BMW has revealed UK pricing and spec details for a range of new plug-in hybrids, alongside announcing updates for existing models.
The latest editions to the German maker’s PHEV line-up are the X3 xDrive30e and X5 xDrive45e, available to order from £47,565 and £63,165 respectively.
The smaller of the two, the X3, is powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol engine with an electric motor for a total output of 248bhp. It’s also equipped with ‘XtraBoost’, an on-demand system that adds 41bhp from the EV system at the touch of a button.
It promises an all-electric range of up to 34 miles, economy of up to 128mpg and CO2 emissions of 49g/km, alongside a 0-62mph time of 6.1sec. Production of the X3 xDrive30e will begin in December, with SE, xLine and M Sport trims offered.
The plug-in X5 makes use of a 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder engine mated to a 113bhp electric motor, combining for a peak 389bhp and 442lb ft. A significantly larger 24kWh battery allows a quoted all-electric range of 54 miles - three times that of the old model. Economy is quoted at up to 235mpg, with 39g/km of CO2, while it manages 0-62mph in 5.6sec and a 146mph top speed.
The BMW 330e, which we drove earlier this year, is also now on pricing lists in the UK. It comes in four trim levels, promising 0-62mph in 6.0sec and up to 201mpg, and is priced from £37,875.
Two other BMW PHEVs, the 530e saloon and 225xe Active Tourer, see new lithium batteries fitted to improve range. The packs have the same dimensions as the ones they replace but the energy content has increased from 9.2kWh to 12kWh, boosting EV range to up to 35 miles on the 530e and 31 miles on the 225xe.
The former promises up to 156mpg and CO2 emissions as low as 36g/km, although this worsens significantly with the addition of xDrive all-wheel drive. The 225xe is claimed to offer up to 166mpg.
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