BMW Group Malaysia welcomes the all new Sixth Generation BMW 3 Series

Kuala Lumpur, 22 March 2012 – BMW Group Malaysia today introduced the latest edition of the world’s most successful premium sedan – the all new BMW 3 Series. The most anticipated car in the Malaysian premium segment, the all new BMW 3 Series was introduced in three variants of the BMW 320d, BMW 328i and BMW 335i.

Fitted with the latest BMW innovations to further enhance the stellar performance of its predecessor, the new premium sports sedan from BMW is set to once again lift the benchmark in the premium sedan segment, allowing BMW to yet again deliver the Sheer Driving Pleasure to its Malaysian customers.

“The BMW 3 Series is the best-selling sports sedan in the premium segment that there has ever been with well over 12 million units sold worldwide since the car’s creation in 1975. We are confident that the all new Sixth Generation BMW 3 Series will continue to set a higher benchmark in automotive history!” said Mr. Geoffrey Briscoe, Managing Director of BMW Group Malaysia.

Briscoe further added that since its original inception, the BMW 3 Series has led the field in introducing the latest technological capabilities of the BMW Group and that the all new Sixth Generation model would be no different. The predecessor to the new car generated a total sales volume of 10,743 units during its tenure in Malaysia since 2006, 48% of the company’s total sales volume up to when it was discontinued earlier this year.

With the introduction of the all new Sixth Generation BMW 3 Series, Briscoe was confident that the car’s success in Malaysia would only continue to grow from strength to strength.

“With this new car, customers will appreciate and value the benefits of our proven BMW EfficientDynamics and BMW ConnectedDrive Strategies which have been successfully combined with the engineering principles that led to Sheer Driving Pleasure. This combination is also the core philosophy that is allowing the BMW Group to take on the challenges of FutureMobility with unparalleled success!” said Briscoe.

Briscoe added that the special status of the new BMW 3 Series is also now made even more exclusive with two new BMW Lines of Luxury and Sport which feature specific exterior and interior design as well as equipment elements that give the car unmistakable character and enabling owners to tailor their BMW 3 Series to their preferences and personal lifestyle.

Distinctive Personalities. Uniquely BMW
The BMW 3 Series is the originator of the compact sports sedan segment and since its inception in 1975, has come to symbolise the aesthetic appeal, dynamics and sporting capabilities of BMW. With its dynamic and elegant lines, the Sixth Generation BMW 3 Series epitomises the brand’s innovative design philosophy and has grown in all dimensions compared to its predecessor whilst still retaining a perfect balance of sportiness and elegance.

Instantly recognisable from its exciting new front design architecture, the new BMW 3 Series sets an entirely new precedent in BMW aesthetics. The car’s new flattened double round headlights which extend all the way to the forward-leaning kidney grille of the car, significantly enhances the width and athletic character of the car.

In comparison to its predecessor, the Sixth Generation BMW 3 Series now has grown by a total of 9.3 centimetres in length and 5 centimetres in its wheelbase. The track width of the car too has also further increased by 37 millimetres at the front and by 47 millimetres at the rear. These larger dimensions give the all new BMW 3 Series a recognisably more aggressive sporty and dynamic look whilst also further enhancing the car’s dynamic cornering ability.

The car’s body structure further boasts particularly high torsion rigidity as well as far-reaching active and passive safety systems to provide maximum occupant protection. These features doubled with an extremely durable passenger cell and highly efficient restraint systems, makes the car the safest BMW 3 Series to date.

Moving to the car’s interior, the all new BMW 3 Series demonstrates all new aesthetic qualities which also succeed in providing passengers with a sense of familiarity typical to BMW. The cockpit wraps around the driver with the renowned BMW driver focus and ensures that all important functions are within easy reach. Even with the introduction of additional features, the handling of the Sixth Generation BMW 3 Series’ iDrive control system remains intuitively easy as ever. Superior ergonomics, high-quality materials and consummate workmanship further underline the premium ambiance of every model in the new BMW 3 Series range.

Conspicuous changes to its predecessor include the placement of two cup holders in front of the selector lever, door compartments that are able to accommodate a typical one litre sized bottle as well as a new large free-standing flat screen Control Display enables a low instrument panel design for a very spacious and airy ambiance. The interior ambience of the new BMW 3 Series is made further apparent with an additional 18 millimetres of legroom for the driver and front passenger as well as an additional 15 millimetres of extra knee room and 8 millimetres of headroom in the rear for optimised rear passenger comfort. The added space is also extended in the luggage compartment of the Sixth Generation BMW 3 Series which has now grown by an additional 20 litres for a maximum capacity of 480 litres.

Allowing for even further personalisation, the new BMW 328i and BMW 335i also offers the option of two new BMW Lines of Sports and Luxury. These visually distinctive design schemes also incorporate highly differentiated equipment elements that give the car individualistic character tailor suited for the owner’s taste and style.

With the Sport Line, owners may opt for distinctive exterior elements such as the kidney grille, air inlets and tailpipe trim to be finished in high-gloss black to further underscore the vehicle’s dynamic appeal. Additionally, sporty interior elements such as sports seats, a sports leather steering wheel with red contrast stitching, subtle red trim accents, seat details and a sports style instrument cluster design further underscores the dynamic character of this all new BMW 3 Series.

With the Luxury Line, on the other hand, owners are able to highlight the same exterior elements as the Sports Line with the added side window frames in a high-gloss chrome finish instead. On the inside, the option for a selection of classic colours and further chrome accents as well as a fine wood trip provide the car with an especially elegant visual aesthetic for drivers who are more inclined towards a more classic and luxury look and feel.

