BMW this afternoon revealed its new generation 3 Series, writes Brian Byrne from Munich, showing a car that is bigger, lighter and more efficient than the outgoing version. Prices in Ireland will start at €34,180 when the full model range arrives.
The first cars arrive in Ireland in February, when the 320d will begin the available range at €39,560.
There will be four engines at launch, and 4WD and hybrid versions are to be offered later. Amongst the new car's options is an 8-speed automatic gearbox, which will be available across the range.
The public debut of the car will be at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit in January.
It is the sixth generation of what BMW claims to be the world’s best-selling premium saloon, and the car is responsible for one-fifth of the company’s global sales.
Top of the range at launch will be the BMW 328i Saloon with a 5.9 seconds 0-100km/h capablity and CO2 emissions of 149g/km—the automatic is even cleaner, with 147g/km.
The key car for the Irish market, the 320d saloon, has a 7.5 seconds sprint capability and emissions of 120g/km (118g with the automatic). An EfficientDynamics version will offer emissions as low as 109g/km.
By March 2012 BMW will have eight versions of the new 3 Series Saloon with CO2 emissions at or below 120g/km.
All versions feature Drive Performance Control—a switch which allows the driver to swap between up to four driving modes, from sporty to extremely economical.
Auto Stop-Start is fitted to all ED versions, manual and automatic, along with Brake Energy Regeneration, on-demand control of engine ancillary components and tyres with less rolling resistance.
Weight has been reduced by up to 50kg compared with the previous model, while the drag coefficient is down to as low as 0.26 thanks to optimised aerodynamics.
Stylewise the car offers better proportions, pronounced wheel arches, headlamp units which blend into the double-kidney grille to form a continuous band across the front of the car and air inlets beneath the headlights.
The new 3 Series Saloon is 93mm longer than the previous model and 6mm narrower. It also has a 50mm longer wheelbase. There is 15mm more knee room and 8mm more headroom in the rear, while the height of the rear door and its opening angle have both been increased. Luggage space has increased by 20 litres to 480 litres.
The first ever 4WD 3 Series in RHD format will be introduced towards the end of 2012, about the same time as the ActiveHybrid version. This pairs the 335i’s 306hp six-cylinder engine with 40kW electric motor.
