The BMW 330e—the
3 Series plug-in hybrid—will come to the U.S. next year as a 2021 model
year, and it will do so with a 2.0-liter turbo-four that produces 184
hp mated to a 113-hp electric motor for a combined output of 252 hp,
just short of the 255 hp that the 330i has. Whether you like low
emissions and saving money at the pump or prefer the sound of the
2.0-liter turbo-four engine echoing through the speakers, you'll be able
to choose between the two for this new G20 generation.
We recently had a chance to drive the 330e
in Munich, and after spending many days in the 330i, here are four
reasons why you should get the hybrid and four things working in the
internal combustion model's favor.
Hybrid: Power
Although the 330i is pretty fun to drive and is quite powerful, the
330e has just as much power—if not more. The plug-in hybrid comes with
the standard XtraBoost mode, which can deliver 41 additional horses,
bringing the total combined output to 292 hp for 10 seconds. Like we
noticed in the German country roads, XtraBoost turns the 330e into a
powerful machine. The sound of the exhaust and the agility of the car
add not only more oomph but also a better driving experience at the
wheel.
Internal Combustion: Power on Demand
If you'd
rather have 255 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque on demand at all times, then
the 330i is the one to go with. In our own testing, the 2020 330i went
from 0 to 60 mph in 5.4 seconds and completed the quarter mile in 14.0
seconds at 98.1 mph. Like we've said in the past, the 3 Series is a fun
car to drive, but stiff competition from Genesis, Alfa Romeo, and Tesla have knocked the 3 Series down from the top of the list.
Internal Combustion: Weight
Given the 12-kW-hr battery that the 330e has, the plug-in hybrid is about 440 pounds heavier than the 330i. BMW
says the battery weights around 330 pounds, and other hybrid components
(like the electric motor) adds an additional 110 pounds. The extra heft
is quite noticeable at the wheel, where the 330e feels more planted and
heavier than the 330i.
Hybrid: Low Emissions
Although it's too early to know what the fuel economy will be, we
expect the new 330e to improve upon the 71 mpg-e combined of the 2018
330e. The 3 Series plug-in hybrid will also have about 30 miles of
electric range, which is a decent bump over the 17 miles that the
previous 330e had.
Internal Combustion: Space
Because the
battery is located under the rear seats, the fuel tank is now above the
rear axle, which means the 330e has less cargo room compared to the
330i. How much less? The 330i has 17.0 cubic feet, whereas the 330e has
13.2. The good news is that part of the hybrid's cargo floor can be
lowered, leaving enough space for a golf bag. But beware: The rest of
the trunk is pretty tight.
Hybrid: Smart Car
When the 330e
is in Hybrid mode with the navigation system on, the route will be
programmed depending on the traffic and geography of the terrain. The
system will avoid steep inclines and high-speed highways for a route
with downhills and sections that will recharge the battery. In some
European cities, where the "green zones" allow only emission-free cars,
the 330e's geofencing technology will automatically shut off the engine
in favor of electric mode. That's something that the 330i can't do.
Both: Looks
Unlike
the previous 330e, the new model doesn't have any blue grilles or any
kind of badge that identifies it as a hybrid. Besides the charging port
located next to the driver's door, there's no indication that this is an
electrified vehicle. BMW says this was done on purpose, as owners
didn't want their vehicles to look any different than regular internal
combustion cars.
