Of course, there’s no lack of goodies that add to the experience. The head-up display is a welcome addition, as always, and doesn’t fail to add to the excitement, especially with how quickly the numbers go up ― 40 to 100 km/h takes four and two-thirds of a second. The red-line is up there at 7,000 rpm, almost like its more powerful M sibling. Then there are the brakes. The 330i can shed speed just as effectively, getting from 100 km/h to zero in 2.77 seconds and a tad over 37 metres. Efficiency-wise, too, the 330i isn’t as thirsty as its former six-cylinder predecessor used to be. With the turbo four and the ‘Eco Pro’ drive mode, it is actually possible for it to return as much as 16 km/l on the highway in normal driving conditions. With the tests it was subject to, and the traffic conditions in the city thereafter, a figure of 10 km/l is still commendable ― there are some old hatchbacks with auto boxes that return lower than that!
All the while, it’s a comfortable experience in those fine leather seats. The ergonomics may be sporty but they let you get real comfy real quick, and those bolsters provide just the right support. The gadgetry is all present, and the iDrive unit, though quite distracting on the move, does have a lot of procedures covered, making setup easy to complete the first few times you use the car. There aren’t too many cars that can match the 330i’s balance of performance, luxury and, at Rs 45.20 lakh (ex-showroom), price, too. That’s not to say there aren’t any credible alternatives (see box).
The 330i is the kind of car you would want for its refinement, luxury, and fun factor. It brings 250+ PS in a comfortable package and lets you use all of what’s on tap, given the opportunity. You can hit a road out of town, or, even better, head for a track-day. It may not be as stiff as its former self, but it’s no less capable. It’s ready when you are. Just add fuel.
Need to Know – BMW 330i M Sport Edition
Price: Rs 45.20 lakh (ex-showroom)
Engine: 1,998 cc, in-line four, turbo-petrol
Max Power: 252 PS at 5,200 rpm
Max Torque: 350 Nm at 1,450-4,800 rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed, automatic, rear-wheel drive
Weight: 1,495 kg
Performance:
Power-to-Weight: 168.56 PS/tonne
Torque-to-Weight: 234.11 Nm/tonne
0-100 km/h: 6.78 seconds
Top speed: 250 km/h (claimed)
COMPETITION CHECK
Škoda Octavia vRS
On the performance front, the only one that has output figures in this ballpark is the RS Octy. Yes, it’s front-driven and, no, it doesn’t really matter. Why? Because it’s a hoot and feels properly sporty; enough to make you want to enter a rally championship just to let loose.
Price: Rs 25.49 lakh (ex-showroom)
Engine: 1,984-cc, in-line four, turbo-petrol
Power: 230 PS at 5,500-6,200 rpm
Torque: 350 Nm at 1,500-4,500 rpm
Transmission: Six-speed, twin-clutch automatic, front-wheel drive
Weight: 1,418 kg
Power-to-Weight: 162.20 PS/tonne
Torque-to-Weight: 246.83 Nm/tonne
Jaguar XE 25t
The only real direct competitor that more or less matches descriptions on paper is the new small Jag sedan. The XE 25t may not have the space or the aura of the 330i, but with a reworked 250-PS turbo-four, it doesn’t feel boring by any stretch of the imagination.
Price: Rs 43.95 lakh (ex-showroom)
Engine: 1,999-cc, in-line four, turbo-petrol
Power: 250 PS at 5,500 rpm
Torque: 365 Nm at 1,500-4,000 rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed, automatic, rear-wheel drive
Weight: 1,520 kg
Power-to-Weight: 164.47 PS/tonne
Torque-to-Weight: 240.13 Nm/tonne
Mercedes-Benz C 250 d
No, I haven’t lost my marbles. If you want a potent luxury sedan that is indeed good fun to drive, the diesel-powered, rear-wheel-drive, 500-Nm C 250 d stands out. This is the most potent form of the ageing 2,143-cc turbo-diesel four.
Price: Rs 44.84 lakh (ex-showroom)
Engine: 2,143-cc, in-line four, turbo-diesel
Power: 204 PS at 4,200 rpm
Torque: 500 Nm at 1,600-1,800 rpm
Transmission: Nine-speed, automatic, rear-wheel drive
Weight: 1,650 kg
Power-to-Weight: 123.64 PS/tonne
Torque-to-Weight: 303.03 Nm/tonne
