2013 BMW ActiveHybrid 3 Reviews

We turn the spotlight on the car world's newest and brightest stars as we ask the questions to which you want the answers. But there's only one question that really needs answering -- would you buy one?What is it?This is the 3-Series BMW hybrid for want of a better term but forget any hybrid preconceptions you may have. This car is a high performance sedan offering super fuel economy along with  striking welly and dynamics. It's also crammed with luxury kit. Shop it against the 335i  you will be really surprised.How much?Goes for $97,700 but there are plenty of options to hike that as well as four option packs, Sportline, Modern, Luxury and M Sport. All ad up to a few grand to the purchase price.What are competitors?Not many really. Benz has some BlueEfficincy models but none goes as far as the Bimmer ActiveHybrid. Same from Audi though they do have some fuel economy kings in their lineup.What's under the bonnet?There's a 3.0-litre turbo straight six petrol engine mated to a 40kW electric boost engine located between the eight speed auto transmission and the engine proper. It's a neat installation. Drive still goes to the rear wheels. A lithium ion battery absorbs regenerative electric energy harvested when braking or deceleration. The combined output of electric and petrol engines is 250kW/450Nm The ActiveHybrid can run entirely as an EV if required and does so automatically when cruising.How does it go?Like a rocket. Puts away a 0-100kmh sprint in a tidy 5.3 seconds offering strong acceleration at all speeds merely by pushing the accelerator.Handling is sharp to. This is a fast, engaging sports sedan, not a wimpy fuel miser that grudgingly gives up forward motion.Is it economical?Surprisingly so rated at a mere 5.9-litres/100km. It's significantly better than the petrol only 335i Bimmer and we reckon you could do even better than the claimed figure with a little effort and planning.Is it green?Yes, minimises carbon production due to low fuel consumptionIs it safe?Hi fives. But many driver assistance features are optional.Is it comfortable?Yes, leather sports seats, heads up display, drive experience control with Eco-Pro, Comfort and Sport modes, electronic diff lock, electric power steering, rain and dusk sensors, cruise control with braking, premium audio, Bi-xenons, on board computer with internet, 6.5-inch info screen with proferssional satnav, voice control, 18-inch alloysWhat's it like to driveSuper impressive  have your cake and eat it too. Offers performance on par with the 335i with the economy of the 320 four banger.Has excellent dynamics, powerful brakes, great engine sound, sexy stylinIs it value for moneyAt just under 100k, good value against possible competitors. A technology showpiece.Would we buy oneIn a flash.

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.VALUEThe BMW ActiveHybrid comes in at $97,700, available with an eight speed automatic transmission only.TECHNOLOGYThe 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 ONLYYou 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.DRIVINGMake 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.VERDICTCivic 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 3Price: from $97,300Engine: 3.0-litre 6-cyl; petrol 225kW/400Nm; electric 40kW/210Nm; combined 250kW/450NmWarranty: 3 years/unlimted kmCrash rating: n/aTransmission: 8-speed hybrid automatic; RWD