BMW ActiveHybrid 3 is 340 hp of 335i killing power
Posted Jul 7th 2012 10:00AM
CommentsAdd
We've learned to expect that hybrid vehicles will produce lower emissions and fuel-consumption scores than their standard gasoline-burning siblings. What we generally don't expect, however, is for that same hybrid to have quicker acceleration than its turbocharged brother or for it to make more overall horsepower!
Such is the case with the BMW ActiveHybrid 3, which offers up 340 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque from its 3.0-litre twin-turbo inline six and electric motor combination – useful gains from the 300 hp and 300 lb-ft in the 335i. Those added ponies allow the Hybrid 3 to hit 100 km/h (62 mph) miles per hour in just 5.3 seconds, a .2-second improvement, according to the automaker, over the thirstier 335i.
BMW says the Hybrid 3 can travel up to 4.0 km on electricity alone at speeds of up to 75 km/h, though not at the same time, of course, and fuel efficiency into a scant 5.9 L/100km (40 mpg) on the EU test cycle.
A lithium ion battery pack resides in the trunk, and it's made up of 96 individual cells with a rated output of 675 W. Power is sent to the rear wheels from the dual drivetrain through an eight-speed automatic gearbox that shares its outer casing with the 55-hp electric motor. Naturally, there's a rather prominent badge on the C-pillar displaying the car's fuel-saving credentials, as you can see in our image gallery above.
Full details can be found in the press release past the jump, but there's still no word on when we can expect to see the ActiveHybrid 3 in Canada or what it may cost if and when it arrives but we'll be the first to let you know.
