VIDEOS: BMW 330e ads poke fun at the Tesla Model 3

BMW USA recently released a few video commercials to promote the 2016 BMW 330e iPerformance, which undoubtedly takes aim at Tesla, and more specifically, the Model 3 with the hashtag #WaitOrDrive.

Why such a curious hashtag? Well, considering the fact that the much-hyped Tesla Model 3 won’t be available anytime soon, BMW saw fit to take a jab at the electric carmaker, saying rather than “paying a deposit and waiting,” you can have a 330e instead.

The ads are the work of boutique agency, The Vault of New York, and star a rather sad-looking man, as well as a woman walking past what appears to be Tesla Supercharger stations. A voiceover can be heard as well, reading out copy that certainly isn’t subtle when it comes to poking fun at Tesla.

Tesla’s reveal of the Model 3 was met with encouraging response, with around 115,000 orders notched up in just 24 hours. However, the all-electric car is still undergoing revisions to its styling, and the model will not officially go on sale until the end of 2017.

As for the plug-in hybrid BMW 330e, the model boasts a fuel economy rating of 72 MPGe under the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which roughly works out to 3.3 litres per 100 km. Under the hood, there is a 2.0 litre TwinPower Turbo four-cylinder engine, an eDrive 76 hp electric motor and an eight-speed Steptronic automatic gearbox combo. The combined system output is 248 hp and 420 Nm of torque, with a 0-100 km/h time of 6.3 seconds.

The model has been confirmed for our market by BMW Malaysia recently, with its new #ElectricDrivingPleasure campaign, and will join the X5 xDrive40e in BMW Malaysia’s latest PHEV range. How soon? As early as the end of August, it seems, with sources indicating a tentative price of between RM240k to RM260k.

GALLERY: BMW 330e iPerformance

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Gerard Lye

Originating from the corporate world with a background in finance and economics, Gerard's strong love for cars led him to take the plunge into the automotive media industry. It was only then did he realise that there are more things to a car than just horsepower count.

 

Comments

  • Painter on Aug 09, 2016 at 4:28 pm

    240k – 260k? Undercuts the C-class by a lot.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 12 Thumb down 1
    • pomen on Aug 09, 2016 at 6:35 pm

      ya…you need to see the spec and features also..maybe the lowest??

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 3
      • Same L00 on Aug 10, 2016 at 10:59 am

        Everyone knows BMW build quality, that’s why used BMW is so cheap. You either wait at home for your Tesla to charge up, or wait at garage for your BMW repair. Your call.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 3
    • Kunta Durian Story on Aug 09, 2016 at 10:45 pm

      well done BMW, the PHEV vehicle shall do well.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 1
    • Operation Manager on Aug 09, 2016 at 11:11 pm

      Bodoh Msian (kena)Wreack : you will get con service car end-up pay 2 unit cars price

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 5
  • gaviny on Aug 09, 2016 at 4:46 pm

    without the battery, it’s a regular 320i,

    and BMW philosophy is, why carry around the battery if you aren’t going to use it, that’s why they need to have a button to force it save charge

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 3
  • contender on Aug 09, 2016 at 7:26 pm

    Well with EEV incentives can price lower … just like S400 Hybrid S class …

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 0
  • BMW’s being disdainful of upstart Tesla. More proof the coming disruption of the traditional and established is being underestimated. People buy Tesla because it’s young, hip, bold, dares to go all-in into electric and hopeful of a pollution free future. This tease will only harden their resolve to wait (and not for very long at that).

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 6
  • Amelia on Aug 10, 2016 at 12:31 am

    The fact that BMW thinks that the 3 series is an adequate competitor to the Tesla Model 3 just shows you how BMW still doesn’t get it. They’re still picturing the automotive landscape from a pre-Tesla point of view. They came close to being a part of the future with the full electric i8 but this is a disappointing step back. Don’t get me wrong, the current generation 3 series is a beautiful car, but even so – people who buy Tesla buy it because they want to be part of the future, they want to be part of a totally new world where hyper advanced tech is the norm. BMW just doesn’t get this.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 10
  • -BigBalls- on Aug 10, 2016 at 11:16 am

    How rich of BMW to poke fun at Tesla. A car fully charged that can run only 25km full range vs. a car that can run more than 10 times BMW could do, with all the gadgets not seen in any car apart from Tesla, BMW is taking the piss here.. Tesla is not just an electric car, its the future, everything from the design, technology and connectivity, its all first of its kind technology. Meanwhile BMW is still a normal sedan with an extra battery.. lmao BMW u dun goofed…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 1
  • domotomo on Aug 10, 2016 at 3:29 pm

    free ad n promo for tesla

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
 

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