The all-new 3-Series, codenamed F30, is the sixth-generation of BMW’s popular compact executive sedan, which has sold over 12 million units since its introduction in 1975. According to BMW’s CEO, Norbert Reithofer, the new 3-Series is “the sportiest car in its segment and offers sheer driving pleasure at the highest level”, and the new version will go on sale worldwide in February 2012.
The latest generation has grown in size from its predecessor, being 93mm longer in length and 50mm longer in wheelbase from its predecessor. This helps to improve passenger space, especially for rear passengers, and the new model now offers 15mm more legroom and 8mm more headroom for rear seat passengers. Yet despite the increase in size, the new 3-Series weighs up to 40kg lighter than the outgoing model, depending on version.
BMW will offer a choice of four engines at launch, all of which are TwinPower turbocharged engines, split into two petrols and two diesels. All engine options will be available with either a six-speed manual or an eight-speed automatic transmission.
The petrol models are the 328i and 335i, both equipped with the fuel-saving EfficientDynamics package. The 328i is powered by a twin-turbocharged 2.0-litre 4-cylinder with direct injection, twin-scroll turbo charging, double-Vanos variable camshaft timing and Valvetronic variable valve timing, producing 240bhp and 350Nm of torque. This enables the 328i to go from 0-100km/h in 5.9 seconds, and hit an electronically-limited top speed of 250km/h.
The 335i, meanwhile, gets a turbocharged inline-six with 306bhp and 400Nm of torque, allowing it to go from 0-100km/h in 5.5 seconds, and reach its electronically-limited top speed of 250km/h. The two diesel offerings are the 320d with 184bhp, and the 320d EfficientDynamics with 163bhp. Both engines are turbo diesel units, and the more powerful version allows the car to go from 0-100km/h in 7.5 seconds, and hit a top speed of 235km/h. The EfficientDynamics version reaches the century sprint in 8 seconds, and has a top speed of 230km/h.
BMW will add three more engines to the 3-Series range early next year, including the 320i with a 2.0-litre TwinTurbo with 184bhp and 270Nm of torque, a 316d turbo diesel with 116bhp and 260Nm of torque, and 318d turbo diesel with 143bhp and 320Nm of torque.
Further on, BMW will add even more engines to the 3-Series line-up, among them a six-cylinder diesel, and all-wheel drive xDrive versions, while there will also be an ActiveHybrid 3 that uses the same hybrid powertrain as the new ActiveHybrid 5.
The full-hybrid version of the 3-Series will combine the 3.0-litre TwinTurbo petrol engine with 306bhp, together with an electric motor producing 54bhp, integrated into the eight-speed auto transmission. Maximum combined output and torque are quoted at 340bhp and 450Nm respectively. The new 3-Series will also feature the Driving Experience Control system that in addition to its three basic modes, Comfort, Sport and Sport+, offers an Eco Pro setting that can reduce consumption up to 20%.
The sedan model features a double-joint front axle with aluminium struts and wishbones that reduce unsprung weight and a rear multi-link arrangement. There's also a new electromechanical system that is said to offer increased agility while minimizing weight and fuel consumption.
BMW will offer the 3-Series in three trim levels, named Sport Line, Modern Line and Luxury Line, and allows room for customisation. There is also the M Sport package which lowers the car by 10mm, as well as adding firmer suspension, harder anti-roll bars, 18- or 19-inch M alloy wheels, chrome exhaust pipes, exclusive bodywork paint and sport interior trim.
The optional equipment list on the new 3-Series includes items like the Adaptive M Sport suspension, Head-Up Display, ConnectedDrive infotainment system, Active Cruise Control with Stop&Go, parking assistant, real-time traffic info and the lane change and lane departure warning systems. The F30 3-Series will be built at BMW’s plants in Munich and Regensburg in Germany, as well as in Roslyn, South Africa.
Source: BMW
The latest generation has grown in size from its predecessor, being 93mm longer in length and 50mm longer in wheelbase from its predecessor. This helps to improve passenger space, especially for rear passengers, and the new model now offers 15mm more legroom and 8mm more headroom for rear seat passengers. Yet despite the increase in size, the new 3-Series weighs up to 40kg lighter than the outgoing model, depending on version.
BMW will offer a choice of four engines at launch, all of which are TwinPower turbocharged engines, split into two petrols and two diesels. All engine options will be available with either a six-speed manual or an eight-speed automatic transmission.
The petrol models are the 328i and 335i, both equipped with the fuel-saving EfficientDynamics package. The 328i is powered by a twin-turbocharged 2.0-litre 4-cylinder with direct injection, twin-scroll turbo charging, double-Vanos variable camshaft timing and Valvetronic variable valve timing, producing 240bhp and 350Nm of torque. This enables the 328i to go from 0-100km/h in 5.9 seconds, and hit an electronically-limited top speed of 250km/h.
The 335i, meanwhile, gets a turbocharged inline-six with 306bhp and 400Nm of torque, allowing it to go from 0-100km/h in 5.5 seconds, and reach its electronically-limited top speed of 250km/h. The two diesel offerings are the 320d with 184bhp, and the 320d EfficientDynamics with 163bhp. Both engines are turbo diesel units, and the more powerful version allows the car to go from 0-100km/h in 7.5 seconds, and hit a top speed of 235km/h. The EfficientDynamics version reaches the century sprint in 8 seconds, and has a top speed of 230km/h.
BMW will add three more engines to the 3-Series range early next year, including the 320i with a 2.0-litre TwinTurbo with 184bhp and 270Nm of torque, a 316d turbo diesel with 116bhp and 260Nm of torque, and 318d turbo diesel with 143bhp and 320Nm of torque.
Further on, BMW will add even more engines to the 3-Series line-up, among them a six-cylinder diesel, and all-wheel drive xDrive versions, while there will also be an ActiveHybrid 3 that uses the same hybrid powertrain as the new ActiveHybrid 5.
The full-hybrid version of the 3-Series will combine the 3.0-litre TwinTurbo petrol engine with 306bhp, together with an electric motor producing 54bhp, integrated into the eight-speed auto transmission. Maximum combined output and torque are quoted at 340bhp and 450Nm respectively. The new 3-Series will also feature the Driving Experience Control system that in addition to its three basic modes, Comfort, Sport and Sport+, offers an Eco Pro setting that can reduce consumption up to 20%.
The sedan model features a double-joint front axle with aluminium struts and wishbones that reduce unsprung weight and a rear multi-link arrangement. There's also a new electromechanical system that is said to offer increased agility while minimizing weight and fuel consumption.
BMW will offer the 3-Series in three trim levels, named Sport Line, Modern Line and Luxury Line, and allows room for customisation. There is also the M Sport package which lowers the car by 10mm, as well as adding firmer suspension, harder anti-roll bars, 18- or 19-inch M alloy wheels, chrome exhaust pipes, exclusive bodywork paint and sport interior trim.
The optional equipment list on the new 3-Series includes items like the Adaptive M Sport suspension, Head-Up Display, ConnectedDrive infotainment system, Active Cruise Control with Stop&Go, parking assistant, real-time traffic info and the lane change and lane departure warning systems. The F30 3-Series will be built at BMW’s plants in Munich and Regensburg in Germany, as well as in Roslyn, South Africa.
Source: BMW
