Nam Hyun-woo has worked as a staff writer at The Korea Times since 2013, mostly covering business and politics. He currently belongs to the Business Desk where he covers topics such as emerging tech, AI, ICT and Korea's chaebol community. Prior to joining the team, he was the paper's correspondent for the presidential office of Korea during the Yoon Suk Yeol and Moon Jae-in administrations.
BMW X3 plugin hybrid hits sales stride in Korea
The new BMW X3 xDrive30e plugin hybrid electric vehicle / Courtesy of BMW Korea
By Nam Hyun-woo
By Nam Hyun-woo
BMW's new plugin hybrid SUV, the X3 xDrive30e, is hitting its sales stride after its debut in the Korean market last month, as its efficiency and sturdiness appeal to domestic customers, BMW Korea said Tuesday.
According to the German brand, the X3 xDrive30e is the first plugin hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) of its X3 compact SUV series. The vehicle is powered by a strong gasoline engine and high-voltage lithium battery enabling drivers to capitalize on fuel efficiency and enjoy exciting driving at the same time.
With a 12-kilowatt-hour energy content, the X3 xDrive30e can run a maximum 31 kilometers and accelerate up to 135 kilometers per hour in pure electric mode. By using conventional household sockets, it takes six hours to fully charge and the same can be completed in three and a half hours with a BMW i Wallbox charger.
The motor can be used either for purely electric mobility or to support the combustion engine. The combination of BMW's intelligent xDrive four-wheel drive system and eDrive electric drive train showcases optimal power distribution depending on road conditions, enabling dynamic driving performance in either on-road or off-road situations, the company said.
The new X3 xDrive30e is based on the combination of its gasoline engine and electric motor. The four-cylinder 2.0-liter turbo engine alone creates 184 horsepower and the motor integrated into the 8-speed Steptronic transmission generates an output of 109 horsepower. Together, the vehicle can yield maximum 292 horsepower and accelerate from zero to 100 kilometers per hour in 6.1 seconds. Its top speed is 210 kilometers per hour.
Since it is a PHEV, it can cruise long distance with less concern for recharging the battery and carbon emissions. The X3 xDrive30e has a 13.6 kilometer per liter fuel economy and 72g per kilometer CO2 emission, which are the lowest among X3 vehicles. This allows the driver to save costs for congestion fees and take advantage of discounts at public parking lots.
The lithium-ion battery of the new BMW X3 xDrive30e is located in a space-saving position underneath the rear seat, while the fuel tank is positioned above the rear axle. This allows the vehicle to have the largest luggage compartment volume among all BMW PHEVs, BMW Korea said.
The new BMW X3 xDrive30e plugin hybrid electric vehicle / Courtesy of BMW Korea
The new X3 xDrive30e comes in model variants of xLine and M Sport Package. The xLine is priced at 73.5 million won and the M Sport Package is at 76.5 million won.
With the PHEV model joining the fleet, BMW Korea said it currently offers seven model variants for the new X3 series, providing better choices for customers.
BMW Korea is bouncing back from its sales slump in 2018, as new models earn favor with domestic customers. In the first quarter of this year, the brand sold 11,331 vehicles, up 40.5 percent from a year earlier. The company also turned an operating profit of 81.7 billion won last year, recovering from a 447.3 billion won operating loss in 2018.