BMW added another addition to its alternative powertrain options and has fully unveiled it earlier today at 2012 North American International Auto Show.
For the first time ever, the BMW 3-Series gets a hybrid powertrain. Of course, most purists and even regular BMW enthusiasts would think that this is absolute blasphemous. And it is because I would personally agree. But the times are changing and this is BMW’s answer to help reduce their CAFE rating, which would help quite a bit considering that the 3-Series is their most successful model.
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To keep us driving enthusiasts interested, the ActiveHybrid 3 comes standard with the same engine as the new 335i: a 3.0L turbocharged TwinPower Turbo straight-six that churns out 300hp. It’s mated to an all new ZF 8-speedautomatic transmission that also is hooked up to an electric motor that produces 55hp. The total amount using simple mathematics would result in 355hp. But according to BMW’s figures, we assume that they factored in some powertrain loss and rated the ActiveHybrid 3 at just 335hp and 330 lb-ft of torque.
The hybrid system is expected to give the ActiveHybrid 3 an EPA figure that hovers around the average of 36 mpg. Official EPA figures have yet to be released. Additionally, the system allows the ActiveHybrid 3 to travel on just electric power for roughly 2 to 2.5 miles at speed of up to 37 mph.
Pricing will be announced later on.
