BMW 3's updated with modified design, interior refinements, new iDrive and revised engines.

The front view of the Saloon and Touring models of the new BMW 3 Series is characterised by a clear emphasis of vehicle width. The characteristic brand look of the double circular headlights is underscored by means of chrome tubes, and their corona rings can now also be used in the BMW 3 Series Saloon and the Touring model with optional bi-xenon headlamps as daytime running lights. The light sources of the direction indicators have a ribbed structure and LED direction indicator lights are installed in conjunction with the optional bi-xenon headlamps.

Taut surfaces and character lines dominate the side view. The contour edges of the side skirts have been set higher and modelled in a more distinctive fashion. Another new feature is the exterior mirrors with two distinctive character lines. The mirrors also offer an enlarged field of vision.

At the back, the rear bumpers, rear lights and luggage compartment handle have been completely redesigned. The dual section rear lights are now structured according to the characteristic BMW L shape. The two LED rear light clusters and the direction indicators in LED technology are designed to create a striking, high-quality appearance.

The widened track of the new BMW 3 Series especially contributes to its powerful appearance. Depending on the model, the track of the rear axle has been widened by up to 24mm by means of a new wheel carrier and other modified details.

Look inside

The interior has been enhanced with new materials and convex-concave surfaces. But the biggest change is the new generation of the operating concept BMW iDrive for the activation and control of entertainment, information, navigation and telecommunications functions. Available in conjunction with the optional navigation system Professional, the new iDrive also supports multi-mode operation by voice entry.

The features of the navigation system Professional include a hard drive integrated in the vehicle. The storage medium with a capacity of 80GB allows fast access to digital maps for navigation purposes and can also be used for an extensive collection of music files.

BMW ConnectedDrive makes BMW the first automobile manufacturer in the world to enable unlimited use of the internet inside the vehicle when stationary. The transfer of data is based on EDGE technology (Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution), which unlike UMTS offers full geographical coverage and is three to four times faster than the mobile phone standard GPRS.

Power to the tar

The 3 Series features five petrol engines and five diesel engines. When it comes to both petrol and diesel power units, there's the choice of four four-cylinder and three six-cylinder engines. The output range extends from 105kW in the four-cylinder 318i and 318d to a 225kW in-line six-cylinder engine in the BMW 335i. All engines are available for both the BMW 3 Series Saloon and the Touring model, and all are combined with the latest BMW EfficientDynamics measures.

All petrol engines are fitted with High Precision Injection and all diesel engines combine an all-aluminium crankcase, turbo charging and common rail direct injection of the third generation. The 335i is especially dynamic, accelerating in 5.6 seconds from zero to 100km/h. The outright leader in terms of efficiency is the 318d with an average fuel consumption in the EU test cycle of 4.7 litres per 100 kilometres and a CO2 emission level of 123 grams per kilometre.

New arrival is the 3.0 litre all-aluminium diesel engine that achieves its maximum output of 180kW at 4000rpm, while its maximum torque of 520Nm is available from 1750 to 3000rpm. The new BMW 330d accelerates in 6.1 seconds from zero to 100km/h, its maximum speed is electronically cut off at 250 km/h. The average fuel consumption of the new BMW 330d according to the EU test cycle is 5.7 litres per 100 kilometres, its CO2 level is 152 grams per kilometre.

More drive and safety

For the first time it is possible to fit four-cylinder models of this series with xDrive. The electronically controlled permanent all-wheel drive system combines comfort, traction and agility due to its distribution of drive torque between the front and rear axles. The computer unit of the drive stability regulation system Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) and that of xDrive are networked with each other in the Integrated Chassis Management (ICM), so the system identifies any tendency to oversteer or understeer early on and counteracts effectively.

Safety is courtesy of six airbags, three-point automatic belts and headrests on all seats. The front seats are fitted as standard with crash-active headrests which reduce the risk of injury to the cervical spine in the event of an impact. Controlled by the vehicle’s safety electronics system, this feature ensures that in the event of a rear-on collision the front section of the headrest is moved forward by up to 60mm and upwards by as much as 40mm. This reduces the distance between headrest and head, thus increasing the stabilising and securing function of the headrest.

A contribution to active safety is made by the new generation of adaptive headlight, optionally available in conjunction with bi-xenon headlamps, which illuminates the road surface when taking a corner. The swivel direction of the headlamps is derived from the steering angle, the yaw rate and the road speed of the vehicle. At low speeds the turning light is activated. This function is performed by one of the two inside headlamps, depending on the direction. Before each turning manoeuvre, the light cone is turned specifically in the appropriate direction to illuminate the road ahead.