BMW 3 Series

The new 3 Series has a modern, clean-cut and tiered dashboard design, linked to a low-rising centre console (rotary gear selector).

Soft-/hard-touched, it sees leather ‘Vernasca’/Sensatec (320i M Sport, 330i M Sport, M340i xDrive M Sport Pro/330Li M Sport) upholstery in a single-tone (Black) colour scheme with contrast trimmings (Aluminium ‘Rhombicle’ Anthracite M - 320i M Sport, 330i M Sport, M340i xDrive M Sport Pro/‘Dark Graphite’ Matte, ‘Galvanic’ bezels - 330Li M Sport).

Centre-staged is the BMW Curved Display (one-piece - instrument cluster, infotainment), geometrical air-conditioning vents, and an ambient light system (‘Cascade’ ambient light bar).

Inclusively, the layout is ergonomically-arranged with accessibilities within easy reachability (driver-oriented, user-friendly).

One half of the BMW Curved Display, installed is a 12.3-Inch LCD fully-digital driver display (instrument cluster), with a BMW Heads-Up Display (HUD).

The system runs on the latest BMW Operating System 8.5 (BMW OS 8.5) and supports the BMW Live Cockpit Professional (BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant - voice recognition, command, gesture).

Practical storage areas. E.g., Storage Compartment Package (side door/seat back/armrest pockets, partitioned/caverned/under-stowage centre console spaces, glovebox).

Provided are four cup holders (two - front, rear), and four bottle holders (one - side doors).

Equipped are four USB ports (two - front, rear), two 12 V sockets (front, rear), and one wireless charger (centre console).

Weighing in at 1,590 KG (320i M Sport, 330i M Sport), 1,640 KG (330Li M Sport) and 1,800 KG (M340i xDrive M Sport Pro), the new 3 Series measures at 4,709 MM (320i M Sport, 330i M Sport), 4,819 MM (330Li M Sport), and 4,714 MM (M340i xDrive M Sport Pro) long, 1,827 MM wide, and with a wheelbase spanning 2,851 MM (320i M Sport, 330i M Sport, M340i xDrive M Sport Pro) and 2,961 MM (330Li M Sport).

Sportily-aerodynamic, its exterior parades a borderline-prowling-like stance, emphasised by sharply- and cleanly-cut contours.

The front-end sees a mildly-dipped bonnet, angular quarter panels, and a sculpted bumper (BMW kidney grille, lower air intakes - three-part).

Accentuations, body trimmings (Black), M Sport Package (320i M Sport, 330i M Sport, 330Li M Sport), M High-Gloss Shadowline Package (320i M Sport, 330i M Sport), M High-Gloss Shadowline Package with extended contents (330Li M Sport, M340i xDrive M Sport Pro), M Sport Pro (M340i xDrive M Sport Pro), M Aerodynamic Package (M340i xDrive M Sport Pro), and M Lights Shadowline Package (M340i xDrive M Sport Pro).

The side mirrors (dual-tone - Black-body-colour) are electronic-powered (auto-fold, adjust) with the Exterior Mirror package (automatic anti-dazzle, automatic dipping), blind-spot indicators (Blind Spot Monitor - BSM), and turn signals (LED).

Fitted are ventilated (front, rear) disc brakes. Variant-specific are M Sport brakes with coloured callipers (Blue - 330i M Sport, 330Li M Sport, Red - M340i xDrive M Sport Pro).

Aiding the setup is an Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) with Auto Brake Hold system.

The new 3 Series features the following sets of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS).

Under Driving Assistant, grouped are Active Cruise Control with Stop/Go, Lane Departure Warning with Lane Return, Lane Change Warning, Front Collision Warning with Brake Intervention, Rear Crossing Traffic Warning, Rear Collision Prevention, and Speed Limit Info.

Under Parking Assistant, grouped are Active Park Distance Control, Reversing Assistant, Reversing Assist Camera, Lateral Parking Aid, and Surround View system (remote 3D view - 360-degree).

Other systems. Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Brake Assist (BA), Electronic Brake-Force Distribution (EBD), Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Blind Spot Monitor (BSM), and Hill-Start Assist (HSA).

