Aside from the CE 04 electric scooter, BMW Group Malaysia has also launched the facelifted G20 BMW 3 Series in Malaysia. As before, the benchmark sports sedan is available in petrol and plug-in hybrid variants, all given a mild exterior redesign and a big bump in interior technology. Here are five things you need to know.
It’s now up to RM22k more expensive
The entire 3 Series range is quite a bit more expensive than before. There are three models available, the 320i M Sport, 330e M Sport PHEV and 330i M Sport, with on-the-road pricing (excluding insurance) as follows:
- 2023 BMW 320i M Sport – RM283,800
- 2023 BMW 330e M Sport – RM298,800
- 2023 BMW 330i M Sport – RM317,800
This makes the 320i RM21,000 more expensive than the pre-facelift Runout Edition, while the 330e is RM22,000 pricier than the outgoing model. As for the 330i, that’s RM13,000 costlier than the outgoing Runout Edition. All prices include a five-year, unlimited-mileage warranty and free service, which is a RM16,120 option for the 3 Series.
They all come with the exact same engines
All three variants come with the same 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engines, but with different outputs. The 320i continues to produce 181hp and 300Nm of torque, enabling the car to sprint from zero to 100km/h in 7.4 seconds on its way to a top speed of 235km/h. The 330i’s punchier 255hp/400Nm motor shaves 1.6 seconds off the century sprint—completed in 5.8 seconds—and boosts top speed to 250km/h.
The 330e delivers the same 181hp as the 320i, but is assisted by an electric motor sandwiched between the engine and the standard-fit eight-speed automatic gearbox. It produces 67hp, bumping power to 255hp, but the motor can produce an extra 42hp in short bursts, resulting in a total output of 292hp and 420Nm. As a result, the car gets to 100km/h in the same 5.8 seconds as the 330i, although top speed is limited to 230km/h.
Sitting under the rear seat is a 12kWh lithium-ion battery, enabling the 330e to drive on electric power alone, with a range of 56km; it also helps the car achieve a fuel consumption figure of just 2.2 litres per 100km. Charging it takes 3.6 hours with a lowly 3.7kW AC wallbox charger, or six hours with the provided portable charger and a domestic three-pin socket.
M Sport kit is now standard
New for 2023 are redesigned LED headlights with inverted L-shaped daytime running lights, flanking a more angular double-kidney grille. All models also now come standard with the M Sport kit, previously reserved for the 330i and 330e. This adds a large hexagonal air intake, a giant rear diffuser and L-shaped front and rear bumper corners. Rolling stock consists of 18-inch double-spoke Style 848 two-tone alloy wheels, fitted to all three models.
iX-style curved display includes the air-con controls
But the biggest change is on the inside, where you’ll find a curved display panel as seen on the iX electric SUV. There sits a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a massive 14.9-inch infotainment touchscreen, all running on the latest BMW Operating System 8. In line with BMW Malaysia’s announcement earlier this month, all models come standard with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
The revised infotainment system also sees the removal of discrete air-conditioning controls, the functionality of which have migrated to the main display. You still get triple-zone automatic climate control, along with keyless entry, push-button start and power-adjustable front seats with driver’s side memory. One new feature coming to Malaysian-spec models is a head-up display, again fitted as standard to all models.
Accoutrements as part of the standard M Sport package include a three-spoke M Sport steering wheel, sports seats, black headlining, alloy pedals and M-branded side sill scuff plates. There’s also aluminium trim as well as black Vernasca leather, with the 330i and 330e also getting a Mocha (brown) option.
AEB as standard, but no semi-autonomous driving
As before, the 3 Series comes as standard with the Driving Assistant package, adding autonomous emergency braking, lane keeping assist, blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert and rear collision warning.
You also get a reverse camera, park assist and a reversing assist that will keep track of your last 50 metres of forward movement and reverse for you. However, you still don’t get Level 2 semi-autonomous driving features such as adaptive cruise control and lane centring assist.
