2016 BMW eDrive 330e: First Look
Competes with: Mercedes-Benz C350e, Tesla Model S, Cadillac ELR
Looks like: Like a 3 Series sedan but with a plug-in port behind the driver-side front wheel
Drivetrain: 184-horsepower, turbocharged four-cylinder gas engine and an 88-hp electric motor, mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission
Hits dealerships: Spring 2016
More 2015 Los Angeles Auto Show News
Joining BMW’s growing lineup of electrified cars, which already includes the i3 all-electric hatchback and i8 plug-in hybrid sports car, is the 2016 eDrive 330e. The plug-in hybrid version of the 3 Series sedan is slated to make its first U.S. appearance at the 2015 Los Angeles Auto Show. It promises all the familiar look and luxury of the regular 3 Series but with an ultra-efficient gas-electric hybrid powertrain, sophisticated driving dynamics and an all-electric, zero-emissions range the automaker says is practical for city drivers and commuters.
Exterior
If you like the exterior of the regular 3 Series sedan, it’s unlikely you’ll find anything to dislike about the 330e. It reprises the signature twin-kidney grille and pointed wraparound headlights, along with the contoured character lines spanning its hood and profile. The main identifiable difference between the regular and plug-in versions is the covered charging port just behind the driver-side front wheel.
Interior
Much of the interior also carries over, and since the 330e’s lithium-ion battery pack is positioned underneath the trunk, cargo room isn’t impacted. Trunk space totals about 13 cubic feet, according to BMW, the same as the 2016 BMW 328.
The 330e comes standard with auxiliary heating and cooling, which can be activated by a button on the car key or preprogrammed either via the iDrive operating system or the BMW ConnectedDrive smartphone app.
Under the Hood
The rear-wheel-drive 330e is powered by the tandem contributions of a gas engine and electric motor that runs on a 7.6-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack; the system is good for a combined 252 horsepower and 310 pounds-feet of torque. BMW estimates it’s good for a 6.1-second zero-to-62 mph sprint on its way to a 140-mph top speed. The gas engine is a turbocharged four-cylinder that makes 184 hp and 214 pounds-feet of torque, while the electric motor puts out 88 hp and 184 pounds-feet of torque. The system is mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission.
BMW says the 330e will take drivers 25 miles on electric-only power, at which time the gas engine will take over to extend range to a total of 373 miles on a full tank.
The powertrain features a permanent electric boost function, which boosts power in passing situations. The electric motor supplements power from the combustion engine with 74 pounds-feet of torque and can deliver a brief extra burst of 184 pounds-feet of torque.
In addition to a trio of selectable driving modes — Sport, Comfort and Eco Pro — the driver can also choose from another three settings that govern battery use. Auto eDrive balances the use of the gas engine and electric motor for “optimum effect in all driving situations,” allowing a top speed of 50 mph. Max eDrive uses electric power only and allows a top speed of 75 mph, and the gas engine can take over any time greater acceleration is needed. Save Battery mode ensures the battery’s energy stores are maintained, or regenerated, if the charge level drops below 50 percent.
The battery, the automaker says, can be recharged in 2 hours and 15 minutes using a BMW i Wallbox with a charging power of 3.7 kilowatts, while a full charge takes an extra hour on a domestic power socket.
