BMW’s first of many iPerformance-branded automobiles made its world debut this week at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show. The first of its kind – the BMW 740Le iPerformance – sits proudly at the BMW stand among its 7 Series siblings.
In the future, all the plug-in hybrids from Munich will bear the BMW i logo on the front fenders, just like the M badge sits on M cars and M Sport Package-equipped vehicles. Other exterior features of the plug-in hybrids include the eDrive logo on the C-pillar, the blue elements on the kidney grille and around the BMW logo on the wheel hubs.
The BMW 740Le iPerformance offers a 2.0 liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, paired with an electric motor to power either the rear or all four wheels. The total power output of the engine and motor combine will be 326 hp and it will be able to return up to a combined 2.1 liters per 100 kilometers (112 mpg US). CO2 emissions will be around 43 grams per kilometer, so it will be exempt from many taxes in Europe.
The BMW 740Le iPerformance will just be the start. All plug-in hybrids will be branded with the iPerformance badge, which will represent the transfer of technology from the i Division to the BMW Core brand, much the same way the M Performance badge shows the transfer of tech from BMW M to BMW’s core brand.
