Plug-in hybrid eDrive technology was originally designed by BMW for the pair of i3 and i8. These two pioneers have proven themselves for the German manufacturer, which is why the combination of gasoline and electric engine gradually spread to more mainstream models. The X5 xDrive40e was followed by the 330e sedan and the 740e sedan . So far, the last "car in the socket" with a blue and white propeller is the compact MPV 225xe , based on the Active Tourer model, whose premiere will take place in less than two weeks.
The electric motor , together with the two-speed gearbox and control electronics, is located above the rear axle, sending 88 hp and 165 Nm to the rear wheels. Under the rear seats, which are 30 mm higher than usual, a lithium-ion battery with a capacity of 7.7 kWh is located. For the first time in a BMW plug-in hybrid, the classic internal combustion engine is mounted transversely at the front , in addition, it is a supercharged 1.5 TwinPower Turbo three-cylinder gasoline engine with an output of 136 hp and a torque of 220 Nm, the power of which is transmitted to the front wheels by a Steptronic automatic transmission. An additional high-voltage starter-generator is also located on the front axle. It fulfills four different tasks – during start-up it supplies the internal combustion engine with an extra power of up to 21 hp and approximately 150 Nm, while driving it generates electrical energy (which is directed directly to the battery), during driving it connects the internal combustion engine to the electric one and thanks to its higher output compared to classic starters enable smoother starting and stopping of the engine.
Using both engines at the same time results in the same all-wheel drive system as the i8 sports coupe, including cooperation with the DSC stabilization system, with a maximum output of 224 hp and 385 Nm of torque. BMW says that in combined operation, the MPV will reach 100 km/h in 6.7 seconds and can hit speeds of up to 202 km/h, with combined consumption of just 2.0-2.1 L/100 km . The purely electric range is 41 kilometers, but the maximum speed must not exceed 125 km/h. Similar to the brand's other plug-in hybrids, the eDrive selector with Auto eDrive modes (only the electric motor works up to 80 km/h, after exceeding this value both engines work together), Max eDrive (the Active Tourer runs purely on electricity) and Save Battery (conserving energy or recharging batteries through recuperation). From the classic versions of the MPV comes the second Experience Control driving mode selector, which works in combination with all the above-mentioned modes in Comfort, Sport and Eco Pro modes.
The lithium-ion battery can be recharged in two hours and 15 minutes using the BMW i Wallbox charger (charging power: 3.7 kW). Alternatively, the 225xe can be charged in three hours and 15 minutes from a standard household socket using the standard supplied charging cable. The BMW 360° Electric charging service allows the high-voltage battery to be charged even on the go. ChargeNow opens access to the largest set of public charging stations in the world (more than 30,000 charging points in 22 countries), the ConnectedDrive application locates these points.
The base price in Germany was set at 37,800 euros (approx. 1,022,000 crowns).
Source: BMW
