ROAD TEST
BMW 330e: Fuel-hardy or solid sipper?
Lerato Matebese decides whether the BMW 330e justifies the added capital outlay over its donor car, the 320i
The electric car revolution is coming, but whether SA is ready to embrace it or not is another matter. Various car makers, including the BMW Group, revealed new electrified models at the Frankfurt Motor Show. The German car maker says it expects electrified vehicles to account for between 15% and 25% of its total sales by 2025. We filled both cars to the brim — the 330e meant topping up the battery’s charge as well, which takes about three-and-a-half hours on a 220V power socket. We reset our trip and fuel meters and set off on a 47km urban drive which included stop-and-go traffic, ascents and descents and some open-road driving. To keep things as realistic as possible, we kept at the speed limits along the route. The 320i is decked out in M Sport Package trim, which means a slightly harder ride quality, which was quite notable on bumpy Johannesburg roads. It was even more prudent once we swapped into the 330e, which comes in this instance in a more compliant Modern Line trim, which...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.