BMW 3 Series F30 launched in Malaysia

BMW Malaysia has launched the new 3 Series to the Malaysian market, mere month after the car is delivered to the other market globally. Such rapid move is a testament to BMW Malaysia commitment to deliver the best product to Malaysian consumer. Indeed, 500 or so of the initial batches of F30 will be CBU, while the CKD program will commence in around 3 months time. According to Geoff Briscoe, Managing Director of BMWGroup Malaysia, 


“We couldn’t wait till local assembly started as the new 3-Series has been launched in so many other markets. It has always been our policy to introduce new models in Malaysia as soon as possible, so we’re starting off with CBU imports first. Orders have reached about 500 units and I’ve never seen our BMW dealers so happy. I am proud to say that the all-new BMW 3-Series is a testament to what it truly means to be… the car of tomorrow being made available for the world of today." 

BMW Malaysia has brought in 3 models for now, namely 320d, 328i and 335i. The 320d is powered by the familiar 2.0L diesel lump, featuring variable geometry turbine turbocharger and high pressure common rail direct injection systems. The lump kicks out 184bhp@4000rpm and 380Nm of torque between 1750-2750rpm. This version is capable of achieving 4.5L/100km in mixed cycle condition. Not to be put off by the extremely low fuel consumption, the 320d is capable of century sprint in respectable 7.6 seconds and 230km/h of top speed.

BMW 320d is Base Specs (top and bottom)

The 328i meanwhile is powered by the new N20 engine, displacing mere 2.0L but capable of punching out a significant 245bhp between 5000-6500rpm and 350Nm from diesel-like 1250-4800rpm of torque. The impressive figure is the courtesy of the BMW latest application of TwinPower turbo technology comprising of twin-scroll turbocharger, Valvetronic and direct injection systems. Fuel economy figure is quoted as 6.3L/100km in combined cycle. 100km/h sprint can be attained in impressive 6.1 seconds, while top speed is 250 km/h. More details after the jump.

BMW TwinPower 4 cylinder spawned a "25i" guise

In somewhat an expected move, BMW has released another state of tune for their 4 cylinder TwinPower turbocharged engine series, the N20. Complementing the current "20i" and "28i" guises is the new "25i" guise, which kicks out a familiar 218bhp@5000rpm and 310Nm@1350-4800rpm. In comparison, the "20i" version delivers 184bhp/270Nm while the "28i" version pumps out 245bhp/350Nm.

The N20 is a new series of small capacity engine utilizing its TwinPower turbocharged concept. The engine makes use of twin-scroll turbocharger, high precision injection, Valvetronic and double VANOS. It is part of BMW engine downsizing initiative where the punch of the bigger capacity engine is delivered by forced-fed small capacity engine, while retaining the small engine fuel efficiency.

The engine was launched with the updated BMW 1 series as part of the extended engine availability for the 5 door version of BMW compact hatchback. In this application, the 125i is capable of 6.5 seconds sprint to 100 km/h for the 8-speed automatic version en route to its 243 km/h top speed. Fuel efficiency is quoted as 6.4L/100km and CO2 emission of just 154g/km. It is then just a matter of time before the new F30 325i and F10 525i badge make an appearance!

In a simultaneous move, the 1 Series has been given new diesel engine too. The first one is the 116d EfficientDynamics Edition, while the other one is 125d. The 1.6L 116d ED emits an impressive 99g/km of CO2 and deliver 116bhp@4000rpm and 260Nm@1750-2500 rpm. Diesel consumption is quoted as 3.8L/100km. The performance figure is 10.5 seconds century sprint and 195 km/h top speed. This engine is offered too on F30 316d where performance is quoted slightly differently with 11.3 seconds 100 km/s sprint and 202 km/h of top speed.

Power-hungry environmentalist should however look for 125d. With a petrol-rivalling 218bhp@4400rpm, and V8 rivalling 450Nm of torque delivered between 1500-2500 rpm. The 2.0L turbo-diesel engine is sufficient to sprint the F20 to 100 km/h in 6.5 seconds and a 240km/h of top speed. Fuel consumption is rated at 4.8L/100km and  126g/km of CO2 for the 8 speed automatic version. More after the jump.