Having only been revealed at the tail end of last year, the G20 BMW 3 Series lineup is already sprawling, with a range of petrol and diesel variants, a plug-in hybrid and a more powerful M3 on the horizon. But Munich isn’t stopping there, because it’s apparently preparing another PHEV to supplement the existing 330e, according to the folks at BMWBlog.
Its report suggests that a cheaper, less powerful variant, the 320e, will be introduced sometime next year – a fact that has supposedly been confirmed by two of the publication’s sources. Whereas the 330e utilises the B48 2.0 litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, this new model is expected to be powered by the B38 1.5 litre three-pot that will be familiar to owners of the outgoing 318i.
In that car, this engine produces 136 PS and 220 Nm of torque, so expect quite a bit of augmentation from the electric motor to bring the power figure up to the 184 PS of the equivalent petrol-powered model, the 320i. It’s unclear whether the 320e will also employ the XtraBoost feature, which in the 330e boosts power from 252 PS to 292 PS in short bursts under acceleration.
As for all-electric range, the 330e can go up to 60 km with a 12 kWh battery and a 68 hp (constant) electric motor, so expect the same from the 320e with a slightly smaller battery and less powerful motor. The plug-in hybrid powertrain in this car will be fundamentally different from those in the X1 xDrive25e and 225xe Active Tourer, as those models are front-biased all-wheel drive models with an Aisin gearbox instead of a ZF one.
GALLERY: G20 BMW 330e in Munich
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Hooray! Us Beemer owners can pay same roadtax rates as Myvi owners. Thank you PH, you da best for looking after us!
the same roadtax for my Civic 1.5T and a Beemer,
Buy premium German. Lady factory workers dont sit at china cars.
Lolz! In here, This G20 320e roadtax price will be smaller as 318i roadtax price
A less poweful but similarly expensive to maintain bmw
Amazing…
Good looking car but cheaper RM
The previous gen F30 318i was a very refined all-rounder selling pre-reg units Rm169K only, roadtax Rm90 .. Paying the same amt of roadtax, this G20 320e gonna be a huge premium bargain.
Agreed
‘Premium bargain’ – that is an oxymoron only a German mother would love. One of the great German jokes.
My E36 325i straight-six screams better, and make more power. If you’re worried about fuel consumption, fuel price or the economy, stay away from BMW.
Ada benzil subsidi RM30?
ALL hybrid cars have terrible resale value. Period.
But the car gonna weight 1.7 tonnes… Not sure whats the driving dynamic like if its only 184PS
Poor 1.5L engine gonna drag the 1.7tonne-car with 136PS when your battery run out of juice.
Just bring back the 320i
Good. When BMW brought in 330e last game, they killed all the 3 series petrol cars. Now they smart already.
less punchy, but powerful enough la kot to glide along the highway, 318i also not bad what dulu. As long as they keep their price low, then this will sell well here in Msia
We are using smaller engine capacity and electric cars not because we are progressing but only as a damage control. We are regressing, automotive wise.
The big question is, will BMW Malaysia bring it in?
I own 2 bmw phev. This is quite irrelevant to us since 330e g20 is not even getting green light to come in.
Driven 318i as a courtesy car before and the power is already unless there are ways to lower the car overall weight, if not the car will just defeat it’s purpose.
Our infrastructure also lacking behind and education is even worse. Non phev blocking, phev charging more then 3 hours etc etc.
Whatever it is Malaysia BMW so slow in introducing more desirable specs
everyone getting their c200 , look at em swarming otr even outnumbering the camry
Wonderful concept. Would however make a lot more sence in the i3 silhouette.