The PHEV BMW X3 xDrive30e will appeal to performance and efficiency enthusiasts.
- Projected pure electric range of between 30-32 km.
- Total system output of 292-horsepower.
- Both X3 and PHEV battery pack to be built in Spartanburg, SC.
- Market launch planned for Q1 2020.
The BMW X3 is one of the sport-luxury car company’s most popular models. The rush to lower our carbon footprint is creating high demand for electrified vehicles and BMW has spotted an opportunity. And rightfully so as the new BMW X3 xDrive30e will deliver all the expected BMW attributes all the while permitting fully electric driving.
The new BMW X3 xDrive30e will rely on a turbocharged 2.0-litre 4-cylinder engine which will generate 184-horsepower. An electric motor is integrated into the 8-speed automatic transmission and produces an output of 109-horsepower. Combined, the system provides 292-horsepower, enough to launch the X3 xDrive30e to 100 km/k in 6.1 seconds.
Supplying the electric motor with power is a 12 kWh high-voltage lithium-ion battery. With a full charge, electric range is expected to be of 20 miles, or roughly 30-32 km. The BMW xDrive30e will retain the services of the X3’s xDrive AWD system for all-weather drivability.
Crucial to any PHEV with a small battery is the ability to lock out a remaining charge. BMW will offer a BATTERY CONTROL setting to keep the available charge at a level determined by the driver. This way, the electric power reserve can be saved for intra-city driving and not wasted at freeway speeds. Also important is the fact that the BMW X3 xDrive30e does not lose any trunk volume over the non-electrified X3s, at 450 litres of usable volume.