Offering an all-electric operation up to 75 km/h with a range of up to four km, it takes the hybrid 5.3s from zero to 100 km/h consuming a mere 5.9 Litres/ 100 km, and emitting 139g CO2/km in the EU test cycle.

The 306bhp six-cylinder in-line twin turbo in the BMW ActiveHybrid 3 is akin to the powertrain offered in the BMW 335i. The additional electric motor, develops an extra 55bhp and is supplied through a high-voltage lithium-ion battery integrated underneath the luggage area without compromising space.

Power is sent to the rear wheels through the eight-speed automatic transmission. The full-hybrid enables pure electric and emission-free driving with double-digit percentage improvements in fuel economy over its petroleum powered variants. Charging the high-performance battery takes place during cruising or regenerative braking, where the electric motor feeds energy into the battery while also aiding acceleration by generating an extra burst of power.

Moreover, while cruising at speeds of up to 160 km/h in ECO PRO mode, the combustion engine can be switched off to fully utilise the electric motors. The BMW ActiveHybrid 3 is also equipped with a start-stop function. The "ActiveHybrid 3" branding on the C-pillars and at the rear, along with the matt chrome exhaust pipes, set this model apart from others in the range. Optional 18-inch aerodynamic light-alloy wheels are also available.