BMW has refreshed the 3-Series model range by adding new engines and models as well as visual upgrades. For 40 years the BMW 3-Series has headlined BMW sales with over 14 million units sold to date – a quarter of all BMW cars sold today come from the 3-Series model range.
The new 3-Series Saloon and Touring models which go on sale later in July have received minimal exterior styling upgrades while the interior gains new materials alongside upgraded technology. The BMW “eyes” are now further apart ushering in a broader look, full-LED headlights are optional but standard in the rear lights for all models including the M3. New models include the 340i which replaces the 335i and the 318i – with a new 3-cylinder unit – replacing the 316i.
Highlighting the exterior styling is the new optional LED headlights with LED indicators positioned above them as “eyebrows”. These units come with an optional camera-based BMW Selective Beam system which with the help of an anti-dazzle High Beam Assistant adjusts the right amount of light on the road without affecting oncoming traffic. Models with the standard headlights still get LED light strips, full LED rear lights with “L” shaped light strips and integrated LED brake lights.
The interior of the new 3-Series continues to improve over what is already available in the previous model. High gloss black and chrome accents are extensively used on the center control panel and center console across the Luxury, Sport and M-Sport models. There are new cup holders in the center console with sliding covers and additional space for items such as smartphones.
Individualization continues to strike in both Luxury and Sport models while the M-Sport package furthers these features. Luxury models come with bi-colour 18- inch light-alloy wheels in a multi-spoke design as standard while M-Sport models add a variety of items such as M Sport suspension and M leather steering wheel, not to mention the M aerodynamic, front sport seats and Driving Experience Control switch with additional “Sport+” mode.
Drivers can choose from 16 colors available for the new 3-Series, they include Mediterranean Blue metallic, Platinum Silver metallic and Jatoba metallic while Estoril Blue metallic is reserved for M-Sport models only. The BMW M3 enjoys additional colors from BMW Individual namely Tanzanite Blue metallic and Azurite Schwarz metallic as well as Smoked Topaz metallic and Champagne Quartz metallic.
Powering the new BMW 3-Series range is a choice of four petrol engines and seven diesel engines. Petrol engines feature 3, 4 and 6 cylinder units while the four-cylinder diesel engines found in the 316d, BMW 318d and BMW 320d are sourced from the newly developed modular BMW EfficientDynamics engine family that features the new BMW TwinPower Turbo technology. Elsewhere, all the petrol engines come with an exhaust-manifold-integrated turbocharger that ensures exhaust gases travel for shorter distances to the turbocharger resulting to quicker throttle response.
The entry level petrol engine in the 318i model is a 3-cylinder 1.5 liter unit that provides exceptional performance despite its size. It’s rated at 136hp and 220 Nm of torque which can be increased to 230 Nm with an overboost function activated through a kickdown. This unit returns impressive fuel consumption figures of up to 54.3mpg and 51.4mpg in the Saloon and Touring models respectively.
There is also a new four-cylinder petrol engine fitted in the 320i model and 330i that replaces the 328i model. The unit is rated at 184hp and 290 Nm of torque with a six-speed manual and rear-wheel drive in the 320i model; and 252hp and 350 Nm of torque in the 330i model. Highlighting the petrol engines is a 3 liter six-cylinder unit found on the new 340i that replaces the 335i. This unit is rated at 326hp and 450 Nm of torque with eight-speed Steptronic transmission as standard – allowing it to achieve naught to 100 km/h in just 5.1 seconds.
The new BMW 3-Series can be ordered with either a six speed manual transmission or an eight-speed Steptronic transmission, the latter is standard on the BMW 330d, BMW 335d and BMW 340i. The BMW 320i, 320d and 330d can be ordered with xDrive intelligent all-wheel drive, this is standard in the 335d model.
Additional features in the new 3-Series are offered by the BMW ConnectedDrive. They include Business Navigation which is standard in all models and the new Professional Navigation which is optional but standard in the M3. The new BMW 3-Series supports LTE mobile technology for faster data speeds in rural areas which comes in handy with the optional full-colour, high-resolution Head-Up Display.
Lastly but not least is the Parking Assistant feature which aids the driver to park into parallel spaces and spaces that are perpendicular to the road. At speeds below 22mph all the driver has to do is control the throttle, braking and gear shifting between reverse and forward. Prices for the new BMW 3-Series will be announced soon before it’s availed in the market in July.
No comments:
Post a Comment