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What do you get if you cross the ‘ultimate driving machine’s’ 3-series and an electrical power outlet? Well BMW New Zealand thought we should find out and gave us the keys to their new 330e PHEV sedan.

BMW 330e PHEV review NZ

One of the benefits of having my formative years in the 70s/80s was the fact of being introduced to the BMW 3-series when in many ways we were both finding our feet (and in my case being able to see them). Whether it was in two door, four door or wagon (touring), back then the BMW 3-Series was a nameplate that was both envied and lusted over and if I’m honest, still is. 

Anyway, over the years, the popular model has grown in size and shape, the kidney grilles have become an unmissable feature, it’s intelligence has got so Mensa are worried and its performance has grown to epic proportions, but as with the brand itself, the 3-series now comes with a big environmental conscience. Should we be worried? Thankfully not.

BMW 330e PHEV review NZ

Let’s get the technical stuff out of the way first. Under the BMW 330e’s bonnet is a new and improved full-hybrid eDrive system that sends its torque (from both the 2L TwinScroll turbocharged engine or  synchronous electric motor or both) sent to the rear wheels via an eight-speed Steptronic transmission just as a classic Beemer should. Combined they offer up 215kW and 420Nm with an XtraBoost mode that I’ll get to soon. 

Acceleration of 0–100 km/h comes in at 5.9 seconds, fuel consumption is 1.9-1.6l/100 km (Electric power consumption 15.4 – 14.8 kWh/100 km) and CO2 emissions are 43 – 37g/km. Underneath the rear seats sits a 12 kWh Lithium-ion battery that can be charged to 80% in about 2 and half hours (3.7 kW) or via the ICE engine and offers up a comfortable electric-only range of 59 – 66km. 

BMW 330e PHEV review NZ

What that all means is that this new Plug-in hybrid variant gives an electric range that’s over 50 per cent higher than its predecessor’s, CO2 emissions are down by more than 15 per cent and has increased ‘sprinting power’ for off the line and overtaking. However, in a ‘what goes up, must go down’ kind of fashion, there is a small downside to all the above positives, and for the 330e, it’s boot space – with this new PHEV sedan now offering only 375L of room for your golf clubs. ‘Small price to pay’ I say.

The rest of the 330e remains as BMW as they come. With a shapely front that includes laser headlights (600m more viewing range at night), wider kidney grilles, 17-inch alloys, leather seats, clean and clear digital screens for both instrument cluster and infotainment and a sense of ‘posh’ that comes with every BMW you step inside.

BMW 330e PHEV review NZ

My review model came in Sunset Orange with Canberra Beige ‘Vernasca’ Leather, a different kind of colour combination but very easy on the eye. As I said, outwardly it was as BMW as they come and just the extra flap on the nearside wing for plugging in the electrics was all that basically differentiated it from the 330i. Slipping behind the M-Sport wheel was a familiar place to be too and only the lack of start-up roar made reference to this being electric. 

BMW 330e PHEV review NZ

For those that have driven a modern 3-series, you will feel immediately at home, everything is where it should be in terms of switches and dials and the screens offer up everything you desire in terms of personalised data. ‘Hey BMW’ is there to alter the radio station, change the AC temperature, switch on the heated seats, navigate to where you want to go… but I was a little surprised that there was no gesture control for the volume – maybe an option box that wasn’t ticked.

BMW 330e PHEV review NZ

On the whole the ICE and Electric power sources play nicely together but can be a little ‘stuttery’ at lower revs and speeds, but once on the move, you can actually (where possible) go electric only up to 140km/h  – I of course only tested this to 100km/h. Also 60ish km of EV only range is more than sufficient for most commutes. In terms of charging, during my week with the 330e, I switched between using the trickle charger overnight, and pressing the EV switch beside the gear stick and setting the minimum charge level to 80%, so the clever Beemer used its ICE power and regen brakes to keep the batteries charged.

BMW 330e PHEV review NZ

Making its first appearance in the 330e is ‘XtraBoost’. a feature that brings out the performance fun in your environmentally friendly sedan. By activating SPORT driving mode and stamping on the accelerator you gain an additional 30kW on top of the combined 185 kW already generated under the bonnet for a full 10 seconds, enough to leave any tree huggers (or even the 330i I believe) in your wake.  

BMW 330e PHEV review NZ

The extra weight of the battery goes virtually unnoticed even in the corners and although the steering is a little removed from the 3-series of my childhood, I think it’s just the way that vehicles are heading nowadays but should you wish to really remove yourself, the 330e does come with the likes of a high intelligent adaptive cruise control that has you really relaxed even in the heaviest of commuter traffic. 

BMW 330e PHEV review NZ

I would never have even considered the idea of a PHEV 3 back in the 80s but then I wouldn’t have asked my BMW of back then to change the radio station either. Technology is changing and so too are the likes of performance and emissions and with the 330e BMW are embracing both. It’s quick off the line and fun to play with in corners, has an efficient heart and if you need any other reason to feel more smug, the CO2 footprint of the new BMW 330e Sedan is 60% smaller than that of the new BMW 330i Sedan when charging the car with NZ green energy – what a fancy FEV.

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