Auto Car New BMW 330e reviews 2016

Plugin hybrid technology to result in a 3 Series BMW model is most attractive for company car drivers yet. But if the driver is still an option?

BMW 330e is the latest entry in the rapidly expanding market for plug-in hybrids. Demand is driven not only by increasingly stringent regulations mandated by the European Union average fleet emissions but also clean vehicle incentives backed by the government, such as OLEV scheme in place here in the UK.

With the establishment of our brand i have come to expect great things from BMW when it comes to electric and hybrid models. But while the 330e does not push the technical boundaries in quite the same way as the i3 and i8 are not, it is highly dependent on the expertise gained in their development, not least in the field of cell technology, lithium ion batteries and power electronics that regulate the interaction between the electric motor and gasoline engines.

To be sold exclusively in the guise of a sedan at the price of £ 31,435 in the UK (after £ 2,500 government grant), it is joined by the likes of Mercedes-Benz C400e and Volkswagen Passat GTE in aiming to influence car buyers executives away from traditional gasoline and diesel models by tempting them with promises of a variety of zero-emission up to 25 miles and a combined economy 148.7mpg headlining.

The starting point for the new BMW 320i is the recently facelifted, with the 330e which share the 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine. Mounted longitudinally, it produces 181bhp peak along with £ 214 ft from just 1350rpm.

A brushless electric motor mounted in the front of the standard eight-speed automatic gearbox 330e provides an added 87bhp and £ 184 ft, either in combination with gasoline powerplant in hybrid mode or alone in pure electric mode.

Everything, BMW's latest plug-in hybrid provide a total system output of 249bhp and £ 398 ft - German car maker figures suggest placing the model equivalent performance with 248bhp turbocharged 3.0-liter straight-six-powered 330i, which sold for £ 33,005. And like his brother petrol engines, 330e which provide drive to the rear wheels.

The energy for the electric motor is provided by a 7.6kWh lithium ion battery is installed in the floor of the trunk. It is charged via a socket mounted on the back flap on the front wing. BMW claims the recharge time to 80% of the more than two hours through the wallbox optional charger, or it can be plugged into a regular power, through which the recharge time extends to more than three hours.

Store extra electricity can be generated in the run using the battery function. Battery life is also receiving feedback trickle during periods of trailing throttle and under braking, though never enough to add much to all-electric range claimed. At 370 liters, the boot capacity is reduced by 110 liters more than the other 3 Series sedan models thanks to the onboard battery.

Driveline technology adopted by 330e provides with quite lively performance and a remarkable improvement without major detriment to the overall dynamic nature or everyday practicality shown by the sixth-generation 3 Series models other more conventional.

There is a feeling that is flexible for delivery in electric mode, while the combustion engine and electric motor combine seamlessly to drive the new sedan with a real spirit of the open road. To really make the most of the efficiency potential, though, you need to be familiar with three different driving modes - eDrive, Max eDrive and Save Battery - and be prepared to constantly switch between them.

Alternatively, you can leave 330e to its own devices - but do not expect to get anywhere near the official economy claims. In real world driving, the reality is something in the region of 55mpg, or roughly what you would expect from a 254bhp 3.0-liter six-cylinder diesel-powered 330d saloon.

From a standstill, the new BMW programmed to operate in electric eDrive mode provided there are sufficient charge in the battery. Loading generous torque electric motor see new BMW drove away from the traffic lights in silence with abundant thrust that belies the weight of 1735kg curb.

Without the help of electricity gasoline engine there are various claims of 25 miles, although BMW admits it can only be achieved at a very gentle pace without large inclines.

Find a stretch of road to run together in a new BMW electric mode for an extended period and you see a faint pulsing effect of the electric motor, although only seen in very light throttle load.

Looking for greater performance mode Max eDrive with a touch more seriously from the throttle, where the full backup electric motor is released, and you end up hitting the limited zero-emissions a top speed of 75mph, even when the battery is quickly depleted, leading to a drop dramatically in overall power range.

If your trip is longer than an electric range shown, you can wisely conserve battery power for later use with the switch to Battery Save mode.

When the state of the battery drops below 20%, the combustion engine is automatically fires to provide a combination of petrol and electric drive. Both resources are fed directly into the gearbox, instead channeled separately, provide good cohesive feeling like a needle in the rev counter suddenly appeared in life.

In running hybrid, 330e is pretty fast, showing a sharp throttle response, thanks, in part, with abundant torque. With the electric motor helps the gasoline unit, giving a solid low-end and mid-range boost an impressive boost at kickdown. BMW claims 0-62mph in 6.1sec, just 0.3sec shy official time for the BMW 330i sedan 1545kg in automatic guise.

Cost less than the 330i, the new 330e compete at £ 31,435 after applying the £ 2,500 government grant. This will be cheaper than both Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen Passat GTE C300h when the car goes on sale.

With an official rating 44g CO2 / km, it qualifies for OLEV government grants and will allow the owners to avoid the congestion charge London, making it a very attractive proposition for those who regularly enter the capital.

If the trip your work is mostly on urban roads and no more than 25 miles each way, the new BMW could theoretically allow you to push the electric power for the working week throughout without ever being involved in a combustion engine or in need of a visit to the front page of the service station - provided that you have access to a high-voltage charger and happy to plug every time you arrive at your destination.

Being pretty fast off the line and incredibly smooth when running on the electric motor in the entire city, the new 330e is also impressive with an urgent nature and overall dynamic abilities out on the open road when using a combination of gasoline and electricity.

We will need more time behind the wheel in the streets of the UK to provide a definitive assessment of dynamic quality, although the smooth surface of the chassis of his German way back again overcome with the additional burden caused by the addition of an electric motor and a battery good enough. There are additional firmness on the way, but overall this is one of the most interesting hybrids on the market today.

BMW 330e

Location Germany; On sale now; Price £ 31,435 (after £ 2.5k grant) 4cyl engine, 1998cc, turbocharged petrol and electric motors; Power 249bhp at 5000-6500rpm; Ft of torque at 1350-2500rpm £ 310; 8-spd automatic gearbox; Kerb Weight 1735 kg; 0-62 mph in 6.1sec; Top speed 140mph; 148.7mpg economy (combined); CO2 / Bands tax 44g / km / 5%

Tweet