The new BMW 225xe Active Tourer iPerformance now available in Singapore.

BMW Asia and Performance Motors announced the availability of the new BMW 225xe Active Tourer iPerformance. The new model is a combination of everyday practicality, driving dynamics and efficiency is without parallel worldwide.

Two in one – plug-in hybrid technology.

The hybrid drive system in the new BMW 225xe Active Tourer iPerformance features a 100 kW / 136 hp three-cylinder engine with BMW TwinPower Turbo technology. A member of the new BMW engine family, the 1.5-litre unit, drives the front wheels via a six-speed Steptronic transmission and teams up with a 65 kW / 88 hp electric motor at the rear axle, which offers a range of up to 41 km on electric power alone.

The lithium-ion battery is arranged in a space-saving position under the rear seat bench and has a capacity of 7.6 kWh. The energy content for customers’ use comes to 5.7 kWh. The highly efficient use of space is complemented by electrified xDrive, as well as various operating and drive modes.

Optimised fuel consumption over short distances and in urban areas was a key objective in the development of the new BMW 225xe Active Tourer iPerformance’s plug-in hybrid drive system. Dynamic ability and efficiency in urban use were both key areas of focus in the development of the synchronous electric motor and its incorporation into the drive system via a single-speed transmission.

When running on electric power only, the new BMW 225xe Active Tourer iPerformance drives like a rear-wheel-drive car. Its extra weight over the rear axle enables even more finely balanced weight distribution and, as a result, further enhanced driving dynamics.

Spacious and versatile.

The cutting-edge front-wheel-drive concept employed by BMW for the 2 Series Active Tourer provides unbeatable space and functionality for a compact model. A raised seating position and comfortable entry and exit allows the new BMW 225xe Active Tourer iPerformance to impress in everyday use, while its compact exterior dimensions, spacious interior and enviable versatility also represent a compelling proposition.

The rear seat bench of the new BMW 225xe Active Tourer iPerformance is positioned 30 millimetres higher than in the other variants of the car, and the battery is mounted underneath. Finely graduated seat backrest adjustment, which comes as standard for the rear bench, provides extra variability. Despite the mounted battery underneath, luggage volume is still very similar to that of the conventionally powered variants of the 2 Series Active Tourer: overall load capacity is 400 litres.

The perfect interplay of drive components.

The electric motor has an ultra-high efficiency factor of up to 96 per cent. Added to which, the electric drive system’s instantaneous reactions from a standstill and high torque of 165 Nm fit the hallmark dynamic profile of BMW vehicles like a glove and imbue the car with poise and assurance in the city and beyond.

Pure electric and therefore locally emission-free driving is possible up to a speed of 125 km/h. At higher speeds, the BMW TwinPower Turbo petrol engine is brought almost imperceptibly into play by the integrated high-voltage starter-generator and the electric motor is decoupled. At expressway speeds, the new BMW 225xe Active Tourer iPerformance morphs into a purely front-drive car and can reach up to 202 km/h.

In all other driving situations, the plug-in hybrid’s intelligent energy management ensures the combustion engine and electric motor combine to optimum effect. A fundamental use for the electric energy generated by the motor is to minimise fuel consumption, providing authoritative and dynamic performance in the process.

When more acceleration is required, the boost function pools the torque of both drive systems to maximise the car’s dynamic performance and lend it remarkable poise and assurance. Even when the battery charge is no longer sufficient to drive the car on electric power alone, the starter-generator releases an extra dose of electric energy to enhance acceleration using the electric rear axle.

When the combustion engine is engaged, the available electric energy is used to reduce fuel consumption and provide an electric “assist” function. The intelligent activation of the rear axle’s electric motor allows the engine to operate at a reduced load and therefore in a more efficient area of its operating range. That means fuel consumption is reduced, even on cross-country journeys or expressways when travelling at up to 125 km/h.

The high-voltage starter-generator takes on a multi-tasking role in the new BMW 225xe Active Tourer iPerformance. Integrated via a belt drive, it starts up the combustion engine and can provide a brief power boost when accelerating from a standstill with its peak torque of 150 Nm. It also serves as a generator under braking and on the overrun and uses brake energy recuperation to feed energy back into the 7.6 kWh (gross) lithium-ion battery. In addition, the combustion engine uses the integrated high-voltage starter-generator to charge the batteries during a journey, if required.

Electric driving modes plus Driving Experience Control switch.

Drivers of the new BMW 225xe Active Tourer iPerformance can choose from three distinct electric driving modes. The first driving mode, AUTO eDRIVE, is the hybrid drive system’s default setting when setting off and ensures the electric motor and BMW TwinTurbo combustion engine work to optimum effect, as the battery’s charge level permits. In this mode, the new BMW 225xe Active Tourer iPerformance can be driven at up to 80 km/h on electric power alone, and the electric energy summoned by the driver is displayed on the instrument cluster. When accelerating or at speeds above 80 km/h, the combustion engine is engaged automatically, without adversely affecting comfort. If the car’s speed drops back down below 80 km/h, the combustion engine is decoupled and switched off, and the car reverts to electric power only. The car can even continue to run on electric power under light acceleration up to 55 km/h if the battery’s charge drops below seven per cent. If its charge falls under three per cent, the combustion engine cuts in once again.

