 Plug-In Hybrid production model, which in turn will be based on the X5 eDrive concept that debuted at September’s Frankfurt motor show.
When it comes to the X5 eDrive mixes a turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine with a 70kW electric motor and lithium-ion batteries which in turn claim average fuel consumption of 3.8 litres per 100km and CO2 emissions of less than 90 grams per kilometre. The concept is said to promise pure-electric range of 30km along side a 120km/h top speed.
There are other reports which suggest that the plug-in 3 Series could feature a turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine based on the engine also found in the all-new Mini Cooper, potentially leading to even greater fuel savings.
It is thought that the plug-in versions of the 3 Series and X5 are expected to be joined by similar high-efficiency variants of the 1 and 5 Series models as well as the X3 SUV over the coming years.
The company has also promised that the 3 Series Plug-In promises to be more efficient – while more expensive – than the current ActiveHybrid3 $99,700. The six-cylinder eptrol engine/electric motor-powered Active Hybrid 3 claims 5.9L/100km and 139g/km – these numbers are bettered by the non-hybrid $50,900 316i, $56,400 318d as well as the $60,900 320d.
