BMW adds a sporty yet eco-friendly PHEV option to the local 3-series lineup.
Following on from the success of the prior generation’s PHEV 3-series, BMW aims to continue this momentum today with the current G20 iteration of its compact premium sedan by announcing the launch of the 330e M Sport today.
Those currently in possession of the older F30 generation BMW 330e however may be familiar with what is under the hood of this newest BMW offering, as the piston-engine is still the same 181 hp 2.0 litre turbocharged four-cylinder BMW TwinPower Turbo unit that is mated to an 8-speed Steptronic Sport automatic transmission.
What is new though is a more powerful 109 hp electric motor, up from 87 hp of the prior model. Thus, maximum combined power output of this PHEV powertrain is a healthy 292 hp, with a peak torque figure of 420 Nm. Performance figures of this 1,740 kg hybrid sedan meanwhile are an impressive century sprint time of 0-100 km/h time of 5.9 seconds, with a top speed of 230 km/h.
To those who require a little bit more oomph, the 330 M Sport also features an Xtra Boost function. A feature for which BMW claims to ‘provide a more intense acceleration experience’, it essentially spools up both the electric and petrol powertrains to provide maximum power output for a short yet intense burst of acceleration. This feature can be activated by either setting the Driving Experience Control switch into SPORT mode, or kicking down after selecting M or S mode on the gear lever.
Moving on to the topic of fuel efficiency and the environment, the 330e M Sport touts a claimed 2.2 litres per 100 km fuel efficiency figure. To those who care about those things, it also emits a paltry 50 g of CO2 per km travelled. These figures are mainly attributed to the larger 12.0 kWh lithium-ion battery pack. Part of the Bavarian marque’s latest eDrive technology, this new electric drive unit is good for a claimed 60 km of pure EV range, in addition to an EV drive top speed of 140 km/h.
Aside from the powertrain difference, the rest of the 330e M Sport is much the same as the rest of the BMW lineup. As it does bear the M sport name though, naturally there are some sporty touches in this plug-in hybrid sedan. From the outside, the M Aerodynamics aesthetics package is standard, as are the M sport adaptive suspension and M sport brakes hidden behind the 790 M Bicolour double-spoke alloy wheels.
Stepping inside, an M leather steering wheel contrasts nicely with the silver ‘Aluminium Tetragon’ interior trim. The 10-speaker HiFi sound system with 205W amplifier power will please the audiophile buyers, while the NFC-enabled BMW digital key is a nice gimmick to have.
Continuing on the technology front, the standard BMW 12.3 inch digital instrument cluster is complemented by the same 10.25 inch central infotainment touchscreen featured on the 330i. Being usual BMW too, Apple CarPlay integration is of course is on a subscription basis. Thankfully however, the Driving Assistant Professional and Parking Assistant driver assist suite is standard.
Costing RM 264,613.13 (with sales tax exemption), this locally assembled 330e M Sport slots neatly between the petrol-powered 320i and 330i M Sport variants in the local 3-series lineup. Available for booking with a deposit of only RM1,000 at authorised BMW dealerships nationwide starting from the 24th of October, customers who purchase this sporty PHEV will be entitled to a very appealing 8-year or 160,000 km extended hybrid battery warranty.
PRESS RELEASE: BMW Malaysia today introduced the New BMW 330e M Sport to the line-up of locally assembled premium vehicles, to deliver a sportier and more efficient driving experience. The best of both worlds can be experienced as the new electrified sedan combines electrifying power with BMW’s Sheer Driving Pleasure.
“As a pioneer in the field of electromobility, our success story for the electrified sports sedan in Malaysia began in 2016. We have delivered over 6,200 units nationwide since then. Today, we are pleased to present the locally assembled, newest generation BMW 3 Series equipped with the latest BMW eDrive technology. This variant further underlines our commitment towards accelerating the uptake of electromobility in Malaysia, in line with the government’s plans for greener mobility nationwide,” said Harald Hoelzl, Managing Director of BMW Group Malaysia.
The New BMW 330e M Sport exudes both innovative power and modern sportiness, as the powerful four-cylinder engine with BMW TwinPower Turbo technology works in synchrony with the latest-generation BMW eDrive technology to perfectly capture the hallmark BMW 3 Series Sheer Driving Pleasure. For the first time ever, the XtraBoost feature – built to provide a more intense acceleration experience, makes its debut in the BMW 3 Series portfolio as well.