The second driving mode is MAX eDRIVE. At the touch of a button, the car can use the electric drive system’s maximum output to drive emission-free up to a speed of 125 km/h. The electric power can be metered out easily throughout the accelerator’s range without the combustion engine starting up (against the wishes of the driver). In this mode, the BMW TwinPower Turbo petrol engine only comes into play when the accelerator’s kickdown threshold is passed. Total system output can be summoned up virtually instantaneously, if required. The three-cylinder engine can also be activated by pushing the selector lever into “S”. Here, the drive system delivers maximum sports performance by making the full power of the electric motor and combustion engine combined (overboost included) available to the driver.

Activating the third driving mode, SAVE BATTERY, allows the driver to maintain the charge of the high-voltage battery to maximise the electric range for locally emission-free driving later on in the journey. If SAVE BATTERY mode is activated when the battery’s charge is below 50 per cent, the charge is automatically increased to a maximum 50 per cent. If the high-voltage battery is running at over 50 per cent charge when this mode is engaged, its level of charge is maintained.

Driving Experience Control switch allows the drive system’s responses to be adjusted even more precisely to personal tastes.

The three eDrive modes can be matched in any configuration with the settings offered by the Driving Experience Control switch familiar from other BMW models. The SPORT, COMFORT and ECO PRO driving experience modes cover all areas of the car, adjusting the accelerator’s responses, the shift characteristics of the Steptronic transmission and the steering alike.

When linking up with the eDrive modes, the ECO PRO, COMFORT and SPORT Driving Experience Control modes address all the hybrid functions – such as electric driving, energy recuperation, electric assist and the boost function – in order to optimise the driving experience.

Electrified xDrive system: agile and efficient.

The electrified xDrive system enabled by the new BMW 225xe Active Tourer iPerformance’s plug-in hybrid drive concept builds on the experience gained with the BMW i8 sports car. The electric motor and combustion engine only drive one axle each. But at speeds up to 125 km/h, they also allow the driver to call on electrified all-wheel drive. With the electrically driven rear axle added to the conventionally powered Active Tourer’s front-wheel drive, traction is increased and the new BMW 225xe Active Tourer iPerformance’s handling remains neutral for longer than the models with only front-wheel drive can claim. A further improvement in driving dynamics is the result. Moreover, the hybrid drive system removes the need for the driven axles to be connected by a drive shaft.

Battery can be charged easily at home or during a journey using BMW 360° ELECTRIC solutions.

As a plug-in hybrid, the new BMW 225xe Active Tourer iPerformance’s lithium-ion high-voltage battery can be replenished in just two hours and 15 minutes using a BMW i Wallbox Plus (charging power: 3.7 kW, can be installed at home or the workplace), so that the car’s maximum electric range is available when the driver is ready to set off.

Alternatively, the new BMW 225xe Active Tourer iPerformance can also be charged in three hours and 15 minutes from an industrial socket (IEC 60309-2) using the standard charging cable supplied. The charging solutions available from BMW 360° ELECTRIC allow the high-voltage battery for the new BMW 225xe Active Tourer iPerformance to be charged during the course of a journey.

If the battery is empty but a stationary charging option is not available, activating the eDrive button in SAVE BATTERY mode allows its charge to be brought up to at least 50 per cent while on the move.

Charging infrastructure in Singapore.

The Land Transport Authority (LTA) and Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB) recently launched an electric vehicle (EV) car-sharing programme that will see 1,000 EVs and 2,000 charging points being rolled out from 2017 till 2020. Up to 20 percent of the charging points will be available for public use. A different charging plug standard, known as “Type 2”, was also introduced this year. While it is not mandatory for existing vehicles and home chargers to switch from Type 1 to Type 2, in the longer term, it is anticipated that most vehicles and charging points in Singapore will follow the Type 2 standard.

BMW Asia is working with Greenlots to build up the charging infrastructure in Singapore. There are currently 60 public EV charging stations at 37 locations spread across the island. Drivers can locate the charging stations nearest to them within the ChargeNow network quickly and easily by making use of BMW ConnectedDrive Services in their vehicle’s navigation system for real-time status, pricing information and turn-by-turn directions. Powered by Greenlots, ChargeNow is a mobility service from BMW i and it is the largest public charging network in Singapore. BMW ConnectedDrive, the BMW ConnectedDrive app and the Greenlots app make locating and using charging stations run by partners an extremely fast and easy process, while the ChargeNow card allows convenient electronic billing and payment.

Keeping up to speed remotely with BMW ConnectedDrive.

BMW ConnectedDrive is all about the link-up of the driver, vehicle and outside world. In the new BMW 225xe Active Tourer iPerformance, the system enables access to the most important vehicle information at any time. Inside the car, the driver can call up data such as the charge level and journey distances covered on the display or pre-set a temperature for the passenger compartment. As well as the air conditioning system to cool the interior, a programmable auxiliary heating system is also on hand. Running these functions while the car is charging does not restrict its electric range.

These on-board functions can be managed either inside the car or remotely from a smartphone using the BMW Connected app. This allows the doors to be locked, for example, while the driver can also use it to check whether the windows are closed. In addition, destinations and points of interest can be sent to the navigation system and used for route guidance without further ado.

Proactive energy management.

A proactive energy management system has also been incorporated into the new BMW 225xe Active Tourer iPerformance via the navigation system. The system analyses the nature of the route entered into the route guidance function, including inclines and descents, speed limits and real-time traffic information, throughout the journey. The system uses this data and the individual driving style to guide the driver onto the route that will allow the hybrid drive system to be used to maximum efficiency. Recuperation phases are employed as effectively as possible, so that the car’s maximum electric range is available to the driver at his or her destination – e.g. in a city.

The new BMW 225xe Active Tourer iPerformance is now available for viewing at Performance Motors’ showroom.