BMW is on a bit of a mission. They were one of the first companies to actively back electrification of their vehicles with the creation of sub brand BMW i. The i3 and i8 were then released to a world not necessarily ready for the impact and stir they would cause.
Since then, BMW’s main brand has been busy evolving to adopt electrified power trains into its regular non i-branded mix. First was the X5 followed by the 225xe and 330e. Next was the 730e and next year the 530e and an expected 1-series, likely 130e, will be launched. Only the X1 and X3 have been left out, for now.
Middle of the field is the 330e, based on the everpopular 3-Series. It’s a recipe for success matching plugged-in efficiency with proven small-exec class. What’s more, it’s a relative bargain being more affordable than its competition while offering best in class performance and efficiency. It is for these reasons we chose the 330e as our class and overall award winner for the 2016 AutoVolt Electric & Hybrid Awards.
POWERTRAIN.
Power is delivered via an excitable 2.0-litre four cylinder petrol turbo engine that sits in the front and together with a powerful electric motor serves up 249bhp and 420Nm torque. Despite the obvious power CO2 is as low as 44g/km on the smallest wheel option and a typically enthusiastic fuel consumption average of 148.7mpg. Of course, if driving within the EV range this can improve, or if more reliant on petrol it will decrease. During our time with the car, we didn’t see much lower than 45mpg after a long motorway run after the battery had run out, while 99.9mpg was chirpily indicated on the dash when in EV-mode. The official EV range is 25-miles, but in reality you’re more likely to get about 16 from the somewhat undersized li-ion cells.
DRIVING.
This story is from the November-December 2016 edition of AutoVolt Magazine.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the November-December 2016 edition of AutoVolt Magazine.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
BMW Prices Up All-Electric i4 Saloon And iX SUV
DUE for UK launch in November 2021, BMW has released pricing details for the new all electric i4.
Volvo Trucks announces new family of heavy electric HGVs
VOLVO Trucks will boost its electric truck range in 2022, with the arrival of three more zero emission HGV models. Joining the FE and FL Electric trucks which are aimed at urban routes and use, the new FH, FM and FMX Electrics will cater for the heavier road transport sector.
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF GTE
Can a hybrid hot hatch really deliver the best of both worlds? Alex Grant finds out.
REACH FOR THE SKIES
Electric flying racing cars have literally taken off, thanks to pioneering efforts from the Airspeeder team.
POLESTAR 2
With motorsport in its DNA, has Polestar cracked the electric driver’s car?
HYUNDAI IONIQ 5
The retro-inspired first instalment of Hyundai’s new-generation EV line-up has substance worthy of its head-turning styling.
Kia EV6
Hot on the heels of the Hyundai IONIQ 5, sister car the EV6 heralds a fresh new design direction for Kia, as well as the first of eleven electric cars (including seven dedicated) to launch globally by 2026.
BEAUTY... and the BEAST
With five rounds, nine teams and no fossil fuels; the first season of Extreme E is a no-holds barred proving ground for next-generation electric technology, and the result of some competing sustainability requirements.
Audi prices Q4 e-tron
THE new Audi Q4 e-tron all electric SUV is now on sale on the UK, with prices starting at £40,750 OTR for the standard model and £42,250 OTR for the more swoopy, coupélike Sportback model.
2021 JAGUAR E-TYPE ELECTROGENIC
The Jaguar E-Type, dubbed “the most beautiful car ever made” by Enzo Ferrari needs little introduction to classic car fans the world over. Its design is so iconic that the E-Type is frequently credited as blurring the lines between definitions of art, sculpture and vehicular transportation.
