The Iconic Drive

What we like:

Well engineered

great handling

impressive performance

styling

loaded with kit.

What we dislike:

Some minor wind noise

BMW Digital Key not fully compatible with other mainstream brands yet.

Recently, Khim Yap tested the M Sport version of the BMW 330, and marvelled at how advanced the car was. This time round, we get our hands on the Luxury trim model.

The seventh generation G20 BMW 3 Series is an important car for the Bavarian company, as it is seen as the heart of the brand.

While the silhouette is instantly recognisable as a “BMW 3”, the new car is longer by 72mm. And while it is a larger car, it is lighter by 25kg, yet still more rigid than its predecessor. An increased track width by 43mm front and 21mm rear, also contributes to the car’s added stability.

A larger front grille for improved airflow, also utilises slats to regulate how much air is needed. Air curtains are integrated into the outer air intakes, in the form of a horizontal T shape, adds to improved stability and reduced wind buffeting from the front wheels at speed.

Horizontal LED tail lights, darkened out, with its L-shaped fins which extended further outward, gives the rear end an added sense of girth, and a lower stance.

A little detail I personally like, is how BMW has integrated its Hofmeister kink into the C-pillar, and have gone a step further to emphasise this with a frameless edge on the rear quarter glass.

With the new car, BMW has also included their new BMW Operating System 7.0, which includes a 12.3” digital instrument cluster and a 10.25” Control Display. The system can be operated with BMW’s intuitive iDrive controller, by touch or even by voice, through the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant, with the prompt “Hey BMW”. Gesture control, is also available as a cost-option.

In ensuring that your new 3 Series is more accessible to those close to you, they have also included their BMW Digital Key, which allows you to open the doors and even start the car, either with the use of a key card, or through the use of your mobile phone. Connectivity to do this is through the use of Near Field Communication (NFC) technology. Currently, only Samsung mobile devices with NFC capabilities can be paired with the system to work. Starting the car is as simple as placing the key card or mobile device into the wireless phone charging dock and hitting the ‘Start’ button.

Six choices of Vernasca Leather upholstery and a selection of wood and aluminium trim allows you to personalise the interior to your liking. Seats are supportive, and legroom for rear passengers is generous.

The 330i gains points for its generous 480 litre boot. Its rear seats fold in 40:20:40 fashion for added versatility, while an automated boot lid, allows for hands free operation.

Power is supplied by a 2.0 four-cylinder turbocharged unit. In traditional BMW style, the engine is mounted longitudinal fashion, and driving the rear wheels, via a ZF-sourced 8-speed automatic transmission. Power is rated at 258 bhp, while its 400Nm of torque (50Nm more than the previous car), which is available as low as 1,500rpm, ensures that this four-cylinder is very responsive.

On full whack, the 330i hits 100km/h in a very impressive 5.8 seconds, and combined fuel consumption at 15.6km/l is a decent price to pay for performance this good.

While the suspension on the ‘Luxury’ trim car is tuned a little more for comfort, it is able to take a series of directional changes in its stride, and there is good enough play allowing passengers to enjoy their journey. Sure the M Sport suspension will benefit those who love a sporty drive, and believe me; while the M Sport variant’s handling is phenomenal, most drivers would not even bring the 330i halfway close to its handling limits.

New to the range is its Reversing Assistant, which allows you to backtrack on the path you took, up to a distance of 50m. Great when you have driven into a dead end on a narrow road, and visibility is an issue… and it is raining heavily… you get the drift.

Other features like the Parking Assistant, which helps park the car for you, makes living with the car even easier.

I believe that the Luxury model is truly the sweet spot in the 3 Series range. Being built on already impressive architecture, it handles like a dream, even without the technologically advanced M Sport suspension.

The 2.0 litre engine, with its improved power and torque delivery, coupled with an overall lighter weight, also means that even as a larger car, it is more agile.

While we can’t wait for the 6-cylinder 340i to hit our shores… which is a different animal altogether; the 330i truly is an impressively engineered machine.

Credits: