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BMW 3 Series ActiveHybrid 2012 review


The flagship of BMW's 3 Series range will soon be a hybrid, a petrol-electric car with plenty of performance and fuel economy to match.

When we hear the term hybrid, it usually conjurs 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 (rather than just reduce emissions and fuel consumption). Lexus has been one of the pioneers in this area but now the others are starting to follow suit.

UNDER THE BONNET

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 is based. Modulating the delivery of power to the rear wheels is an eight-speed hybrid automatic transmission that has been integrated with the electric motor into the one housing.

The 675Wh lithium-ion battery pack is tucked away under the boot. In addition to the conventional 14 volt electrical system, there's also a 317 volt system that powers the aircon system providing cooling for both passengers and the battery. It's the same hybrid powertrain as that in the ActiveHybrid 5.

ELECTRIC ONLY

You can't plug this car in and charge it. Charging happens as part of normal driving when the engine is not under load. 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 but okay for running down to the shops or around the city.

THE STATS

The battery pack and other hybrid components add 135kg to the weight of the car 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 has an electronically limited top speed of 250km/h.

Fuel consumption is 5.9 litres/100km, down from 7.2 litres/100km and it emits 139g/km of CO2. To reduce fuel the system shuts down the engine at traffic lights as well as when braking or cruising up to a speed of 160km/h.

THE COMPETITION

The Lexus GS450h and soon to be launched Infiniti M35h spring to mind. Neither of them are slouches either, but the Beemer has the edge on both - on paper at least. Both the Lexus and the Infiniti are two tenths slower to 100km/h - at 5.5 seconds. Can't wait until we see them go head to head.

THE DRIVE

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 with a snarl from the twin exhausts. Acceleration is strident, the engine note impressive and it's an exciting car to drive. The Hybrid is all this and more.

To quantify this the dash from 0-100km/h in the 335i takes 5.5 seconds while the Hybrid3 takes just 5.3 seconds. But no one drives like this for very long and keeps their licence. Most of the time the vast majority of drivers pedal their car softly and that is where the hybrid system comes into its own. For most of the time it means you can be green.

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 fuel efficiency. The rev counter area includes displays showing the amount of boost being provided by the electric motor during acceleration, as well as energy flow and energy recaptured during braking.

Driving in ECO Pro mode this week 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. As well as ECO Pro mode, other drive modes include comfort, sport and sport plus. However, if you care more about performance, you can option a quick-shifting sports auto, with a customised selector lever, more aggressive change pattern and wheel mounted paddle shifts.

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? The ActiveHybrid 3 joins the ActiveHybrid 5 here in October. The price is expected to be less than $100,000.

$10,979 - $29,990

Based on 54 car listings in the last 6 months

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Price Guide

$10,979 - $29,990

Based on 54 car listings in the last 6 months

Disclaimer: The pricing information shown in the editorial content (Review Prices) is to be used as a guide only and is based on information provided to Carsguide Autotrader Media Solutions Pty Ltd (Carsguide) both by third party sources and the car manufacturer at the time of publication. The Review Prices were correct at the time of publication.  Carsguide does not warrant or represent that the information is accurate, reliable, complete, current or suitable for any particular purpose. You should not use or rely upon this information without conducting an independent assessment and valuation of the vehicle.