New entry-level BMW 320e and 520e PHEVs unveiled

BMW has verified it will launch new entry-level plug-in hybrid variations of the three Sequence and 5 Sequence saloons, named the 320e and 520e respectively. The new models would not make it to the Uk – but they are owing to go on sale in Europe in March with lessen price tags than the current 330e and 530e models. 

The new entry-level BMW 320e and 520e plug-in hybrids will equally use the exact powertrain – a 2.-litre four-cylinder petrol engine that’s mated to an electric motor and 12kWh lithium- ion battery pack, for a mixed output of 201bhp and 350Nm of torque.

Each cars and trucks will also element an 8-speed automatic gearbox and rear-wheel-generate as common, though the three Sequence will be optionally accessible with BMW xDrive all-wheel-generate process. Customers will also be equipped to decide on equally cars and trucks in saloon or estate bodystyles. 

In the 320e saloon, the powertrain presents a 0–62mph time of seven.six seconds and a top speed of 140mph. Owing to the excess bodyweight, the 520e saloon completes the exact sprint in seven.nine seconds, though its top speed continues to be identical. When running in pure-electric method, equally cars and trucks will also attain a top speed of 87mph.

BMW states the new 320e will have an electric-only assortment of amongst 30 and 35 miles depending on spec, though the 5 Sequence will control amongst 25 and 34 miles. When plugged into a 3kW wallbox, the pair will recuperate an eighty % top-up in around 2.5 hrs, with a total recharge using three.5 hrs.

In terms of economy, BMW statements that equally the 320e and 520e will return amongst 156.9mpg and 217.2mpg. CO2 emissions are equally lower, with the previous saloon returning as minor as 29g/km and the latter claiming as minor as 30g/km – that means equally cars and trucks will slide into the cheapest Uk road tax bracket for combustion engined cars and trucks.

Nonetheless, the battery pack does eat into equally cars’ boot space a bit. The new 320e saloon has a capacity of 375 litres, in contrast with 480 litres in the common design. It is the exact tale in the 520e, with boot space slipping from 530 litres to 410 litres. BMW’s Touring models go some way to resolving the problem, with capacity swelling to a optimum of 1,420 litres for the 320e and 1,560 litres for the 520e.

There is some clever engineering equipped to equally cars and trucks, geared in direction of earning them greener. For illustration, equally these new BMWs element a geofencing process in their sat-navs, which can recognise when the driver enters an emissions controlled spot and mechanically excursion the powertrain to operate in pure-electric method.

BMW has also made an try to incentivise economical driving. For every single kilometre pushed on pure electric power, the driver gets just one “BMW Position,” which can then be exchanged for electric power at just one of the company’s general public charging stations.

What do you make of the new entry-level BMW three Sequence and 5 Sequence PHEVs? Enable us know in the opinions area below…