Photo: BMW
While fuel saving technology has been integrated into all BMW cars in the lineup, to a point where now all cars, even their V8 powered ones are surprisingly efficient - an effort we can only applaud. However, since the US car market has been on a steady diet of hybrids ever since the Prius was introduced, back in 1997, BMW was bound to launch a hybrid sooner or later.
The all new 3-Series-based BMW Active Hybrid 3 features, as we were expecting, the firm’s latest and most modern of technologies, blending the power of its 3.0-liter straight-six with an electric motor, to reach a combined output of 335 hp and 450 Nm (332 lb-ft) - very good, considering the fact that this Beamer is a ‘green’ offering. The Active Hybrid 3 is capable of driving on electric power alone, for around 4 km (2.5 miles), at a maximum speed of 70 km/h (45 mph). Another benefit of having the electric motor is a considerable boost in performance, as its 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) time is slashed by 0.3 seconds, down to 4.8 seconds, which means it is just as fast as the current M3 - a very impressive feat for something which can return around 6.5 l/100 km (35 US mpg).
If you are interested in buying one of these, be prepared to pay $49,300 (€39,700) without too many options which will rapidly increase its price. However, given the fact that it is a ‘green’ car, with an excellent chassis, build quality that few can match, as well as M3 performance, we can only recommend it, judged solely on those factors.
If you are interested in buying one of these, be prepared to pay $49,300 (€39,700) without too many options which will rapidly increase its price. However, given the fact that it is a ‘green’ car, with an excellent chassis, build quality that few can match, as well as M3 performance, we can only recommend it, judged solely on those factors.
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