Perfect for those who wishes that their BMW 3-Series was just a little bit more roomy behind.
While automaker’s stretching their cars certainly isn’t a new phenomenon, typically such news is reserved for either its flagship limousines (and now SUVs) or done so exclusively for the Chinese market. BMW however must believe that this wheelbase extending concept however is to be appreciated further down the range, and further out of China too, as it has recently launched 330 Li M Sport over here in Malaysia.
First arriving in India early this year, Malaysia will be the second country in the world to receive this stretched variant of the 3-Series. As for how much this particular BMW is stretched by, its wheelbase has been increased by a not-insignificant 110 mm for the benefit of added interior volume with 42 mm more rear legroom and an extra 10 litres of boot space.
Its wheelbase however isn’t the only thing that has grown during its stretching process, as the 330 Li variant also gains a marginal increase of 6 mm in height over the standard car owning to a slightly redesigned roof profile. Other than those increases in dimensions though, this long wheelbase 3-er is nearly identical in every other way to its shorter sibling.
Starting with the exterior, BMW Individual high-gloss Shadow Line, M Aerodynamics as well as M Sport packages come as standard with this extended wheelbase 3-Series. Adaptive LED headlights up front, 18-inch double-spoke style 848 M bi-colour alloy wheels down the side and twin trapezoidal tail pipes round the rear are also featured on the 330 Li.
Moving inside the cabin meanwhile, the 330 Li is fitted the BMW Live Cockpit Professional system consisting of a 12.3-inch fully digital instrument cluster and a 10.25-inch central infotainment display. Other notable luxury highlights within the brown cabin of this stretched sedan are velour carpets, electrically adjustable front seats, three-zone automatic climate control, a panoramic glass sunroof and interior ambient lighting with 11 predefined settings.
An M leather steering wheel and M-specific pedals make an appearance too within the 330 Li, a hint to the 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder that lies under the hood that makes 258 hp and 400 Nm of torque. Essentially the same engine as the one found in the un-stretched 330i and mated to the same eight-speed Steptronic Sport automatic transmission, 0-100 km/h for this slightly longer sedan is slightly slower than its shorter sibling by 0.4 seconds at 6.2 seconds, though it does still manages to achieve the same 250 km/h top speed.
As for the safety aspect of this lengthened saloon, the 330 Li brings with it lane departure warning, lane change warning, front collision warning, cross traffic warning and rear collision prevention. Cruise control with braking function, Parking Assistant with rear view mirror, and the BMW Active Pedestrian Safety system are also standard, as is the Intelligent Emergency Call functionality.
Available in either Mineral White and Carbon Black, the locally-assembled 330 Li is currently available for registrations of interest via the BMW Shop Online site. This stretched 3-er will retail for RM 300,800, or to put it in another sense a roughly RM 20k premium over what the shorter car that costs.
PRESS RELEASE: BMW Malaysia today unveiled the First-Ever BMW 330Li M Sport, empowering customers to explore a new space in sportiness with the first-ever long wheelbase variant in its mid-sized premium executive sedan portfolio for the Malaysian market.
Harald Hoelzl, Managing Director of BMW Group Malaysia said, “The BMW 3 Series has been a consistent chart-topper for the BMW portfolio in Malaysia – with over 2,500 units delivered to satisfied customers across Malaysia in 2020 alone. The success of the BMW 3 Series lies in its ingenious architecture that offers unparalleled versatility, while preserving the sporty DNA that underlines BMW’s Sheer Driving Pleasure.”
“The First-Ever BMW 330Li M Sport emerges as a marvel in new dimensions for the BMW 3 Series, combining the capaciousness of a longer wheelbase with the ever-present sportiness of a BMW mid-sized premium executive sedan, sacrificing neither in the process. Truly, the First-Ever BMW 330Li M Sport opens up an avenue for customers to experience Sportiness in New Dimensions.” Hoelzl added.
The First-Ever BMW 330Li M Sport, Malaysia’s first-ever locally assembled BMW 3 Series in the long wheelbase variant, promises to deliver the great value impression and enhanced premium perception of the BMW 3 Series, now also complete with the New My BMW App for greater digital interaction between driver and vehicle. Practicality through enhanced space and comfort aside, the elongated body of the First-Ever BMW 330Li M Sport provides an elegance in design that flows seamlessly from front to end.
