BMW Malaysia has unveiled the seventh generation of its iconic 3 Series, which has sold more than 15 million units globally.
At its launch in Kuala Lumpur recently, Harald Hoelzl, managing director of BMW Group Malaysia said the new 3 Series took the signature characteristics of a BMW “to another level”.
“The BMW 3 Series is the model that established the premium sports sedan segment. For over 45 years, the 3 Series has continuously raised the benchmark for Sheer Driving Pleasure in the premium automotive industry.
“Today, the All-New BMW 3 Series in its seventh generation, with a new dynamic design, superior driving dynamics, as well as technology and innovation, never seen before in the Malaysian automotive industry,” he said.
The sports sedan is introduced in the “M Sport package” exclusively for Malaysia and features a dynamic sporty design with new dimensions. Its precise lines and contoured surfaces lend to a new chapter in its design language, while classic elements such as its kidney grille, headlights and Hofmeister kink are reinterpreted for what BMW says is “a stronger athletic look”.
Innovative functions such as the “BMW Digital Key” is now also available enabling owners to unlock their vehicles and start its engine all with Android smartphones with Near Field Communications (NFC) technology.
when placed at the door handles. The sports sedan is also equipped with the “Parking Assistant” which also features the new “Reversing Assist” which records the car’s journey every 50 metres enabling it to semi-autonomously reverse at low speeds through narrow corners.
A 2.0-litre TwinPower Turbo petrol engine sits at the heart of the new 3 Series – the most powerful of its kind to ever be fitted in a BMW vehicle – shooting the vehicle from 0 to 100km in just 5.8 seconds helped by a drag coefficient of just 0.23. Even so, the manufacturer says the revamped engine guarantees lower fuel consumption and carbon emission, thanks to the further developed 8-speed Steptronic Sport transmission.
The new model is 76mm longer (4,709mm), 16mm wider (1,827mm) and just 6mm taller (1,435mm) than its predecessor thus improving the comfort of passengers in the rear seat. The wheelbase is also longer by 41mm (2,851mm).
For the exterior, one stylish characteristic is the aerodynamic spoiler lip affixed to the rear along with two distinct 90-millimetre tailpipes that give the 3 Series a sporting edge.
BMW says the interior “offers an instant promise of unadulterated driving pleasure” with the M Sport leather steering wheel with multifunction and shift paddles along with the ambient interior lighting. The BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant enters a new era in which drivers will increasingly be able to operate their car and access its functions and information simply by speaking.
For example, the driver can control various vehicle functions such as navigation and air-conditioning simply by interacting with them. It can also explain vehicle functions, provide status updates on things like the oil level and help detect warnings. The intelligent system will pick up on the driver’s habits and preferences and will then adjust the vehicle to suit the driver. Seamless updates performed via Remote Software Upgrade will continuously add new capabilities to the All-New BMW 3 Series.
When activated, the new BMW 3 Series can easily manoeuvre in and out of tight parking spots. Plus, the new “Reversing Assist” provides support when operating in narrow spaces. The intuitive system remembers the last 50 metres of the drive to the parking space and will use that knowledge to assist the driver in exiting the spot by taking over the wheel.
For the dash, the highlight is the “Live Cockpit Professional”. It combines customisable and situation-linked displays on a fully-digital 12.3-inch instrument cluster and 10.25-inch control display. An intuitive operation can be chosen from the control display’s touch control, the “iDrive Controller”, the steering wheel buttons and voice control.
Livery for the new 3 Series comes on Portimao Blue, Black Sapphire, Alpine White, Mineral Grey and Sunset Orange paired with black or cognac leather Vernasca upholstery and interior trim finished in Aluminium Tetragon.
The BMW 330i M Sport’s on-the-road price without insurance is RM328,800.