THIS IS THE all-new, seventh-generation 3 Series. It is one of BMW’s most important core models and it was revealed for the first time in full at the Paris Motor Show.
Codenamed the ‘G20′, this generation 3 Series is bigger in all dimensions than the old Mk6 3 Series. It is 76mm longer (4,709mm), 16mm wider across the beam (1,827mm) and 1mm taller (1,442mm). The wheelbase is stretched by 41mm to 2,851mm while the track width of the front axle is increased by 43mm and the rear axle is increased by 21mm.
Other figures of note are the 55kg of weight the car has shed, its perfect 50:50 weight distribution, the bodyshell that has more torsional rigidity by up to 50 per cent and the drag coefficient is down from 0.26 to 0.23.
From launch there will be six engines available with an M Performance version and a plug-in hybrid variant arriving later in 2019.
There are two petrol models, a four-cylinder 320i (184hp/300Nm) and 330i (258hp/400Nm). Both are rear-wheel drive and have an eight-speed automatic transmission as standard.
The 320i version has a 0-100km/h time of 7.2 seconds, a top speed of 238km/h and claimed fuel economy of 5.7 litres/100km (49.6mpg).
The 330i version has a 0-100km/h time of 5.8 seconds, a top speed of 250km/h, and claimed fuel economy of 5.8 litres/100km (48.7mpg).
There are three diesel engines available with two different drive sources; a 318d, 320d, 320d xDrive and a six-cylinder 330d.
Power outputs are 150-, 190- and 265hp, and both the 318d and 320d come with a six-speed manual as standard, with the Steptronic auto an option, while the 320d xDrive and 330d are auto only.
The most economical is the 318d with a claimed fuel economy of 4.1 litres/100km (68.9mpg). The fastest is the 330d with a 0-100km/h time of 5.5 seconds and a top speed electronically limited to 250km/h.
There will also be a range of chassis options including M Sport suspension with lowered ride height and Adaptive M suspension. Other options include variable sport steering, M Sport brakes, electronically controlled M Sport differential for fully-variable locking effect in the rear differential and alloy wheels in sizes up to 19 inches.
The seventh-generation BMW 3 Series is expected to go on sale in early 2019 with prices announced later in October.
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