BMW's latest plug-in hybrid is the all-new X3 xDrive30e
The company known for gas guzzlers is slowly going electric.
BMW has unveiled its latest plug-in hybrid electric (PHEV) vehicles at the Geneva Motor Show, including the first ever PHEV version of its small crossover, the X3 xDrive30e. That model will go about 31 miles on electrons alone, enough to go around town without burning any gas. If you want to do the latter, and go quickly while doing it, the four-cylinder gas engine produces 244 horsepower, with another 40 on top if when you marry the gas and electric motors.
BMW also showed a number of other PHEVs live at its stand for the first time, including revised editions of the BMW X5 xDrive45e, 330e, 225xe and 7 Series. As we noted before, the latter now packs a bigger 12 kWh battery that extends the range out to 60 km (37 miles). Again, if you do a lot of city driving, that's enough range to not burn any gas at all. Then, when you hit the freeway, you've got up to 523 horsepower from the gas-powered V8, propelling you to 62 mph in just 4.9 seconds.
Other updates include a revised 383bhp six-cylinder hybrid powertrain for the 2020 X5 xDrive45e and better range and lower emissions for the 330e. All models now sport a battery charge indicator on their dash when charging, something that probably should've been there before.
BMW's hybrid range has become pretty impressive, but it seems a bit behind rivals like Audi and Mercedes in creating pure electric vehicles, other than its existing i-range. Still, lots of folks favor PHEVs as more practical, and the company promised that it will introduce more pure electric vehicles soon.
Follow all the latest news from Geneva Motor Show 2019 here!
