2016 BMW 330e iPerformance Starts at $44,695

CARS.COM — BMW today announced pricing on the 2016 BMW 330e iPerformance sedan, appearing to set its sights dead center of the Mercedes-Benz’s three-pointed star. The all-new 330e starts at $44,695, including a destination fee, which will put it at $180 less than Mercedes’ competing plug-in hybrid luxury sedan, the 2016 C350e, when it arrives in showrooms this summer.

Related: 2016 BMW eDrive 330e: First Look

The 330e is priced well below other luxury plug-ins, including the electric-only range champ the Tesla Model S, which starts at $71,070 for the 2015 model year, and the 2016 Cadillac ELR, which starts at $65,995. The gas-powered 3 Series starts at $39,345, which is $5,350 less than the hybrid. All prices include a destination charge.

Car shoppers already familiar with the current-generation 3 Series should find few surprises inside or out in terms of style and appointments. The major differences, of course, lie in this fuel-sipping variant’s plug-in hybrid powertrain.

The 330e uses a turbocharged four-cylinder gas engine that makes 180 horsepower and 215 pounds-feet of torque. That’s combined with an electric motor, powered by a 7.6-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack, good for 87 additional hp and 184 pounds-feet more of torque. The system works together to produce 248 hp and 310 pounds-feet of torque channeled through an eight-speed automatic transmission to the rear wheels, which translates to a zero-to-60-mph time of 5.9 seconds on its way to a top speed of 140 mph, according to BMW.

Thanks to the permanently enabled electric boost function, which supplements the gas engine, the driver can summon a torque surge of as much as 184 pounds-feet. The 330e boasts a top electric-only speed of 75 mph, which it can sustain for an estimated 14 miles. BMW said the hybrid can go 25 miles on electric-only power before switching to gas to extend its range to 373 miles.

BMW said the 330e is fully charged from empty in less than three hours on a 240-volt charger, and in six to seven hours on a 120-volt domestic socket. Fuel-economy estimates have not yet been announced.

Drivers can select from three eDrive-specific programs: Auto eDrive, the standard driving setting that optimizes gas and electric power for all conditions, allowing an electric-only top speed of 50 mph; Max eDrive, which uses only electric power; and Save Battery, which charges the battery via the gas engine when the battery is at less than 50 percent and “freezes” the charge level when it’s more than 50 percent. Moreover, the Driving Dynamics Control switch on the center console allows the driver to select from Eco Pro, Comfort, Sport and the optional Sport Plus modes.