BMW will unveil two plug-in hybrid models at the upcoming Frankfurt motor show, the 330e and the 225xe Active Tourer. Based on the current generation 3-series sedan, the 330e hybrid gets a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission, and an electric motor that makes 88bhp and 25.4kgm of torque, in addition to the 181bhp and 29.5kgm from the petrol motor. The electric motor also features an energy recuperation system that works during deceleration.
The two motors together pull the 330e from standstill to 100kph in 6.1 seconds, before hitting a top speed of 225 kph. A fully charged battery allows the sedan to cover 40km on the 7.6 kWh electric motor alone. The 330e sports a 370-litre boot as against 480 litres on the regular 3-series due to the Li-ion battery placed beneath the boot.
The second in the line-up is the 225xe that features a hybrid all-wheel-drive system, where a 134bhp 1.5-litre three-cylinder TwinPower turbo engine powers the front wheels. A 87bhp electric motor drives the rear. The total system generates a peak torque of 39.2kgm, out of which the IC engine produces 20.3kgm. The petrol motor gets a 6-speed auto for the combustion engine. The electric motor comes mated to a 2-speed unit. With a 7.7 kWh Li-ion battery placed beneath the rear bench, the Active Tourer PHEV has a near 50-50 weight distribution.
The BMW 225xe completes the 0-100 kph dash in a claimed 6.7 seconds, and powers away to a top speed of 202 kph.
Rivan RS 
Viraaj Bhatnagar
Uday Singh
Suraj Viswanathan