An elegant composition of comfort and sportiness.
The kidney grilles of the First-Ever BMW 330Li M Sport precedes the sporty yet sophisticated design language of the vehicle, arriving in black struts distinctively framed in chrome. Flanking the grilles are state-of-the-art Adaptive LED Headlights capable of automatically adjusting to varying road conditions.
From the sides, an increased overall length of 4,819mm (+110) and an increased wheelbase length of 2,961mm (+110mm) form the main visual differentiator of the First-Ever BMW 330Li M Sport from the current BMW 330i M Sport, accompanied also by an increased height of 1,441mm (+6mm) relative to the latter. Elegance of the new sedan is enhanced with the new dynamic silhouette design, framed with the BMW Individual High-Gloss Shadow Line, and complete with a slight coupé-like roofline.
Other features that complete the exterior of the First-Ever BMW 330Li M Sport are the M Aerodynamics and M Sport Packages, a set of 18” M light alloy wheels in Double-Spoke style 848 M bicolour with mixed tyres and run-flat tyres, double-sided exhaust tailpipe finishers with a trapezoidal design in the rear, as well as the panorama glass roof, and welcome light carpet on both sides.
At the heart of the First-Ever BMW 330Li M Sport is a four-cylinder TwinPower Turbo petrol engine capable of a maximum output of 258 hp at 5,000 – 6,500 rpm and a peak torque of 400 Nm at 1,550 – 4,400 rpm. Power is transmitted via a Steptronic Sport transmission. Accelerating from 0-100 km/h is done in only 6.2 seconds, and the new sedan’s top speed is capped at 250 km/h. Fuel consumption is marked at 6.4 litres per 100 km of travel, while carbon emission is measured at 147 g/km.
As for the interior, a modern ambience and luxurious design are paramount, with interior trim finishers in Aluminium Tetragon with highlight trim finishers in Pearl Chrome furnishing the cabin. The new dimensions are reflected in an increase of 4mm in headroom compared to the BMW 330i M Sport, as well as an additional 42mm legroom available for rear passengers – providing unparalleled spatial comfort and luxury. Boot space is measured at 480 litres, improved with the storage compartment package that offers more stowage possibilities.
In the cockpit, drivers are greeted with an M leather steering wheel and M-specific pedals. For greater utility, automatic anti-dazzle function is also equipped for both interior and exterior mirrors, as well as electric seat adjustment with memory function for the driver. Other interior highlights of the First-Ever BMW 330Li M Sport are velour floor mats, ambient lights with 11 predefined lighting designs, automatic air-conditioning with three-zone control, and a HiFi loudspeaker system for entertainment on the road. The Comfort Access System that also comes standard provides an added layer of convenience for owners of the First-Ever BMW 330Li M Sport.
The infotainment, navigation and driver display systems in the First-Ever BMW 330Li M Sport come in the form of the BMW Live Cockpit Professional with a fully digital 12.3-inch instrument display, as well as the BMW Navigation System Professional with 10.25” touch sensitive display. Instrument panel in Sensatec and Galvanic Embellishers for controls further lends an exclusive ambience to the interior, integrating functionality and luxury.
To enhance convenience and assistance, the First-Ever BMW 330Li M Sport comes comprehensively equipped with Cruise Control with braking function, Parking Assistant with rear view mirror, and the BMW Active Pedestrian Safety system. Driving Assistant also comes standard and includes features such as lane departure warning, lane change warning, front collision warning, cross traffic warning and rear collision prevention. The Intelligent Emergency Call functionality also ensures live assistance and support are available at all times.
Owners will now be able to have greater digital interaction with the First-Ever BMW 330Li M Sport via the new My BMW App that provides easy access to a wide range of remote services, on-the-go navigation, and e-mobility features. The application will replace the BMW Connected App come July 2021, and is now available for download on both Android and iOS-enabled smartphones.
The First-Ever BMW 330Li M Sport comes in two colour offerings – Mineral White and Carbon Black. Leather Vernasca upholstery in Mocha with black stitching complement both the exterior colour offerings.
Customers may now register interest for the First-Ever BMW 330Li M Sport via the BMW Shop Online platform at https://shop.bmw.com.my/.
