BMW has recently announced its new 330e plug-in hybrid saloon for 2019. The new car not only offers greater efficiency and an increased range under electric-only power to 37 miles but is also 30 percent faster than the current model. An extra 41hp is delivered with the standard XtraBoost technology and will take you from 0 to 62 mph in just 6 seconds. Top speed is an impressive 143mph. And when running on just electric power, the car can reach up to 68mph. All this advancement has also seen the car’s CO2 emissions reduced by more than 10 per cent to 39g/km and an average combined fuel consumption of an enviable 138mpg.
The 330e’s drivetrain is made up of a 184hp 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine coupled with BMW TwinPower Turbo Technology linked to an electric motor generating a continuous output of 68hp and a peak output of 113hp, which combined gives that impressive 252hp.
The new addition XtraBoost, is an on-demand performance system designed to increase the car’s power output at the touch of a button, so when you select the SPORT driving mode, the XtraBoost system is activated drawing on the power stored in the high voltage battery. This gives the driver razor sharp response from the accelerator pedal, taking you through the eight-speed Steptronic transmission quickly and smoothly.
Don’t think for one minute though that the sportiness you expect of a BMW is lost, as this 330e delivers a throaty engine noise to keep your pulse racing as you put the car through its paces.
Efficiency is also achieved by the car’s clever regenerative braking system which stored energy captured when braking, with the electric motor acting as a generator, helping to charge up the car’s battery.
The battery itself is a 12.0kWh lithium-ion high-voltage battery which is positioned underneath the rear seats. The fuel tank is placed above the rear axle to ensure you get maximum luggage capacity with a total storage volume of 375 litres which can be increased by folding down the rear-seat backrests.
There is a comprehensive list of optional equipment you can load onto your new BMW 330e. As well as the basic model, BMW will be offering an SE version as well as a Sport Line and M Sport. And if you want even sharper road holding, then you can opt for the Adaptive M suspension system and Variable Sports Steering and M sports braking system.
And if this isn’t enough you can look further down the list of goodies available. However, the BMW 330e comes with such an impressive list of extras as standard you really don’t need that list. For example, Park Assistance and the lane guidance system is standard equipment, as is preheating and pre-conditioning of the interior for those extreme weather conditions we get here in the UK.
The new BMW 330e will be on sale from July 2019. The price of the new saloon is still to be confirmed. For more information please visit www.bmw.co.uk
Author Bio:
Simon Burrell is Editor of Our Man Behind The Wheel and Editor-in-Chief of Our Man On The Ground Travel and Lifestyle Magazine.
Photographs courtesy of BWM UK
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