BMW might release three more new PHEVs for the 3 Series

BMW officially proclaimed earlier this year the three plug-in hybrids added for the 3 Series. The list included the 330e Touring, 330e Touring xDrive, and 330e Sedan xDrive. But we might see more next year. BMW might release three more new PHEVs for the 3 Series.

The speculations for the new PHEVs that BMW might release soon came from the wheelmaker BBS database. It named three new models: BMW 320e Touring, 320e xDrive Touring, and 320e Sedan. Concrete conclusions are still far-fetched with this information only. However, the G20/G21 3 Series platform has the capacity and flexibility to have more PHEVs.

With a flexible platform, they can use current powerplants mated to an electric motor to have an emission-free range. For example, the 320e can also use the B48 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. And like with the 330e, the 320e can use the throttled version of the said engine. It will produce not more than 200 hp when coupled with the electric motor. Generating more power is not possible because that would make the 320e overlap with the 330e power.

The expected pure-electric driving range might not steer far from the 330e. Meaning, the 320e may offer around 50 kilometers on pure electric drive. The big reveal would be if an all-wheel drive and a rear-wheel-drive 320e Touring would be available.

As expected, the same charging condition of the 330e models should apply to the 320 models. Currently, the new BMW PHEVs can charge through standard household sockets. The 330e’s discharged battery gains 80 percent of its total capacity within 4.2 hours. But with the BMW i Wallbox, complete charging only takes 2.4 to 4.3 hours.

If BMW plans to make new 320e models in Munich, we might hear some news next year. BMW might release official announcements in Spring 2021 with a market presentation.