The BMW 3 series is already touted to be the direct rival for Tesla’s Model 3 cars. Even though the Tesla car is a good three years away from launch, similarities are many.
After teasing buyers with meager information, the company has revealed more about the upcoming 2016 BMW 330e plug-in hybrid model. It is set for a grand launch in the United States and will be the second hybrid model to join the existing lineup.
The car is powered by a 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder engine which offers a cool 184 horsepower and has 214 lb feet of torque. The power is rendered by the gasoline motor, while the car also features an electric motor capable of rendering 88 horsepower and 184 lb feet of torque. It uses a 7.6 kWh lithium ion battery.
When combined, the gasoline and the electric engine together provide a total output of 252 horsepower and 310 lb feet of torque. The manufacturer offers an eight speed automatic transmission system, which is the only type offered, at the moment. There is no word on whether BMW may launch a manual gearbox option for the buyers to choose from.
According to the company’s official statement, the 2016 BMW 330e plug-in hybrid model can accelerate from 0 to 62 miles per hour in 6.1 seconds. It has a top speed of 140 miles per hour. While these numbers are not particularly impressive, the fact that the car runs on the power of two different engines should be taken into account.
When it uses the electric motor as its only source of power, the 330e can travel a distance of 25 miles. It is not the best around, but it allows BMW to keep the pricing of the car at an affordable range and make plug-in hybrids reach more people. There are three different driving modes integrated into the vehicle where the user can choose to pick the gasoline engine, the electric motor or combine the power of these two engines to get the best results.
There are three drive settings available in the car – the Comfort, Eco Pro and the Sport. The Sport obviously allows you to drive the car at its fastest speed while Eco Pro provides better power to climate control, seat heating features for a comfortable ride. The dashboard and the interiors are conveniently designed with all the functionalities one would expect. It is a complete package from BMW that we look forward to drive soon.
