BMW has increased the e-range of its 2019 330e PHEV by 30% to 37 miles

At the 2018 Paris Motor Show, BMW announced it was revamping its 3 series sports sedan. Included in the redesign is its 330e, which now uses a 7.6kWh Lithium-Ion battery to provide 37 pure electric miles; a third more than its predecessor model. Additionally, Eco-minded drivers looking for a sports sedan with a reduced carbon footprint will be interested to know the 330e’s fuel consumption and CO2 emissions have been reduced by more than 10%. This low output level puts the car in a class of its own. A Level 2 charger will refill the battery in just over 2.5 hours.   

By John Coulter, Current EV CMO   

The vehicle’s 8-speed Steptronic transmission works with a combustion engine and an electric motor to generate a system output of 185 kW, which is increased to 215 kW when the newly developed XtraBoost mode is engaged. The e-car can achieve 62mph in 6.0 seconds now.   

The 330 e comes with any of the 3 trim levels available for the 3 series, (SE, Sport Line and M Sport) with a few differences. Using the BMW smartphone app, 330e models can pre-set the car’s temperature for a specific departure time. Standard on the 330e is Parking Assistant, which can steer your car into a suitable parking spot. An optional feature for the 330e is the BMW Drive Recorder, which uses the car’s cameras to record video if there’s an accident and you need footage to resolve an insurance dispute.   

Driving Modes include Sport, Hybrid, Electric and Xtra Boost. In addition, a Battery Control mode permits drivers to keep the battery charged at a level they choose, so it can be used at a later point in the journey. The car’s Hybrid mode allows all-electric driving at up to 68 mph. Electric mode takes you all the way up to 87 mph without the gas engine starting. The 2019 330e’s Hybrid mode (the Default mode) leaves all the drive mode decisions to the car’s in-dash navigation system, which looks at the route ahead and makes mode predeterminations.   

In the future, BMW e cars will use an “eZone Drive” mode which will be useful in cities with “green zones” which allow only emission-free driving. The eZone Drive will use geofencing technology that can automatically recognize when the vehicle is entering a no emission zone and switch its drive mode to pure electric.   

While most of the world will receive the new PHEV this year, the US market will have to wait until 2020.   

Says cnet.com/roadshow reviewer Jake Holmes: “Though the BMW 330e will launch in Europe in July, its journey across the Atlantic will be delayed by several months, as BMW representatives say that certifying the powertrain for the US will take some time. Our car will receive a version of the 2.0-liter engine dubbed B46 while Europe gets the B48: It's essentially the same mill, with the same power outputs, but with different emissions tuning. Still, it'll be worth the wait for the way the 330e seamlessly integrates hybridization into the classic 3 Series package. A BMW US spokesman says the car will even be available with all-wheel drive, making it more appealing to BMW's many customers in the Snowbelt. And for those in California, BMW expects the 330e will be approved for one of the state's coveted carpool-access stickers. If you're ready to switch to electrified driving but not ready to give up on the Ultimate Driving Machine, the 330e may be just what you're looking for.”