When the first 3-Series was launched in 1975, it revolutionised the segment and became BMW’s most successful model. The saloon is the core of the range (of which over 15m units have been sold worldwide) and is regarded as the heartbeat of the BMW brand. Revised styling, superior driving dynamics, exceptional efficiency and innovation aplenty build an impressive impact on the class.
It will be launched officially on 9th March 2019.
Precise, clean lines and bold contours are the hallmarks of the new saloon, which has had its proportions revised radically; 85mm longer (4,709mm), 16mm wider (1,827mm) and just 1mm taller (1,442mm). Its wheelbase has been stretched by 41mm (2,851mm), as have its track widths (front: by 43mm, and rear by 21mm).
The customary BMW kidney grille elements are altered by framing them with a single surround that is split up by wide bars and links to the headlight units. A fresh twist on the car’s twin headlights emphasises a notch in the front apron that rises into the headlight contour. More-sculpted rear wheel-arches and the familiar ‘Hofmeister kink’ of the side windows lead to freshly styled tail-lamp units.
The interior is designed to accentuate the extra spaciousness of the cabin and its typically driver-focused cockpit. The instrument panel has a modern, light appearance, with horizontal lines, high-quality electroplated trim strips and contours that extend into the doors. A newly-styled instrument cluster and control display form a large surfaced screen grouping, while the controls not included in those units are arranged into clearly structured function panels.
The range of standard and optional interior trim elements, as well as open-pore fine wood options, provide a greater customer choice. The entry level SE model features a substantially increased standard specification, including extended LED headlights with cornering light and eyebrow indicators, BMW light carpet, interior ambient illumination, with up to 11 colour settings, reversing camera and latest generation reversing assistant, electric-folding rear-view mirrors, three-zone air conditioning and enhanced acoustic glazing. All 3-Series models benefit from 40:20:40 split-folding rear seats and folding rear headrests as standard. The entry model features a leather Sport steering wheel and BMW Live Cockpit plus, with its 8.8-inch central instrument cluster.
The Sport model adds exterior features including BMW Individual high-gloss shadow line trim for the side window surrounds, plus kidney grille bars and trim elements for the air intakes and rear apron in high-gloss black. The Sport model’s interior features more heavily bolstered seats for the driver and front passenger, as well as 18.0-inch alloy wheels and leather-covered, heated front seats.
The more focused M-Sport model features larger air intakes as well as a different design for the front bumper, side skirts and rear apron. Inside, it features the new BMW Live Cockpit Professional with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, 10.3-inch central instrument cluster and BMW’s brand new ID7 operating system.
The upgraded four-cylinder engines, from the BMW Group’s Efficient Dynamics family, are used in the BMW 330i and the BMW 320d. The 3-Series saloon features a new-generation, six-speed manual gearbox and the option of an eight-speed Steptronic auto-transmission. As an alternative to rear-wheel drive, the BMW xDrive all-wheel-drive system will also be available for the new BMW 320d at launch. The revised 2.0-litre turbo-diesel unit develops 190bhp and can accelerate the 320d from 0-60mph in 6.8s (automatic: 6.5s). Average fuel consumption is 64.2mpg (automatic: 67.3mpg), while its CO2 emissions are 115g/km (automatic: 110 g/km).
Increased body rigidity (up by some 25%, rising to as much as 50% in certain areas) helps the 20% stiffer suspension to work most efficaciously. Overall, the new BMW 3-Series saloon weighs up to 55kg less than its predecessor. The body itself is 20kg lighter, while aluminium front spring struts and engine subframe have cut 7.5kg from the overall weight. A further weight saving of almost 15kg is due to the use of aluminium for the bonnet and front side panels.
Aerodynamic improvements have also been made to drop the drag co-efficient down from 0.26 to 0.23, thanks to an almost completely sealed underbody, aerodynamically optimised wheels, the use of ‘air curtains’ at the front and the latest generation of active air-flap control, which extends across the BMW kidney grille and lower air intake. Adaptive M suspension can be purchased as part of the M Sport Plus package.
Boot capacity is 480-litres, with new partitioning into primary luggage and separate storage compartments creating an extra 36-litres of space. Automatic bootlid operation and an electrically retractable towbar are also optional. The package and option structure for the new 3-Series has been simplified, with the list reduced to six main packages and around ten single options. The car features Active Guard Plus as standard, which includes speed limit information, lane departure warning and collision and pedestrian warning, with city braking function, along with cruise control also with autonomous braking function.
The latest generation of BMW’s head-up display is optional and available as part of a Technology package. It has a projection area 70% larger than before, with enhanced graphics, additional display readings and a distance warning that flashes up a graphic icon to warn of close proximity to the vehicle in front. New for the BMW 3-Series saloon is BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant (that uses AI), which is an intelligent, digital character that responds to the prompt “Hey BMW”. List prices are expected to start from £33,610, prior to FCD discounts being applied.
