Fleet World Fleet: BMW 330e M Sport xDrive Touring
Our BMW plug-in hybrid estate gets tested on the family staycation. Martyn Collins reports.
The 330e completed the 288-mile run to Cornwall with plenty of range left to spare
P11d (BiK): £44,265 (11%) MPG/CO2: 156mpg/176g/km Test MPG: 30mpg
300 miles. That’s the combined electric and petrol range I had, as I left home bleary-eyed at 4am. The destination? Cornwall for our family holiday, which according to the BMW’s excellent sat-nav, was 288 miles away – so could I get away without refuelling?
First thing to make a strong impression were the 330e’s Laser Lights, which are not only powerful but follow the steering line, giving me more confidence on poorly-lit roads. More surprises on the trip revolved around the ride, on the M Sport Adaptive suspension. So far, I’d found it a bit on the stiff side, but it proved impressively comfortable on this long drive. Maybe it was the extra weight of the fully loaded 495-litre boot?
On the road, performance remained sharp, yet this BMW didn’t munch through all its electric power and I was pleasantly surprised when in fact we arrived with 88 miles of combined range remaining.
Martyn Collins
Martyn has 18 years experience as a motoring journalist, working across a wide selection of B2B and consumer titles. A car enthusiast since his early years, Martyn has a particular interest in the latest models and technology and in his spare time enjoys driving his own Minis.
