Rumor of the day comes from Auto123 magazine which reports on BMW’s plans to phase out the 335d model for the U.S. market. According to the Canadian magazine that doesn’t quote any official sources, the only diesel 3 Series for the North American market will be replaced by the new ActiveHybrid 3.
BMW’s first 50-state-legal diesel delivers 265 hp at 4220 rpm, and an all too fun 425 lb-ft of torque between 1750 and 2250 rpm. Driving through a six-speed automatic transmission, this engine propels the 335d from 0 to 60 mph in 6.0 sec while delivering 23 mpg city and 36 mpg on the highway. Or in other words, a combination of impressive performance and fuel consumption.
The alleged successor, ActiveHybrid 3, uses the N55 3.0 liter six-cylinder turbocharged TwinPower engine aided by an electrical engine to deliver an additional 40 kW (about 53 horsepower). The hybrid technology is similar to the one seen in the BMW ActiveHybrid 5. The electric motor in the latter model develops 40 kW/55 hp and is supplied with energy by a high-performance lithium-ion battery integrated into the luggage area.
The innovative hybrid system features a coasting mode (with the engine switched off) active at up to 160 km/h (100 mph).
Estimated fuel consumption for the 3 Series hybrid is 37 MPG.
We reached out to BMW for an official statement, stay tuned!
[Source: Auto123 ]
Author: Horatiu Boeriu
Source: http://www.bmwblog.com/2012/02/09/rumor ... ehybrid-3/