There have been 51 model changes overnight as BMW 48-volt mild-hybrid tech comes in for all four- and six-cylinder models.
BMW have had a busy May end. As many as 51 new models were updated and introduced, including the new 2021 BMW 5 Series, the new 6 Series Gran Turismo – as an extension of the 5’s persona and the only 6 in existence, and the new X2 xDrive25e plug-in hybrid, apart from the Mini Countryman, elsewhere within the Group.
The big news is the electrification of all four- and six-cylinder powertrains, whether petrol and diesel, with a BMW 48-volt mild-hybrid system. This means all cars now include a dedicated but compact 48V battery pack, a DC-DC converter, and an 8.0-kW (11-hp) integrated starter/generator (ISG) that enables brake energy regeneration with recuperation display, auto start/stop, Eco Pro and Comfort modes with coasting function, and Proactive Driving Assistant among other features.
The inclusion sees a weight penalty of around 15 kg, but that is offset by the improved efficiency figures brought on by the electric assist provided during critical fuel-consuming phases – start off from standstill, overtaking acceleration and high-speed coasting.
That apart, following the updates to the “40d” engines – with 340 hp and 700 Nm from the 3.0-litre straight-six turbo-diesel motor and the inclusion of the 48V mild-hybrid system, the “30d” turbo-diesel also moved up to 286 hp and 650 Nm – up 21 hp and 30 Nm – with wider rev-bands, and the addition of the 48V mild-hybrid system. The new 30d is now available in the new 5 Series, 7 Series, X3, X4, X5, X6 and X7.
The new X2 xDrive25e is the latest plug-in hybrid sports activity coupé (SAC). It has a 1.5-litre three-cylinder turbo-petrol engine, with 125 hp and 220 Nm, driving the front wheels through a six-speed Steptronic automatic transmission automatic. At the rear sits a 70-kW motor, capable of 95 hp and 165 Nm, driving the rear wheels via a separate automatic transmission – a set-up earlier seen in the BMW 225xe Active Tourer iPerformance model. The combined output is 220 hp and 385 Nm – significant for a compact vehicle. A 10-kWh battery pack with 8.8-kWh usable powers the rear motor. The BMW X2 xDrive25e will get from zero to 100 km/h in 6.8 seconds and get up to 135 km/h on electric power alone, or 195 km/h in hybrid mode. Fuel efficiency goes up to a high of 58.8 km/l with CO2 emissions as low as 38 g/km, all on the WLTP cycle.
Furthermore, in the plug-in hybrid models, the new BMW eDrive Zone function will ensure an automatic switch to purely electric operating mode when entering inner city areas such as low emission zones, linked to the navigation system. The latest generation of the display and control system with BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant is also now available for the 3 Series. The Driving Assistant Professional gets new functions. And, finally, Integral Active Steering for the 7 Series and 8 Series models has been further optimized. There will also be two new models for the incoming BMW 2 Series Gran Coupé will be introduced in July.
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