BMW 330e performance, top speed & engine
Keen drivers will be right at home in the BMW 330e, especially when they put it into Sport mode for extra power
| Model | 0-62mph | Top speed | Driven wheels | Power |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 330e | 5.8s | 143mph | Rear | 249bhp (288bhp with XtraBoost) |
| 330e xDrive | 5.8s | 143mph | Four | 249bhp (288bhp with XtraBoost) |
BMW has made the transition to hybrid and electric cars with its reputation for building the "ultimate driving machine" intact. Both the electric i3 and plug-in hybrid i8 are superb to drive, and the same can be said for the plug-in hybrid executive saloons like the 530e and this 330e.
BMW 330e 0-62mph, top speed and acceleration
A swift 5.8-second 0-62mph time and 143mph top speed are the bare performance figures for the 330e. For maximum performance, switching to Sport mode gives you access to something called 'XtraBoost', which temporarily increases the available power from 249 to 288bhp. This useful for completing an overtake swiftly and safely, or getting up to speed faster on a motorway onramp.
Handling
Like all BMWs, the 330e's driving experience is more about how it feels from behind the wheel than just the raw numbers. Especially with 'XtraBoost' turned on, it responds instantly to any prod of the accelerator, with the electric motor working well to fill in any gaps in power delivery from the petrol engine. Our one criticism is that the noise from the four-cylinder engine isn't great when you're 'pushing on' and the augmented artificial sound sent through the car's speakers isn't much better.
On the plus side, the 330e doesn't feel like it weighs 200kg more than a petrol or diesel 3 Series – the extra bulk is well disguised and it's as sweet-handling as we've come to expect from this model over the years. As standard, the 330e comes with special low-resistance tyres to further boost efficiency. They do this job well, but in the process offer a fraction less grip than the typical sports tyres fitted to executive-saloon models.
