BMW 330e PHEV Coming End of August, RM240k Onwards

We have on good authority that dealers have already begun taking orders for the BMW 330e Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV) which is slated for launch at the end of August. The locally-built BMW 330e will be the second PHEV to be introduced by BMW Malaysia after the launch of the CKD BMW X5 xDrive40e – back in June.

Indicated prices are between RM240,000 – RM260,000 which places the 330e just above the RM230,000 320i. Neighbours Mercedes-Benz offer the C 200 Avantgarde and Exclusive variants for the same money.

The BMW 330e is powered by a 2.0-litre, longitudinal-mounted inline-four petrol engine mated to an electric motor, which is situated between the engine and transmission. An eight-speed automatic transmits power to the rear wheels. Exact performance figures are yet to be released, but, we’re informed the power unit outputs a combined 248bhp and 420Nm of torque.

The 330e is claimed to accelerate from 0 to 100km/h in just 5.9 seconds, just 0.1 second off the claimed figures of the BMW 330i M Sport. The 330e is capable of traveling up to 120km/h in full EV mode and has a full electric range of 22.5km on a full charge. Cars that are supplied in North American markets feature a 5.7kWh battery supplementing an 87bhp electric motor. Charging time should be lesser than that of the X5 PHEV, which requires 3 hours and 50 mins on a domestic power socket.