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BMW Eco innovation: Electric and hybrid vehicles

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Introduction:

BMW is a leading premium brand of vehicles. The company was founded in 1916 and since then has grown into one of the most famous luxury auto brands in the vehicle industry. The company is also known for its focus on technological innovation. Its growth and popularity are a result of consistent focus upon innovation and vehicle design. Being a leading vehicle brand, it invests a large sum each year in research and development. The demand for eco-friendly vehicles has grown in this decade. Now, more and more consumers are looking for environment-friendly vehicles including hybrids. BMW has also brought a nice big range of environment friendly cars including electric cars and hybrids. Its range of electric cars which includes the i-models has two magnificent and sporty models – i3 and i3s. Apart from that, there are seven plugin hybrid models from BMW which include BMW 225xe Active Tourer, BMW i8 Roadster, BMW i8 Coupe and others.

Have a look at what BMW is offering and which technologies power the BMW cars.

Electric cars :-

BMW has released two electric models – BMW i3 and BMW i3s.

BMW i series has been ruling as the best selling premium electric cars. It has remained a top selling premium electric car right since 2013, not just in Europe but in the other corners of the world too. Its performance in Germany has been even great where the brand has been topping the charts in new vehicle registrations. Both BMW i3 and BMW i3s were initially equipped with a lithium-ion high-voltage battery developed by the BMW Group with a capacity of 94 ampere hours (Ah) or 33 kilowatt hours (kWh).  The new BMW i3 and BMW i3s have an enhanced 120Ah battery, that offers an incredible all-electric range of up to 160 miles. Customers can also order an optional range extender engine for both the new BMW i3 and the new BMW i3s. The new BMW i3 features carbon-fibre passenger compartments, lighter as well as stronger than steel, and with low-mounted batteries for maximum handling. To make charging convenient, BMW has rolled out a charge now service which includes more than 6,100 charging stations. The BMW i Wallbox is there for faster charging of the vehicle at home.

BMW i3 features:

BMW i3’s electric engine with 170hp and 250Nm of torque, offers zero driving emissions, and accelerates effortlessly from 0 to 62mph in just 7.3 seconds.

  • fully-electric eDrive drivetrain powers the BMW i3
  • Purpose-built LifeDrive vehicle architecture for electric mobility.
  • ECO PRO and ECO PRO+ driving modes for optimal performance.
  • Top driving speed of 93mph and a range of 160 miles.

BMW i3S features :-

BMW i3s, packs 184hp and a maximum torque of 270Nm. It has the same range of 160 miles, and offers a more athletic driving experience which goes from 0 to 62mph in just 6.9 seconds. i3s delivers a maxspeed of 99mph, and comes loaded with a suite of sporty extras.

  • Sport suspension in i3s lowers the vehicle by 10mm and increases agility.
  • SPORT driving mode button for maximum performance.
  • Optimised Dynamic Traction Control (DCT) which enhances stability.
  • Sport steering for a tighter and more accurate driving experience.
  • Larger 20″ wheels provide a 40mm wider track.

BMW i-models pricing:

  • BMW i3 (USA): $44,450 (starting MSRP)
  • BMW i3 with range extender (USA): $48,300 (starting MSRP)
  • BMW i3s (USA) :$47,650 (starting MSRP)
  • BMw i3s with range extender (USA): $51,500 (starting MSRP)
  • BMW i3 120 Ah (UK):  £34,445
  • BMW i3s 120 Ah (UK) : £36,935

Plugin Hybrid Models by BMW :-

BMW has a nice range of seven plugin hybrid models that include “BMW 225xe Active Tourer,  BMW 330e Saloon, BMW X3 xDrive30e, BMW 530e Saloon, BMW 745e Saloon, BMW i8 Coupé and BMW i8 Roadster”.

BMW 225xe Active Tourer :- BMW 225xe Active Tourer combines a petrol engine with an electric motor. BMW eDrive technology and powerful petrol engines offer an electrifying driving experience. Accelerates from 0 to 62mph in only 6.7 seconds. Models include SE, Sports, Luxury and M Sport. Offers a top speed of 127mph.

Price (UK) – from £25,485 (On the road)

BMW 330e Saloon:

Features like an all-electric range of more than 30 miles and acceleration of 0 to 62mph in 6.5 seconds make it the ultimate driving machine. The new BMW 330e Saloon is 30 per cent faster than its predecessor, delivering a 50 per cent increase in electric-only range and higher than 10% reduction in CO2 emissions. It comes with ‘standard-fit XtraBoost’, an on-demand performance system to increase the power output of the plug-in hybrid drive from 252hp by 41hp at the press of a button. The new plug-in hybrid can cover a distance of up to 37 miles only on electric power while average combined fuel consumption is now 138mpg and CO2 emissions are 39g/km.  The plug-in hybrid drivetrain includes a 184hp 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with BMW TwinPower Turbo Technology aligned to an electric motor which can generate a continuous output of 68hp and a peak output of 113hp.

Prices in UK starting from £32,445 (On the road price).

BMW X3 xDrive30e:

Enhanced BMW eDrive technology and superior xDrive handling, the BMW X3 xDrive30e SAV. This model is going to be available by December 2019 and boasts of enhanced BMW e drive technology. It offers  up to 31 miles of pure electric range as well as superior xDrive handling. The vehicle can go from 0 to 62 mph in just 6.2 seconds while using both electric and combustion engines.

BMW 530e Saloon:

A sports car that consumes just as much as a compact car. Loaded with features like xDrive, BMW’s intelligent all-wheel drive system, Integral Active Steering, and the Drive Performance Control with Adaptive Mode, the BMW 5 Series Saloon has been created to deliver outstanding handling and performance. BMW TwinPower Turbo engines (both diesel and petrol), the BMW 5 Series Saloon delivers a power output of 140 kW (190 hp) and can go from 0 to 62mph in just 7.5 seconds. Moreover, the use of aluminium and aluminium alloys in its chassis makes it at least 100 kgs lighter than its predecessors. Moreover, there are three driving modes to make driving more comfortable for the drivers – COMFORT Mode, ECO PRO Mode and SPORT Mode. There is also an adaptive mode which makes it possible to switch from one mode to another according to the driving situation.

Prices in UK starting from £36,980 (On Road Price).

BMW i8 Coupé and i8 roadster :–

The electric motor and combustion engine in BMW i8coupe and i8 roadster provide a total output of 369hp and 420 lb-ft of torque. Both are a continuation of the sporting heritage of BMW. Go from 0-60mph in just 4.2 seconds. There are four driving modes to offer a comfortable drive. The standard COMFORT mode is a balance between sporty performance and fuel efficient driving. SPORT mode uses the power of the combustion engine, and the electric motor adds extra boost. ECO PRO mode is suited to an efficient, optimized driving style to be used in both all-electric and blend mode. The eDRIVE mode is purely electric mode, that offers a max speed of 75 mph. In this mode, the ride is totally tailpipe emission-free.

2019 BMW i8 Coupe Specifications :

  • AC Synchronous Electric Motor;
  • 11.6 kWh lithium-ion battery;
  • 1.5 liter BMW TwinPower Turbo 3-cylinder;
  • fully charged in approx. 3 hours;
  • 369 Horsepower;
  • Starting MSRP – $147,500

2019 BMW i8 Roadster Specifications:

  • AC Synchronous Electric Motor;
  • 11.6 kWh lithium-ion battery;
  • 1.5 liter BMW TwinPower Turbo 3-cylinder;
  • fully charged in approx. 3 hours;
  • 369 Horsepower, 0-60 mph in just 4.4 seconds.
  • Starting MSRP $163,300

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