BMW 3 Series eDrive to debut this year?

CarAdvice reports that BMW is preparing the launch of a new hybrid model for the 3 Series family to debut this year: BMW 320e (eDrive). The car will share some of its drivetrain technology with the upcoming X5 eDrive. While the X5 eDrive uses a four-cylinder turbo petrol engine coupled with a 70kW electric motor, the 3 Series eDrive is said to pair the same electric motor to a three-cylinder petrol powerplant which will give the 320e impressive fuel savings. The X5 eDrive already claims an average fuel consumption of 3.8 liters per 100 km and CO2 emissions of less than 90 grams per kilometer.

BMW currently has another hybrid, the ActiveHybrid 3 uses a six-in-line engine, an electric motor and lithium-ion battery. BMW claims a performance of 5.3 seconds from zero to 100 km/h (62 mph) while consumption is relatively low, only 5.9 liters per 100 km (37 mpg) and 139 g CO2/km in the EU test cycle.

Despite the hybrid tech in ActiveHybrid 3, other models like the 316i, 318d and 320d offer better fuel savings.

Along with the new 3 Series eDrive, BMW will offer in the future the same technology in 1 and 5 Series models, as well as in the X5 SAV.