BMW’s forthcoming 2019 3 Series 330e Sedan will offer extra range and performance but with lower CO2 emissions when it goes on sale next summer.

BMW 330e

Announced following the global reveal of the new generation BMW 3 Series, the plug-in hybrid variant sticks with the 184hp 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine in the current set-up, married up with an electric motor that generates a continuous output of 68hp and a peak output of 113hp, and an eight-speed Steptronic transmission. This gives a total 252hp of power and 420Nm of torque, as with the current model.

However, a major new addition to the 2019 model is the standard-fit XtraBoost, which provides an extra 41hp by drawing on the battery when available. This means the latest model brings a 0-100kph time of 6.0 seconds with a 230kph top speed (6.1 and 225kph previously).

The new BMW 330e Saloon also features a new 12.0kWh lithium-ion high-voltage battery compared to the previous 7.7kWh set-up. This brings an increase in the electric-only range, which rises from 40 to 60km while it can also travel up to 140kph when running on electric power alone – 20kph faster than the predecessor model. However, boot space falls from 480 litres to 375 due to the battery positioning.

Meanwhile CO2 emissions have been reduced by more than 10%, from 44g/km on the full NEDC cycle in the current 330e to 39g/km NEDC Correlated for the new model while official combined fuel consumption is now 1.7l/100km.

Other changes include new sound capabilities to replicate the noise of a performance engine while drivers can also specify an acoustic pedestrian protection function to help pedestrians hear the car when it’s in electric-only mode.

The 330e also gains new satnav services to provide added information on charging, including forecasting the occupancy status of the public charging station at the time of arrival.

Pre-heating and pre-conditioning of the interior come as standard on all models and most options on the standard 3 Series are also available. The 330e can also be fitted with the Adaptive M suspension including Variable Sports Steering and the M sports brake system.