BMW 3 Series ActiveHybrid 2013 review

When we hear the term hybrid, it usually conjures up images of a geekmobile, a car created in the name of fuel economy that no one really wants to drive.

The first hybrids might have been like this, but there's another kind of hybrid these days one that draws on the electric motor to boost performance.

VALUE

The BMW ActiveHybrid comes in at $97,700, available with an eight speed automatic transmission only.

TECHNOLOGY

The ActiveHybrid 3 features BMW's 225kW/400Nm twin turbo 3.0-litre petrol straight six, together with a 40kW/210Nm electric motor, for a combined system output of 250kW and 450Nm - 25kW more power and 50Nm more torque than the 335i on which it's based.

Modulating the delivery of power to the rear wheels is an eight-speed automatic transmission that has been integrated with the electric motor into a single housing. The 675Wh lithium-ion battery pack is tucked away under the floor in the boot.

ELECTRIC ONLY

You can't plug this car in and charge it. Charging happens as part of normal driving. But it can run on electric power only up to a speed of 75 km/h. With a full charge and keeping to a speed of 35km/h, it has a range of up to 4km - not very far.

The battery pack and other hybrid components add 135kg to the weight and boot space is reduced by 90 litres, but the split fold rear seat remains. The car accelerates from 0-100km/h in 5.3 seconds and fuel consumption is 5.9 litres/100km, down from 7.2 litres/100km. To reduce fuel the system shuts down at traffic lights as well as when braking or cruising up to a speed of 160km/h.

DRIVING

Make no mistake, this car is first and foremost a 335i, with twin turbos and plenty of mumbo. Punch the accelerator and it takes off. Acceleration is strident, the engine note impressive and it's an exciting car to drive. The Hybrid is all this and more.

To make the most of the hybrid system you must first put the car into ECO PRO mode, one of several drive modes available. In this mode the car makes more frequent use of full electric mode for maximum efficiency. The rev counter area includes displays showing the amount of boost being provided by the electric motor, as well as energy flow and energy recaptured during braking.

Driving in ECO Pro mode in Germany we felt the engine turn off frequently at traffic lights, as well as when lifting off the accelerator or just driving slowly with a light application of the throttle. The result after about 120km of driving was 8.2 litres/100km, not outstanding but we weren't really trying others got in the low 6s.
ECO Pro is designed to work in tandem with the car's satellite navigation system, looking ahead to see where it can deactivate the petrol engine to save fuel.

VERDICT

Civic duty or devious marketing ploy? It's an intriguing way to entice people to buy and drive more hybrids, in effect giving them a 335i but with a top up in performance.

The twin turbo 335i has an enviable reputation as a driver's car it will be interesting to see what the public makes of this one?

BMW ActiveHybrid 3

Price: from $97,300
Engine: 3.0-litre 6-cyl; petrol 225kW/400Nm; electric 40kW/210Nm; combined 250kW/450Nm
Warranty: 3 years/unlimted km
Crash rating: n/a
Transmission: 8-speed hybrid automatic; RWD