The new BMW 225xe.

BMW is adding a plug-in hybrid variant with all-wheel drive to the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer model range. The BMW 225xe – a BMW 2 Series Active Tourer variant with eDrive – delivers a combination of sporting ability, economy and everyday practicality unique in its segment. It allows locally emission-free driving without compromising on the driving pleasure you’d expect from BMW, and combines an electric driving experience and high operating range with functional excellence and everyday practicality. The BMW 225xe offers both a higher system output and more boot capacity than its competitors.

With its plug-in hybrid drive system, the BMW 225xe combines BMW EfficientDynamics with comfort, driving pleasure and all-wheel drive, and brings versatility and generous levels of space together in a compact vehicle. The BMW 225xe uses its combination of BMW eDrive and a 1.5-litre three-cylinder BMW TwinPower Turbo engine to offer both an electric driving experience and unrestricted mobility. Its combined fuel consumption of 2.1–2.0 litres* per 100 kilometres / 134.5–141.2 mpg imp (CO2 emissions are just 49–46 grams* per kilometre) sets the benchmark in its class.

The BMW 225xe’s plug-in hybrid technology enables locally emission-free driving but also allows owners to cover long distances when required. It is therefore perfectly suited for use in urban areas and for family leisure activities. Like all variants of the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer, the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer with eDrive also impresses with its generously-sized interior, practical details and ergonomic ease of use. Since the lithium-ion battery is arranged in a space-saving position under the rear seat bench and the electric drive system is fully accommodated under the load compartment floor, the boot’s capacity can be used virtually without restriction.

Electric, efficient and dynamically accomplished.
The driving experience is an equally important element of BMW’s family and leisure cars as everyday practicality. However, the BMW 225xe takes enjoyment at the wheel to a whole new level again. The BMW eDrive technologies developed under the banner of BMW EfficientDynamics and a BMW TwinPower Turbo petrol engine team up to create an efficient and dynamically accomplished hybrid drive system which makes the perfect match for a BMW brand model: dynamically adept, locally emission-free thanks to the electric drive and efficient over long distances. The electric drive system at the rear axle joins forces with the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer’s regular front-wheel-drive configuration to form what we call “electrified xDrive”. The result is outstanding traction even in adverse weather conditions.

The rear-mounted 65 kW/88 hp electric motor drives the rear wheels and allows an electric range of up to 41 kilometres (25 miles). This makes it the obvious emission-free drive option for short distances, urban traffic and, with a top speed of 125 km/h (78 mph) on electric power alone, cross-country routes and even motorways.

Front-wheel drive, rear-wheel drive or electrified xDrive.
The high-revving three-cylinder petrol engine with BMW TwinPower Turbo technology and an output of 100 kW/136 hp is standing by for longer journeys and when higher speeds are the order of the day. The combustion engine sends its power to the front wheels via a six-speed Steptronic transmission and represents a compelling proposition with its smooth running and 220 Newton metres (162 lb-ft) of torque available up to the 202 km/h (126 mph) top speed.

Under heavy acceleration from rest and for overtaking manoeuvres, the power from the two drive systems combines to give a system output of 165 kW/224 hp and peak torque of up to 385 Newton metres (284 lb-ft). All of which enables acceleration from 0–100 km/h (62 mph) in 6.7 seconds.

As with the BMW i8, the hybrid drive system in the BMW 225xe creates an “electrified xDrive” system. When the driver accelerates, the combustion engine is activated by the high-voltage starter-generator almost imperceptibly and with no interruption in the flow of power.

In addition to the Driving Experience Control switch – with its SPORT, COMFORT and ECO PRO settings – familiar from other BMW models, the eDrive button in the centre console offers three driving modes: AUTO eDRIVE, MAX eDRIVE and SAVE BATTERY. AUTO eDRIVE is the basic setting activated when the car is started. It ensures the combustion engine and electric motor work together to optimum effect in all driving situations and gives a pure-electric top speed of 80 km/h (50 mph). MAX eDRIVE allows the car to run on the electric drive system alone up to a speed of 125 km/h (78 mph). With SAVE BATTERY, the charge of the high-voltage battery can be maintained or, if it’s already depleted, raised to over 50 per cent during a journey – so that the available electric range can be used later in urban areas, for example. BMW ConnectedDrive is also on hand to help lower fuel consumption. In the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer with eDrive, the ConnectedDrive package adds the proactive energy management function to the mix, which responds to the driving style and route profile to ensure the plug-in hybrid drive system is used as efficiently as possible.

As a plug-in hybrid, the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer with eDrive can charge its lithium-ion high-voltage battery (gross capacity: 7.6 kWh) either by means of brake energy recuperation during a journey or when plugged into a domestic power socket (in three hours 15 minutes from empty) or the optional BMW i Wallbox (two hours 15 minutes from empty). The energy content for customers’ use comes hereby to 5.8 kWh.

The electric drive components, including the high-voltage battery and electric motor, are produced at BMW Plant Dingolfing; series production of the BMW 225xe will begin in late 2015 at Plant Leipzig. Prices in Germany start at €38.700.

*Provisional figures. Fuel consumption figures based on the EU test cycle for plug-in hybrid vehicles, may vary depending on the tyre format specified.

Further information on official fuel consumption figures, specific CO2 emission values and the electric power consumption of new passenger cars is included in the following guideline: “Leitfaden über Kraftstoffverbrauch, die CO2-Emissionen und den Stromverbrauch neuer Personenkraftwagen” (Guideline for fuel consumption, CO2 emissions and electric power consumption of new passenger cars), which can be obtained from all dealerships, from Deutsche Automobil Treuhand GmbH (DAT), Hellmuth-Hirth-Str. 1, 73760 Ostfildern-Scharnhausen and at http://www.dat.de/en/offers/publications/guideline-for-fuel-consumption.html. Leitfaden CO2 (Guideline CO2) (PDF ‒ 2.7 MB).