(BMW 3 Series Price and Specs | Gallery)

BMW Malaysia has just unveiled the new 320i, a new addition to the G20 3 Series range in Malaysia.

The new locally-assembled variant is priced from RM 243,800, making it RM 45,000 cheaper than the 330i (RM 288,800).

While the new BMW 320i may share its 2.0-litre B48 4-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine with the 330i, the cheaper model makes do with less power – 184 PS from 5,000 rpm to 6,000 rpm and 300 Nm from 1,350 rpm till 4,000 rpm (258 PS, 400 Nm in the 330i).

Just like the 330i, the new 320i gets an 8-speed automatic helps deploy all those Bavarian horses to the rear wheels.

The decrease in power is also reflected in the 0-100 km/h time – the 320i completes the century sprint in 7.1 seconds, as opposed to the 330i's 5.8 seconds. 

Visually, what sets the new BMW 320i apart from its pricier sibling are tamer-looking front and rear bumpers and 18-inch style 780 Bicolor alloy wheels.

Inside, the RM 45,000 in savings are more apparent – out goes the fancy looking but cluttered 12.3-inch Live Cockpit Pro digital instrument cluster, replaced by a traditional, but easier-to-read analogue dials.

The same goes for the infotainment system, as the cheaper BMW 320i gets an 8.8-inch touchscreen head unit running on BMW Operating System 6.0, instead of the 330i’s OS 7.0.

As such, the new BMW 320i makes do without the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant and its related services, such as over-the-air updates.

Despite that, the new 320i is still comes with Apple CarPlay, Intelligent Emergency Call, Teleservices and BMW Digital Key.

Colour options for the new BMW 320i include Mediterranean Blue, Black Sapphire, Alpine White, Mineral Grey, and Sunset Orange.

As with any new BMW model, the company is offering a 5-year unlimited mileage warranty with a free scheduled service program with every purchase of the 320i.