BMW South Africa has added a special new variant to its 3 Series range, with the 330is Edition positioned as a limited-run tribute to the original 325is … aka the Gusheshe.
Just 230 examples of the 330iS Edition will be produced, with pricing starting at R899 000. For context, the base 330i starts at R743 676 and runs through to R791 076 for the 330i M Sport (before extras, of course).
Like the model on which it’s based, the 330is Edition employs a turbocharged 2,0-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine sending 190 kW and 400 N.m to the rear axle via an eight-speed automatic transmission. That’s enough, says the Munich-based firm, for a sprint from standstill to three figures in 5,8 seconds.
So, what do you get for the extra cash? Well, BMW 330is Edition is fitted with an M Sport package and 20-inch M Performance wheels as standard. The M Aerodynamic kit includes a front splitter, chunkier side skirts (in body colour), a boot spoiler and an M Performance exhaust. The package also includes M Sport brakes (with blue callipers) and adaptive M suspension.
The BMW Individual high-gloss Shadow Line (with extended contents) furthermore adds a black grille and darkened headlamps. Each BMW 330is Edition also bears a special badge on the bootlid. Exterior paint colour options are limited to Glacier Silver, Melbourne Red, Alpine White and Black Sapphire.
Inside, you’ll find “Edition” doorsills up front, along with model-specific interior trim finishers (with “330is” etching), “Vernasca” black leather (with decorative stitching), M seatbelts, an M leather-trimmed steering wheel, sport seats, ambient interior lighting, anthracite roof lining, a sliding sunroof and a Harman Kardon surround sound system.
As a reminder, the two-door 325is was exclusive to South Africa, with 508 units built at Plant Rosslyn. Introduced in the late 1980s, it was essentially a local upgrade of the E30-generation 325i (since South Africa did not get the very first M3 of the time).
Powered by a naturally aspirated 2,7-litre fettled by the folks over at Alpina, the Gusheshe was initially offered with 145 kW and then later with 155 kW (peak torque output was 265 N.m in each model). In 2018, BMW Group South Africa took the wraps off its freshly restored 325is.