Passive safety includes six airbags (driver-passenger, front sides, front-rear curtains), seat belts (anchors, pretensioners, reminders), ISOFIX (two - outer-rear-seat), adaptive headlamps, high-beam assistant, parking sensors (six - front, rear), parking cameras (reverse, 360-degree), automatic anti-dazzle rear-view mirrors (interior/exterior), side mirrors (automatic dipping, BSM), acoustic protection for pedestrians (exterior loudspeaker), Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), door ajar warning, automatic-door locks (speed-sensing), automatic wipers (rain-sensing, intermittent), and anti-theft system (security alarm, immobiliser).

Four drive modes at the driver’s disposal (COMFORT, SPORT, SPORT+, ECO PRO). 

Each mode correlates with the BMW Iconic Sounds Electric, featuring driving sounds composed by Hans Zimmer.

Completing the BMW Curved Display, installed is a 14.9-Inch touchscreen central display (infotainment). 

The system runs on the latest BMW Operating System 8.5 (BMW OS 8.5) and supports the BMW Live Cockpit Professional (BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant - voice recognition, command, gesture), BMW Connected Package Professional (Apple CarPlay, Android Auto), BMW ConnectedDrive Services (intelligent emergency call, teleservices), Bluetooth and navigation.

Variant-specific, the entertainment is channelled via a Bowers and Wilkins sound system (18 speakers - 320i M Sport, 330i M Sport, 330Li M Sport) and a Harman Kardan sound system (16 speakers).

The new 3 Series harbours variant-specific powertrain setups.

Variants 320i M Sport, 330i M Sport and 330Li M Sport nestle a 2.0-Litre in-line four-cylinder 16-valve direct-fuel injection turbocharged engine (B48), producing 184 HP/135 KW and 300 NM (320i M Sport), and 258 HP/190 KW and 400 NM (330i M Sport, 330Li M Sport).

Variant M340i xDrive M Sport Pro nestle a 3.0-Litre in-line six-cylinder 32-valve direct-fuel injection turbocharged engine (B58), producing 387 HP/285 KW and 500 NM.

Power is transmitted to the rear (320i M Sport, 330i M Sport, 330Li M Sport) and all four (M340i xDrive M Sport Pro) wheels, via a Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD) system and an All-Wheel Drive (AWD) system.

Incorporated is a Variable Sport Steering system and an M Sport differential setup.

The fuel tank capacity is at 59-Litres.

The new 3 Series features these conveniences.

E.g., Comfort Access system (keyless entry, powered-tailgate (contactless), engine Start/Stop button), adaptive headlamps, high-beam assistant, parking sensors (six - front, rear), parking cameras (reverse, 360-degree), automatic anti-dazzle rear-view mirrors (interior/exterior), side mirrors (automatic dipping, BSM), acoustic protection for pedestrians (exterior loudspeaker), Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), door ajar warning, automatic-door locks (speed-sensing), automatic wipers (rain-sensing, intermittent), three-zone automatic climate control (rear-vents, rear-controls), steering wheels (multi-function, column adjustments, EPS), electronic-powered (driver-/passenger-multi-way, backrest width-adjust, driver-memory) M Sport/Comfort seats, armrests (front - centre console, rear - centre seat fold-out), panoramic glass roof/ glass roof (330Li M Sport/330i M Sport, M340i xDrive M Sport Pro), BMW Live Cockpit Professional, wireless charger, LED interior lighting (map, floor, welcome, ambient, boot), and an Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) with Auto Brake Hold system.

Propping-up the chassis are M Sport (320i M Sport, 330i M Sport) and Adaptive M (M340i xDrive M Sport Pro) suspensions, featuring a setup of double wishbone (front) and multi-link (rear).

Overall, it is solid and comfortable with a luxurious ride quality, refined and agile handling, and an electrifyingly smooth power delivery.

Good sound insulation, with all the NVH (noise, vibration, harshness) aspects of the build accounted for. 

The cabin is able to suppress wind, road and tyre noises well, making them barely noticeable at all speeds.