Photo: Automedia
It seems like BMW has big plans for the eDrive drivetrain used in the i3 and i8. After seeing the X5 eDrive Concept car out for tests last year, our photographers caught up with yet another model that seems to be using plug-in hybrid technology. This time, it’s a 3 Series.
Despite BMWs hardest efforts to conceal the true nature of this prototype with a couple of black stripes, they only managed to attract more attention. The extra fuel cap located on the front left fender just gave us more to think about and also revealed where the socket for the charging cable is located.
The hybrid plug-in 3 Series might come out with the model’s facelift that is due somewhere close to 2015 so there’s still plenty of time to test it properly.
My guess is that the new model will be using the same drivetrain as the X5, where a 2-liter 180 HP turbocharged 4-cylinder engine works in tandem with an electric motor that’s developing 93 HP.
In this configuration, the X5 (that weights significantly more than the 3 Series) can go up to 75 mph (120 km/h) on electric power alone and has an autonomy of 20 miles in EV mode alone. The 3er should do even better.
However, we might be surprised by the Germans and see a 1.5-liter 3-cylinder engine at work under the bonnet instead of the classic 4-pot unit. The B38-engine family is making its debut on the MINI these days and it might receive more attention in the future.
The hybrid plug-in 3 Series might come out with the model’s facelift that is due somewhere close to 2015 so there’s still plenty of time to test it properly.
My guess is that the new model will be using the same drivetrain as the X5, where a 2-liter 180 HP turbocharged 4-cylinder engine works in tandem with an electric motor that’s developing 93 HP.
In this configuration, the X5 (that weights significantly more than the 3 Series) can go up to 75 mph (120 km/h) on electric power alone and has an autonomy of 20 miles in EV mode alone. The 3er should do even better.
However, we might be surprised by the Germans and see a 1.5-liter 3-cylinder engine at work under the bonnet instead of the classic 4-pot unit. The B38-engine family is making its debut on the MINI these days and it might receive more attention in the future.
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