To further enhance the electric driving pleasure, advancements in connectivity and driver assistance systems within the vehicle are crafted to best suit the modern-day driver. The M Sport package also lends a particularly bold exterior appearance to the new electrified sedan – one that fully complements the sporty interior design language as well.
When electrifying power meets thrilling sportiness.
The New BMW 330e M Sport arrives with a new sporty exterior design language that is enhanced by the adaptive LED headlights with extended content, along with slim 3D L-shaped LED taillights in the rear. The 18-inch M light alloy wheels in double-spoke style 790 M Bicolour with mixed tyres lend a muscular appearance to the electrified sports sedan.
The New BMW 330e M Sport is powered by an efficient 2-litre 4-cylinder petrol engine with BMW TwinPower Turbo and XtraBoost technology, that allows the vehicle to record a combined maximum output of 292hp and a peak torque of 420Nm – while consuming a low 2.2 litres of fuel per 100km of travel and emitting only 50g of carbon emissions per kilometre of travel. The New BMW 330e M Sport can also make the century sprint in 5.9 seconds, and records a top speed of 230km/h.
Designed to provide an increase in system output to 292hp and in turn, offer a much more intense acceleration experience, the XtraBoost feature can be activated by means of the Driving Experience Control switch in SPORT mode. The XtraBoost is also available during kickdown manoeuvres and after shifting the gear selector switch to the M or S position.
Equipped with the 8-Speed Steptronic Sport transmission, the New BMW 330e M Sport is complete with M Sport brakes and adaptive M Sport suspension, along with variable sports steering for sportier handling. The M Aerodynamics package is also available to the new variant as standard.
The interior of the New BMW 330e M Sport features sleek Aluminium Tetragon interior trim finishers along with the BMW Individual headliner anthracite. The driver’s cockpit is equipped with the sporty M leather steering wheel and three-zone automatic air-conditioning, along with the BMW Live Cockpit Professional – which features a digital instrument cluster with 12.3-inch display and a 10.25-inch touchscreen control display unit. Running on the BMW Operating System 7, the New BMW 330e M Sport is also equipped with BMW ConnectedDrive services as standard.
The new variant is also equipped with a 10-speaker HiFi Loudspeaker system with 205W amplifier power for maximum entertainment. The Apple CarPlay feature is also available upon subscription. Further complementing this future-forward sedan is the BMW Digital Key, available as standard to the New BMW 330e M Sport to ensure next-level vehicle security and management for added convenience.
Driving assistance is offered to the BMW 330e M Sport via the Driving Assistant Professional with steering and lane guidance assistant, as well as the Parking Assistant featuring the reverse assistant. The reverse assistant records the last 50 meters of travel below 35 km/h for a better experience when reversing through narrow streets. A rear-view camera is also equipped as standard.
The New BMW 330e M Sport is available in Alpine White, Black Sapphire, Portimao Blue, Mineral Grey, and Sunset Orange. These can be complemented by either Black or Cognac Leather Vernasca upholstery with decor stitching in Black.
The New BMW 330e M Sport also entitles owners to a limited-time offer on the extended hybrid battery warranty of up to 8 years or 160,000 km, whichever comes first. The offer is valid for purchases of the New BMW 330e M Sport from now until 31st December 2020.
The New BMW 330e M Sport will be available at all authorised BMW dealerships nationwide starting 24th October 2020. Alternatively, customers can book the New BMW 330e M Sport on https://shop.bmw.com.my/ at RM1,000.
Dynamic financial programme.
With the Balloon Financing Plan from BMW Group Financial Services Malaysia, the New BMW 330e M Sport can be owned with a monthly instalment plan starting from RM 2,938.00 (based on estimates of an 80% loan on a five-year tenure).
Complete premium ownership experience.
Owners of the New BMW 330e M Sport will receive the complete BMW Group Malaysia Premium Ownership experience which includes:
- BMW 5-Year Unlimited Mileage Warranty with Free Scheduled Service Programme
- BMW Roadside Assistance and Accident Hotline
- The BMW Group Loyalty+ Mobile App – BMW Privileges Card
- BMW Service Online
The retail price (on the road, without insurance) with Sales Tax Exemption for the New BMW 330e M Sport is RM 264,613.13.
