Past 3 Series sports sedan stories have always been about saloon cars that led the field in driving dynamics and a blast to pilot everywhere, from a weekend trip to the local speedway, to any curvy B-road one may find bordering a metropolis.
But the new BMW 330i M Sport isn’t quite in that same Dr Jekyll-Mr Hyde analogue. This new car isn’t like those old school, big-engine four-door saloons of past that look very civilised in city clothes, but hide the rawness and aggression of a spirited ‘track-day special’. In fact, the new 330i M Sport is a creature bred for the future. Indeed, the new 330i is quite a technology powerhouse, more than anything else!
(Related: BMW’s X5 Protection VR6 Lets You Travel In Style While Stopping Bullets And Explosions)
BMW continues to innovate with the 3 Series, adding new technological advancements to the latest 330i M Sport that pushes the boundaries of the modern driving experience balancing enjoyment and comfort for the person behind the steering wheel.
But no, don’t worry. None of this has tamed the car’s sporting nature one bit! Up front, under the hood, BMW’s latest B48 2.0 litre turbocharged petrol powerhouse offers 258 hp and 400 Nm of torque from 1,550 to 4,400 rpm. A ZF eight-speed automatic transmission ably brings power to the rear axle for a zero to 100 km/h time of just 5.8 seconds, while at the same delivering a fuel consumption figure of 6.4 litres per 100 km.
Compared to the outgoing car, the kidney grille is expectedly larger. It is now a single-piece unit and features active flaps that automatically open and close to aid cooling and aerodynamic efficiency respectively. The aggression of the front end is defined by the plethora of creases – four frowning lines on the bonnet which converge into the grille, and the rising cheekbones in the bumper defined by the vertical creases that intrude into the headlights to create a notch.
The BMW Digital Key is available too that provides the convenience of unlocking the car with your selected Android smartphone without having to fish out your keys.
Rounding things off nicely inside is the M Sport leather steering wheel with multifunction and shift paddles, along with ambient interior lighting. Other key features are the Intelligent Personal Assistant and the safety innovation offered in the form of the Park Assist and Reversing Assist, delivered by the Parking Assistant system. Then, for piece of mind, there’s also airbags for the driver and front passenger, including the sides and curtain airbags from front to rear occupants, Dynamic Stability Control, Dynamic Traction Control, Cornering Brake Control, Dynamic Brake Control, ABS, Brake Assist and tyre pressure indicator.
The CKD BMW 330i M Sport now retails at RM288,800 on-the-road without insurance. A five-year, unlimited-mileage warranty, a five-year free maintenance package and a two-year tyre warranty is included. For added peace-of-mind, drivers will also enjoy BMW Roadside Assistance and Accident Hotline in case of any emergency. In addition, with the Balloon Financing Plan from BMW Group Financial Services Malaysia, the new BMW 330i M Sport can be owned with monthly instalment plans starting from RM 3,298.00 (based on estimates of an 80% loan on a five-year tenure).
The car is now available in a choice of Alpine White, Black Sapphire and Mineral Grey colours. Meanwhile, two more shades – the Portimao Blue and the Sunset Orange – will be offered beginning early next year.
(Related: Test drive: BMW M850i xDrive Convertible)