Dynamic Performance. Efficient Dynamics
For the first time, the all new BMW 3 Series features the new BMW TwinPower Turbo four-cylinder engines in the new BMW 320d and new BMW 328i with both the diesel and the petrol variants benefitting from turbocharged power plants which deliver exemplary fuel consumption and CO2 emission levels. The top of the range spectrum, the all new BMW 335i, meanwhile, bears the already proven, award winning BMW in-line six cylinder petrol engine with BMW TwinPower Turbo technology for exceptional performance and efficiency.

The all new BMW 320d which is set to re-excite drivers in the segment who seek best-in-class power and efficiency in a package that delivers exceptional driving dynamics and excitement showcases a turbocharged 2.0 litre capacity engine that is fitted with variable turbine geometry (VTG), ensuring that the engine’s turbo aspect ratio is maintained at optimum levels. The new diesel variant of the BMW 3 Series also features Common Rail direct injection capable of delivering an output of 135 kW/184 hp with an exceptional 380 Nm torque reading. This enables the new BMW 320d to reach the 0-100 km/h mark in a mere 7.6 seconds.

The all new BMW 328i, on the other hand, takes the place of the former BMW 325i. The new premium compact sedan now features, for the first time, the new 4-cylinder 2.0 litre capacity BMW TwinPower Turbo petrol engine which is fitted with direct injection, Valvetronic and a TwinScroll turbocharger for an output of 180 kW/245 hp and a very respectable 350 Nm torque reading, allowing the car to reach the 0-100km/h sprint in 6.1 seconds.

The segment topping variant – the BMW 335i retains the exceptional 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder petrol engine with BMW TwinPower Turbo technology, direct injection, Valvetronic and TwinScroll turbocharger for an exceptional output of 225 kW/306 hp and 400 Nm of torque, allowing it to accelerate from 0-100 km/h in a whopping 5.5 seconds.

For the first time, all BMW 3 Series variants are further fitted with BMW’s revolutionary 8-speed automatic transmission, providing drivers with an exceptionally smooth driving experience with seemingly endless infusion of power whilst providing the efficiency to match that of a double-clutch transmission system. The new BMW 335i additionally features Variable Sport Steering, a speed-independent system which changes the steering ratio in line with steering angles. Incorporating a Servotronic function, the system reduces the steering wheel movement needed to achieve a particularly tight steering angle which in turn significantly enhances vehicle agility in tight corners and hairpin bends. For smaller steering angles, the system provides excellent directional stability and a very high degree of steering precision.

With fuel consumption readings of 6.3 l/100 km and 7.2 l/100km respectively, both the new BMW 328i and BMW 335i have a respective average EU fuel consumption rate which is 26 per cent and 23 per cent lower than that of their predecessors. The new BMW 320d, meanwhile, demonstrates an entirely new benchmark in efficiency altogether with fuel consumption levels of just 4.5 litres/100km. In terms of emission levels, the new BMW 320d, BMW 328i and BMW 335i generate CO2 emissions of a mere 118 g/km, 149 g/km and 169 g/km respectively.

An additional new feature being introduced with the Sixth Generation BMW 3 Series is the new intelligent ECO PRO engine management mode as standard. By activating the ECO PRO mode via the Driving Experience Control button, the car’s on-board computer slightly reduces the engines power delivery, air conditioning output as well as other non-essential electric comfort functions. ECO PRO tips shown on the Control Display further provide the driver with hints on how to lower fuel consumption while on the move. The resulting fuel savings from utilising ECO PRO are displayed as bonus kilometres added to the car’s range as well as the total journey’s fuel consumption. Studies by BMW have shown that drivers were able to enjoy fuel savings of up to 20 per cent with the ECO PRO mode.

Future Mobility. Mobile Connectivity
Like all contemporary BMW vehicles, the all new BMW 3 Series allows customers to fully benefit from the latest innovations in information technology through BMW ConnectedDrive. The full range of driver assistance systems and mobility services – a combination unrivalled in the premium segment of the Malaysian automotive industry is now taken to the next level with BMW ConnectedDrive Apps, an interface system which integrates the cars Video Playback and iPod Plug-In functions allowing customers to have direct access to web radio, Facebook and Twitter directly through their on-board Control Display. BMW ConnectedDrive Apps are enabled in the BMW 328i and the BMW 335i variants.

Specifically in the segment topping BMW 335i is the revolutionary full colour BMW Head-Up Display (HUD) system which projects important data onto the windscreen directly within the drivers’ field of vision much like the system used by jet pilots.

“The all new Sixth Generation BMW 3 Series has already demonstrated itself to be one of the most successful cars of its era, with design philosophy and innovations which are years ahead of its closest competitors. We are pleased to welcome the new BMW 3 Series to Malaysia today, as it heralds an all new era of success for us at BMW and gives customers an all new appreciation for the Ultimate Driving Machine.” said Briscoe.

The premium sports sedan from BMW was only recently awarded an honourable mention at the Red Dot Awards 2012 for a particularly accomplished detail solution. The awards council in its description said, “As an iconic compact sports sedan, the BMW 3 Series Sedan embodies the core values of sportiness, elegance and dynamics. Its exterior design displays sharp lines that demarcate the taut surfaces within typical BMW proportions. As a systematic evolution of the front design of earlier models, its headlights and kidney grille form a continuous visual unit. The main theme of the interior design, meanwhile, is “layering” – the interplay and offsetting of various layers to allow optimal access to all important functions.”

The retail prices (on the road, without insurance, with BMW Service + Repair Inclusive (BS+RI)) for the new BMW 3 Series are:
BMW 320d – RM 268,800
BMW 328i – RM 309,800
BMW 335i – RM 488,800