‘The Big Three’
BMW sparks plug-in interest with its 330e
Getting further into the hybrid power game, BMW introduced a plug-in version of its biggest seller, the Three Series.
This is to go along with their all electric, almost erotic i8 and cute-as-a-button i3. While those cars are truly distinctive, what is quite noticeable about the 330i plug-in is that it isn’t very noticeable.
Well, no more noticeable than any BMW Three Series. But perhaps it is worth noticing this latest generation of the car, because it continues to be both the brand’s leading seller as well as the benchmark for its segment in the marketplace.
The 330e is simply another model of the line, differentiated primarily by having a different powertrain than its siblings. Other than that, the exterior is little different and that holds true in the cockpit as well. Okay there are some different presentations on the instrument panels, but that’s about it.
The looks of this generation of the Three Series maintains the classic appeal of this sport sedan. The hood is long, with a set-back cabin. Then add in the small amount of overhang behind the rear wheels, and there’s no doubts as to its heritage.
But it is a modern interpretation of that heritage. The front face is quite aggressive, staring with the redesigned headlights, which now can use optional full-LED lamps. A strong chin pushes out, thanks to the newest pedestrian-safety design requirements. Luckily those requirements are an advantage for designers who want to make as strong a statement with their car’s face as possible. The rest of the car seems to fit with the front of the car’s “statement.”
But it’s not just looks. The BMW Three Series chassis has been improved in this generation, and the suspension gets new front struts, new rear damper technology. There is a redesigned electric power steering system focused on improving overall vehicle dynamics.
The plug-in hybrid has a combined output of roughly 250 hp. and 310 lb.-ft. of peak torque. BMW says this powertrain gives the BMW 330e a 0–60 mph acceleration time of approximately 6.1 and a top speed of 140 mph.
What you notice first when driving it is the quality of the ride and atmosphere. Because it is so quiet -- and is also an entrylevel luxury car with the proper playthings and fittings -- you could easily think you were in a much more expensive vehicle.
It you don’t try too hard, you can also ignore the fact that the car’s a hybrid.
But you also can drive it for many more miles than you think exclusively on electric power. I rarely get the chance to do that, because the cars I evaluate are brought to me from Detroit. That means when I get the plug-in hybrids, which is what the BMW 330e, the batteries are never full.
But I must thank BMW’s powertrain engineers and the guys who drive the cars down here. The drivers explained that if you place the transmission in the sport mode, which they did driving to my house, it can fully recharge using the engine.
So, I had the opportunity of driving the car all around the wilds of suburbia without burning any gasoline. I like that as the generations of plug-in cars evolve, the one thing that improves is the distance the car can go in all-electric mode. For this BMW, that is about 22 miles. I did close to that in suburban, traffic. I wasn’t driving any differently than I would have in any comparable sedan.
Also, you can drive this plugin hybrid BMW and not feel like you are making a “green” statement. Perhaps you are, but you are probably making more of a statement that you drive a BMW.
In hybrid mode, the 330e drives beautifully. It isn’t perhaps as quick and nimble as other Three Series models, thanks to those batteries. But the extra torque from the electric power overcomes any weight penalties. In fact, this powertrain’s combination of electric and gasoline power – along with little bit of extra weight – make its driving feel smoother.
It has a more deliberate feel as it starts out. In cornering and under hard braking you get the feeling that the car is going to firmly and calmly do what you tell it to do. My thinking is that the batteries’ weight, being low in the car, helps the center of gravity generates a sense of physical gravitas.
Having said that, we are talking about reasonably small differences as primarily this is still a BMW and it has the mostly the same components as any Three Series.
If you hammer it, throw it into a corner or defy the brakes to stop the car, you will be disappointed. Driving that way seems to exhilarate this BMW, even as it responds. And it’s quite a bit more of a lady while doing it than some of its more aggressive siblings.
This is an easy car to live with. If you can use 220-volt power to recharge it, and drive about the same number of miles a day, there really isn’t any emotional cost to the car. In addition, there’s not very much energy cost as well.
That’s a good thing, particularly when tied to an engine which can take you on any spontaneous road trip you might take – even across the country. To me this is an essential requirement of any car costing forty grand.
If it can’t go anywhere, anytime, how is it going to keep up with the Joneses?