Lately, BMW has been ramping up its efforts for developing efficient plug-in hybrid models, as it tries to rival its German counterparts Audi and Mercedes-Benz, and establish a more meaningful presence in the luxury plug-in vehicle market.
At the moment, BMW offers a couple of hybrid models, with the i8 being the most notable example. A couple of months ago, the company announced that it will add three new models to its hybrid lineup, and now it says that one of those models will be sold under a new sub-brand.
Creating a New Sub-Division
The automaker has announced that it is creating a new sub-division, called iPerformance, a designation that will be used for all future hybrid models built by BMW. Under this dedicated sub-brand, BMW will sell plug-in versions of existing gasoline-powered models, and the company says that the creation of the iPerformance designation is meant to reflect “transfer of technology from BMW i to the BMW core brand”.
“The iPerformance models will benefit from the transfer of technical expertise regarding electric motors, battery cells and electronic control systems,” says BMW in a press release.
Currently, there are two models that carry the “i” designation, the all-electric i3 and the hybrid i8. In the future, all cars developed by this sub-division will be distinguished by a BMW i logo on the front side panel, along with an eDrive logo on the C-pillar, and various blue elements in the kidney grille and on the wheels, the company states.
Plug-In Versions of the 7 Series
The first vehicle that will get the iPerformance logo is the 740e, which is set to have its world premiere at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show. The new 740e iPerformance is powered by a combination of a turbocharged 2.0-liter, 4-cylinder engine, delivering 258 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque, and an electric motor that contributes an additional 113 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. The hybrid drivetrain is paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission.
As far as performance is concerned, the 740e iPerformance is capable of going from 0 to 62 mph in 5.6 seconds, and it can travel up to 25 miles in electric mode only at speeds of up to 87 mph. When it comes to fuel economy, it is rated at 112 mpg combined, which makes the 740e iPerformance much more efficient than the Toyota Prius, the world’s most popular hybrid vehicle.
The 740e iPerformance sedan is scheduled to go on sale later this year, with models like the 2 Series Active Tourer 225xe, the BMW 330e, and the X5 xDrive40e, expected to get an iPerformance version soon thereafter.