More versatile and efficient than ever: market launch of the new BMW 225xe Active Tourer.

Munich. Recent advances in battery cell technology
for BMW plug-in hybrid models are extending the capabilities in terms
of locally emissions-free driving pleasure – both in the city and
beyond. The new battery generation in the BMW 225xe Active Tourer
increases the electrically powered range of the urban all-rounder by
more than 25 per cent to between 55 and 57 kilometres*. The efficiency
of its plug-in hybrid drive has also been further optimised. The new
BMW 225xe Active Tourer, which permanently distributes the power of
its combustion engine and electric motor to all four wheels via a
hybrid-specific all-wheel drive system as needed, now has an average
fuel consumption of 2.1 to 1.9 litres per 100 kilometres* – a
reduction of more than 15 per cent. This brings the relevant
CO2 figures down to between 47 and 42 grams per kilometre*,
with combined power consumption figures down to between 14.2 and 13.5
kWh per 100 kilometres*.

The significant increase in electric range is due to the enlarged
storage capacity of the lithium-ion battery in the new BMW 225xe
Active Tourer. While retaining the same dimensions as before, the
latest-generation high-voltage battery now has a gross energy content
that has been increased from 7.7 to 10.0 kWh. It can be charged at
conventional household sockets using the standard-equipment charging
cable. The battery can be fully charged in around five hours in this
way. Using a BMW i Wallbox, the relevant charging operation takes less
than 3:15 hours. The charging socket is located under a separate flap
on the front left side wall of the car. The high-voltage battery is
located under the rear seat to save space, so the versatility and
transport capabilities of the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer are only
slightly limited as compared to the conventionally powered model
variants. The luggage compartment volume in the new BMW 225xe Active
Tourer is not restricted by the hybrid drive in the primarily used
area and amounts to 400 litres. With a standard split of 40 : 20 : 40,
the folding backrests enable this to be increased to 1 350 litres as required.

The plug-in hybrid drive in the new BMW 225xe Active Tourer ensures
locally emissions-free driving in the city and beyond, in addition to
unlimited suitability for long-distance travel. It consists of a
1.5-litre 3-cylinder petrol engine with BMW TwinPower Turbo Technology
and 100 kW/136 hp, with the power transmitted to the front wheels via
a 6-speed Steptronic transmission, and also a 65 kW/88 hp electric
motor that drives the rear axle. The power of the two units adds up to
a system output of 165 kW/224 hp, with a maximum system torque of 385
Newton metres. The intelligently controlled interaction between the
two power units creates a hybrid-specific all-wheel drive system that
ensures optimised traction, driving stability and agility in the new
BMW 225xe Active Tourer – even in adverse weather and road conditions.
The rapid response of the system, the ideal axle load distribution and
the highly spontaneous power delivery of the electric motor acting on
the rear wheels enable power transmission to be ideally adapted to the
situation on the road at all times. This makes for a level of safety,
comfort and dynamics that is outstanding within the BMW 225xe Active
Tourer segment.

The hybrid model accelerates from standstill to 100 km/h in 6.7
seconds. In addition, the electric boost provided by the drive system
ensures additional safety reserves and intense sporty flair when
overtaking on country roads, for example. The top speed of the new BMW
225xe Active Tourer is 202 km/h. In purely electric driving mode, it
can reach speeds of up to 130 km/h.

The anticipatory energy management system for the drive system in the
new BMW 225xe Active Tourer ensures maximum efficiency and driving
pleasure by using navigation data to control the operating mode, for
example, ensuring the route profile is taken into account when
navigation guidance is activated. In addition, the driver is not only
able to activate the SPORT, COMFORT and ECO PRO driving experience
switch modes but also use the eDrive button on the centre console to
influence the interaction between the combustion engine and the
electric motor. In the AUTO eDRIVE standard setting, the system
ensures optimum interaction between the two power units in all
situations on the road. The MAX eDRIVE mode is available for purely
electric driving, while the SAVE BATTERY mode makes it possible to
maintain or increase the high-voltage battery’s charge level during
travel so to have battery capacity available for purely electrically
powered driving later on – in an urban area, for example.

With its long electrically powered range and low CO2
emissions, the new BMW 225xe Active Tourer qualifies for reduced
company car taxation in Germany, depending on fittings. Only half the
gross list price is used as a basis when calculating the monetary
benefit from private use of the company car.

The new BMW 225xe Active Tourer features acoustic pedestrian
protection as standard (expected to be available for the M Sport model
from November 2019). When driving electrically at speeds of up to 30
km/h, an unmistakeable sound designed specifically for electrified BMW
models is generated to alert other road users to the approaching car
without impairing the acoustic comfort of the vehicle occupants. The
model-specific range of standard equipment also includes 17-inch alloy
wheels, a navigation system, 2-zone automatic air conditioning and
auxiliary air conditioning. The interior can be pre-conditioned
remotely via BMW Connected using a smartphone. As an alternative to
the basic version, the new BMW 225xe Active Tourer is available as an
Advantage model, Sport Line model, Luxury Line model and M Sport
model. In addition, virtually all the optional extras offered for the
BMW 2 Series Active Tourer are likewise available for the hybrid model.

BMW plug-in hybrid models offer an array of benefits in
everyday use.

BMW’s plug-in hybrid drive systems already offer users a host of
additional benefits over traditional solutions:

  • Money-saving: Electric driving in urban areas is cheaper than
    using petrol or diesel if the plug-in hybrid vehicle is charged at
    home or at the workplace at low cost.
  • Interior always at the right temperature, even before you get in:
    auxiliary heating and auxiliary air conditioning are fitted as standard.
  • Braking is winning: The battery is charged under braking. In
    conventional vehicles, braking generates only heat and brake dust.
  • The best of both worlds: Plug-in hybrids provide electric driving
    pleasure in urban areas and classical BMW driving pleasure over
    longer distances.
  • Smoothing the way into the future: Because a plug-in hybrid can
    run emission-free, it is eligible to enter many low-emission zones,
    enjoys extra parking privileges and saves on toll charges.
  • Better quality of life in cities: By driving on electric power,
    users can actively contribute to reducing emissions and traffic
    noise in cities.

New BMW 225xe Active Tourer has a smaller overall
CO2 footprint.

The “real” environmental impact of plug-in hybrid vehicles has been
questioned on occasion, especially in markets where the proportion of
green energy used by the public energy grid remains small. The BMW
Group conducted a full-cycle CO2 certification for the new
BMW 225xe Active Tourer – from raw material procurement, the supply
chain, production and the use phase, all the way to recycling.

This revealed the CO2 footprint of the new BMW 225xe
Active Tourer to be 33 percent smaller than that of the BMW 225xi
Active Tourer and 24 percent than that of the BMW 220xd Active Tourer
when running on average European power in the use phase. When charging
the car with green energy, its CO2 footprint is reduced by
as much as 56 percent (225xi) and 50 percent (220xd).