BMW said that the hybrid version of the 2012 BMW 3-Series will be displayed at the upcoming 2012 Detroit Auto Show together with the other models in the 3-Series range, the new M5 and the i EV concepts. The 3 Series had actually made its global debut last September at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show but it didn’t have the gas-electric version yet. In Detroit, the four-cylinder engines mark their return in 3-Series cars for the U.S.
BMW will also introduce the highest gas mileage ever to be seen in a 3-Series. It offers 36 mpg on the European test cycles.
The car delivers a 40-kw (55-hp) electric motor positioned between the ActiveHybrid 3's 300-hp twin-scroll turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine and the standard eight-speed auto box. In electric-only mode, it could accelerate to 37 mph and it is capable of cruising at 100 mph. The same engine is used but it’s still about 12.5% more efficient than the 335i. The ActiveHybrid 3 will start selling in the global market on Feb. 11.
