Photo: BMW
BMW finally officially confirmed what we've been saying for quite some time now at the New York Auto Show this week. The Germans plan to introduce plug-in hybrid versions of all their models.
The nuance is important here because, in an interview with AutoblogGreen, BMW North America CEO, Ludwig Willisch said the company he represents will launch such an alternative for 'every new model'. That's important because it doesn't refer to the brand's core cars alone as it was speculated.
That means that not only the 3 Series will get an electric-petrol drive train that was already confirmed, but other, newer models as well such as the 2 Series, front-wheel drive cars and so on.
"What we will have are plug-in hybrids. With the introduction of every new model there will be a plug-in hybrid version of that, too," said the CEO, to make things crystal clear.
It's of little surprise as well. We've seen the 3 Series model as well as a 2 Series Active Tourer and even a MINI Countryman out testing hybrid power trains for quite some time now, and this is only a confirmation of what we already suspected.
Since the EU has tightened even more its legislation on CO2 emissions, such a move only makes sense if a manufacturer wants to keep making and selling cars. Thanks to electric motors, contemporary automobiles can now even run emissions-free on shorter trips, bringing about a multitude of advantages.
The only question that remains for a BMW enthusiast is when will an M model get a hybrid powertrain as well? Let's hope 2016 (the year when BMW celebrates its 100th anniversary) will bring this much-awaited combo.
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