BMW is expanding its plug-in hybrid drive portfolio with the X3 xDrive 30e and X5 xDrive45e.
The plug-in hybrid system in the BMW X3 xDrive30e consists of a 4-cylinder petrol engine with BMW TwinPower Turbo Technology and an electric motor. Both drive units put their power on the road via an eight-speed steptronic transmission and the intelligent all-wheel drive system. Their joint system output of 185 kW can be increased by up to 30 kW by temporary use of the electric motor’s peak output. The BMW X3 xDrive30e takes just 6.5 seconds to accelerate from zero to 100 km/h.
The X3 is fitted with a lithium-ion battery which is positioned under the rear seat in order to save space. With a luggage volume of 450 litres, the plug-in X3 has the same amount of luggage space as any other model in the line-up.
The X5 xDrive45e is fitted with an in-line six-cylinder petrol engine adapted on a model-specific basis combined with an electric motor, with a system output that is now increased to 290 kW.
The electric range is claimed to be around 80km. In addition, BMW claims a combined consumption figure of just 2.1 litres/100km.
Production on the X3 will start in late 2019, but no release date has been set for South Africa.
