BMW 330e (Série 3 berline hybride rechargeable) : la conduite - Essai 2/3

A review of the BMW 330e and 225xe, BMW's new plug-in hybrid models, in a 3-part report: Episode 1: BMW 330e Review: The Discovery:    • BMW 330e (Série 3 berline hybride recharge...   Episode 2: BMW 330e Review: The Drive:    • BMW 330e (Série 3 berline hybride recharge...   Episode 3: BMW 225xe Review:    • BMW 225xe (Série 2 Active Tourer) : le mon...   Summary of this episode: Patrice Vergès, Cédric Fréour, and Renaud Roubaudi of Petites Observations Automobiles (POA) present the new BMW 330e. It's a 3 Series plug-in hybrid sedan with eDrive technology (a combination of an electric motor and a BMW TwinPower Turbo engine). Editor's note: Cédric Fréour, Patrice Vergès, and I were invited to test the BMW 330e plug-in hybrid at the Domaine des Etangs. Given that the BMW 330e can travel around thirty kilometers in 100% electric mode, the idea was to test this mode as often as possible on this vast estate, the perfect setting for an idyllic world far from the tumult of global warming and the daily announced end of the world. Specifications: With a total capacity of 185 kW, or 252 horsepower, the BMW 330e's hybrid system consists of a 2.0-liter gasoline engine with 135 kW and 290 Nm, coupled with a 65 kW and 250 Nm electric motor. Housed under the luggage compartment, the battery offers a total capacity of 7.6 kWh and provides an electric range of around 40 kilometers. In 100% electric operation, the BMW 330e can travel up to 120 km/h (75 mph). The BMW 330e's battery can be charged from either a conventional household outlet or a wallbox. Connected to a wallbox with a charging power of 3.7 kW, the battery is fully charged in 2 hours 15 minutes. Using a standard household outlet, the charging time increases to 3 hours 15 minutes. In terms of performance, and thanks to a total torque of 420 Nm (420 lb-ft), the BMW 330e accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 6.3 seconds and can reach a speed of 225 km/h (140 mph) on the racetrack. In addition to the general driving modes (SPORT, COMFORT, and ECO PRO), the BMW 330e offers three specific driving modes: AUTO eDRIVE (basic mode) which ensures ideal interaction between the two powertrains with a maximum electric speed of 80 km/h (50 mph). MAX eDRIVE for 100% electric operation up to 120 km/h. SAVE BATTERY, which maintains the battery's energy capacity and recharges it if its charge level is low. According to the European NEDC cycle, the BMW 330e's fuel consumption is 2.1 to 1.9 liters per 100 kilometers, with CO2 emissions ranging from 49 to 44 grams per kilometer depending on the type of tires used. Also watch: the BMW i8 plug-in hybrid test drive, a 4-part report: Episode 1: The meeting:    • BMW i8 : la découverte - Essai 1/4   Episode 2: The road:    • BMW i8 : la conduite - Essai 2/4   Episode 3: The debate:    • La BMW i8 est-elle une voiture de football...   Episode 4: Reflections:    • BMW i8 : le verdict - Essai 4/4   Petites Observations Automobiles (POA): life, people, and their car stories! Subscribe to POA for free so you don't miss a thing and support us :-):    / pinder144