It still has way to much of an engine but its hybrid drivetrain appears to be a thing of beauty.
Wayne Gerdes -
CleanMPG - July 6, 2012
The All-New 2013 BMW ActiveHybrid 3 - $50,195 including destination and handling to start and an EPA yet to be disclosed.
Can a company known for producing Ultimate Driving Machines actually transform into an efficient hybrid vehicle builder while still providing its customers with their almost patented idea of what a car should be today and what it can be tomorrow? BMW appears to be traveling that path and oh what a journey this is going to be
The all-new BMW ActiveHybrid 3 mates their latest hybrid technology to the sport sedan for a new take on what some will be driving later this fall.
Propelled by an over the top Twin-scroll Turbo equipped 3.0L with direct injection and VALVETRONIC I6 and an 8-speed Steptronic AT with a clutched electric motor powered by a Li-Ion pack, the combination combines for brutal 335 HP and 332 lb-ft of torque. In addition the ActiveHybrid 3 can powered up to 45 mph for distances up to 2.5 miles without the ICE spinning and more importantly, can drive at essentially any speed (BMW says 100 mph) with the ICE shut down and disconnected in a true glide mode. Is it not about time
The Electrics
The BMW ActiveHybrid 3’s synchronous electric motor develops a maximum output of 55 HP. As well as supporting all-electric operation, it can also provide a performance-boost function for more powerful acceleration thanks to its 155 lb-ft available from a standing start.
The electric motor is completely integrated into the eight-speed automatic transmission housing and is connected to the transmission by a clutch. Its operating temperature is controlled by the cooling system of the internal combustion engine.
With its eight speeds, it combines a wide gear range with close ratio spacing. It also allows more use to be made of top gear, for a fuel-efficient, low-rpm driving routine at speed. Now where have we heard that before
The battery cooling system is integrated into the air conditioning cooling circuit. The battery comprises 96 cells and has an effective energy capacity of 675 Wh. the load capacity of the BMW ActiveHybrid 3 is reduced only marginally compared with other BMW 3 Series Sedan models as the battery is encased in a special housing below the load floor surface.
In addition to its conventional 14V electrical system, the BMW ActiveHybrid 3 is also equipped with a 317V electrical system, The electric motor and A/C compressor are powered exclusively by the Li-Ion pack allowing a comfortable interior even when the ICE is shut down in a glide or at a stop.
The Long Glide…
The specially designed auto start-stop function ensures that comfort is not affected even when the vehicle is stopped in traffic because the automatic climate control and the on-board electrical system are powered by the Li-Ion battery. Once the brake is released, the vehicle will begin moving forward on either the electric motor alone or the electric motor and the engine combined depending on the packs SoC and driver demand.
The BMW exclusive ECO PRO mode supports a particularly fuel-efficient driving style in the BMW ActiveHybrid 3 and makes more frequent use of all-electric mode. ECO PRO mode modifies the characteristics of the powertrain, including the transmission, while the electrically powered convenience functions are programmed for optimal energy efficiency.
Coasting mode, a new development for the BMW ActiveHybrid models, boosts efficiency by shutting the internal combustion engine down not only when the vehicle is stationary, or when driving in town.
Coasting or "Glide" mode shuts down the engine and disconnects it from the driveshaft. From this point, the BMW ActiveHybrid 3 coasts with no engine braking effect. The efficiency improvements are improved further by reduced rolling resistance tires.
In ECO PRO mode, the coasting function is available at any speed up to 100 mph while in Comfort mode it operates between 37 and 50 mph when the brakes are applied lightly. In Sport and Sport+ mode the coasting function is not available.
When the combustion engine is shut down at a standstill, as well as during all-electric operation and in coasting mode, the electrically powered stationary climate control continues to maintain the interior climate to meet the needs of driver and passengers alike. The stationary climate control can also be used to cool the interior before getting into the vehicle via remote.
Like all hybrids, a steep descent will allow the electric motor regenerate the high-voltage battery with no loss of speed but BMW goes one step further., They regulate the amount of regen so the driver does not have to interact with the system to control it. The operating strategy can also be managed so as to achieve, as far as possible, optimal charging of the high-voltage battery when nearing the end of the journey, thereby increasing the electric driving range on the “last lap”.
A model-specific menu in the iDrive operating system provides a variety of information including the Li-Ion high-voltage battery’s charge level and the power sharing between the internal combustion engine and the electric motor in the course of a journey. A fuel consumption history can also be displayed, which not only shows fuel consumption history for the previous 15 minutes and the extent to which the electric motor of the BMW ActiveHybrid 3 has been used.
A BMW with all of this? Wow
Safety
The new 3 Series was recently awarded a “Top Safety Pick” by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety for its passenger protection. More importantly, the 2012 BMW 328i has earned a 5-star crash test rating by the NHTSA, the toughest crash test regimen in the world.
Standard safety features on the BMW ActiveHybrid include front, side and side curtain airbags, three-point inertia-reel belts on all seats, front seat belt force limiters, belt latch tensioners and active head restraints, as well as ISOFIX child seat attachments in the rear.
All elements of the high-voltage electrical system are protected by extensive insulation and specially designed connectors and disconnects in the case of a disabling collision.
We’ll delve a lot deeper into the all-new 2013 BMW ActiveHybrid 3 hopefully when they become available in the Chicago press fleet at approximately the same time they reach US based BMW dealers sometime later this fall…
Or the 2.0L Super Diesel from Europe 
Linear Mode
