BMW 3 Series Facelift - What's new?

by Mohammed Burman | 12/12/2018
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Expected to be launched in India at the end of 2019, the new BMW 3 Series will get a new design and three engine options: petrol, diesel and hybrid motors.

BMW is now accelerating for the launch of the updated BMW 3 Series next year. Debuted by the German automaker at the 2018 Paris Motor Show, the 7-gen 3 Series sedan now looks more angular than its predecessors as well as being powered by a brand new kit of motors. Whereas Indian auto buyers still have to wait one year before the luxury sedan is launched in India, this article expects to give you an insight into what will be the changes in the all-new BMW 3-Series in comparison with the outgoing model.

7-gen BMW 3 Series

The 7-gen BMW 3 Series will be launched in India in late 2019

1. New BMW 3 Series will get a sportier exterior than its predecessor

Dimensions

In terms of the proportions, the new-gen 3-Series now measures greater in length, width and height with a longer wheelbase than the outgoing model, which translates into a roomier cabin. Despite greater dimensions, the sedan is claimed to be lighter than the predecessor by 55kg. It is obvious that the 3 Series sedan has been growing from a compact sedan to a midsize one.

Dimensions  Old BMW 3 Series New BMW 3 Series  Differences
 Length  4,633mm   4,709mm   + 76mm
 Width  1811mm  1827mm   + 16mm
 Height  1429mm   1435mm   + 6mm
 Wheelbase  2810mm   2851mm  + 41mm
 Kerb we  1585kg  1530kg  55kg

Exterior design 

Overall, the facelifted 3 Series now looks more aggressive and sportier than the outgoing model, thanks to the following updated features:

In the front

  • Instead of being divided into two parts, now the kidney grille has turned into a single-piece grille. It is also bigger and more flared, like on most other new BMW models.

  • The restyled edgy bumper replaces the old sober one the predecessor.

  • New two-barrel projector headlamps feature a bottom kink. The headlamps on the current 3 Series extend horizontally to the kidney grille while the ones on the new model come together into the grille.

On the side profile

One of the unchanged features in the sedan is the wheels. It continues to ride on the 17 - 18-inch-alloy wheels

In the rear

  • The more polishing horizontal LED L-shaped tail lamps bear a strong resemblance to the ones of the 8 Series.

  • The updated 3 Series comes with a long bonnet, like the outgoing model.

BMW 3 Series old vs. new

The new-gen BMW 3 Series has a more aggressive appearance than its predecessor

2. BMW 3 Series Interior

Interior features

The updated 3 Series is equipped with an all-black cabin. The production model is expected to offer various seat coverings colour options.

With silver inserts on the dashboard, central console, air conditioner vents and door trims, the new model sports more silver inserts than its predecessor.

The newly-styled instrument cluster is now larger, with the multi-information display rising from 2.7 inches to 5.7 inches. The infotainment system has also increased in size, from a 6.6-inch unit to an 8.8-inch one.  An optional BMW Live Cockpit Professional is also available in the new 3 Series sedan this time. This package consists of a fully digital an instrument cluster measuring 12.3 inches and an infotainment system measuring 10.25 inches.

The sedan is now equipped with a new steering with a button range for light functions.

Other interior features include 6 speakers on Radio Professional, three-zone temperature control and LED cabin lighting as standard features; and powered front seats and optional ambient lighting, 16 speakers on the Harman Kardon sound system and wireless charging telephony as optional features.

Safety features

The BMW 3 Series can ensure both the driver and the passengers a comfortable and safe driving experience with a wide range of safety features including

  • Six airbags

  • Pedestrian and collision alert with braking functions

  • Lane departure warning system

  • Lane and driving control assistant

  • Adaptive cruise control with stop/go functions

  • Lane departure warning system

  • Evasion aid

  • Cross traffic warning system

  • Side impact protection system

  • Wrong-way alert system

  • Reversing assistant

  • Parking assistant

  • Rear view camera

  • 260-degree camera

  • Electronic stability program 

  • Tyre pressure control system

Generally, the outgoing model of the 3 Series sedan is starting to be outdated in terms of the interior, unchanged since the 2012 model. The new-gen is expected to successfully fulfil its task of offering a top-notch cabin to maintain its competitiveness with other sedans in the same segment.

2019 BMW 3 Series

The new-gen BMW 3 Series is a breakthrough in terms of the interior 

3. BMW 3 Series Performance

The BMW 3 Series sedan offers a wide range of engine options. Upon going on sale, it will be offered with 6 engine variants: 320i, 330i, 318d, 320d, 320d xDrive and 330d.

The 320i and the 330i will get its power from a 2.2L 4-cylinder petrol motor which can be mated to an 8-speed AT. There are two states of tunes available. While the 330i’s motor is good for 184PS against 300Nm, the 320i’s engine can produce 258PS against 400Nm. In India, the old 3 Series model is offered only with the 330i version which gets the power from a 2.0L 4-cylinder petrol motor which can churn out a maximum power of 252PS and a peak torque of 350Nm, so there is an increase in power input in the 330i variant.

BMW 330i

Besides the BMW 320i, the 330i is a variant of the BMW 3 Series petrol version

The next three variants will be powered by a 2.0L 4-cylinder diesel motor which is coupled with an 8-speed AT unit. While in the 118d, the engine can deliver 150PS/320Nm, in the 320d and 320d xDrive, it can churn out 190PS/400Nm, the same power output as its predecessor.  The 320x Drive is the all-wheel drive version of the 320d.

BMW 320d

The 320d is one of the three variants which is powered by a 2.0L 4-cylinder diesel motor

Besides these two above-mentioned 4-cylinder motors, the German auto manufacturer will also offer a 6-cylinder diesel motor in the 330d variant which can generate a more impressive power output of 265PS/580Nm.

In 2019, BMW will also internationally introduce two more variants on the 3 Series: 330e and M340i XDrive. The 330e will be powered by a plug-in hybrid engine which is a combination of an electric and a petrol motor which can churn out a power range of 251PS - 292PS and an all-electric range of 60km per charge. In the meanwhile, the M340i variant will get its power from a 6-cylinder petrol motor which is mated to an 8-speed AT unit and can produce a power output of 264PS and 500Nm. With such an impressive performance, this variant will serve as an M performance version of this sedan.

BMW 320d running on road

The M340i variant will be an M performance version with an impressive power output

4. BMW 3 Series Launch Date, Price and Competition

The new BMW 3 Series will be introduced to the global market on 9 March 2019. So the India-bound model is expected to be launched after that, maybe at the end of the same year. Once launched in India, it is likely to be priced slightly more than the previous-gen model whose price is in the range from Rs 39.80 lakh to Rs 47.30 lakh (ex-showroom pan-India). At this price range, the luxury BMW sedan will compete against other vehicles in the same segment like the Jaguar XE, the Audi A4, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class and the Volvo S60.

The BMW 3 Series blue

The BMW 3 Series is expected to be a big hit of the German automaker for the Indian auto market

The seven-gen BMW 3 Series, with a sportier exterior design, a more modern cabin and various engine options, can be considered a breakthrough in the luxury sedan segment from the German automaker. What do you think about the new-gen BMW 3 Series and its prospects in India? Do you think once launched in India, it can become a popular sedan with Indian auto buyers. Share with us in the comment section below.

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