Muscat Motors has introduced two new BMW models, a sporty 1 Series and a 3 Series Touring.

The company said the BMW 130i is the only car in its class with a straight-six power unit fitted lengthwise at the front and rear-wheel drive, setting the benchmark in the compact class.

The car, at a starting price of Lm15,000, is a five-door tailgate saloon with dynamic performance.

It boasts a 265 bhp straight-six power unit that displaces 2,996 cubic centimetres. With six cylinders it is the lightest engine in its class weighing just 161kg.

The BMW 130i features a six-speed manual gearbox as standard accelerating from zero to 100km/h in just 6.1 seconds. Top speed, in turn, is limited electronically to 250 km/h (155 mph).

Despite its performance, the BMW 130i makes do on average with an fuel consumption of just 9.2 litres/100 km.

The BMW 3 Series Touring at a staring price of Lm22,800, is larger, more versatile and faster. Developing maximum output of 190 kW/258 bhp, the straight-six unit in this top-of-the-range car outperforms its predecessor by 20 kW/27 bhp.

It accelerates from zero to 100km/h in 6.4 seconds. Top speed is limited electronically to 250km/h, while fuel consumption is a modest 8.9 litres/100km.

The diesel variants offer sporting and dynamic power. Featuring the latest common rail technology and a turbocharger with variable turbine geometry, the diesels are even more dynamic than their predecessors.