New BMW 3 Series: more technology and exclusivity for the German saloon everyone was expecting

Saloons are presented as a segment threatened by the presence of SUVs, which are enjoying a huge boom in today’s market. Even so, some brands still continue to bet on this type of vehicle today, seeking a healthy coexistence between the veterans and the newcomers. BMW demonstrates this clear attitude with the renewal of the 3 Series, a vehicle that has been making history since its arrival on the market in 1975. Now, the German brand has just unveiled the new generation of one of its quintessential saloons, which arrives loaded with mechanical and technological novelties.

With the aim of revolutionising the market, BMW has decided to apply important modifications to this latest generation of the 3 Series, which goes by the designation G20. Now, with the use of the new design language and the latest technology applied to this new variant, BMW continues to aim to offer both its customers and its rivals a new 3 Series ready to keep making history like its predecessors.

A new elegant and attractive design

BMW has embraced these new design canons to bring the new 3 Series to life, which we have also seen applied to other models. These features show great similarities with those we can see on its big brother, the 5 Series, but the Bavarian brand has known how to endow its smaller saloon with great doses of personality.

On the one hand, we can notice how BMW has kept the essence of the 3 Series intact despite the novelties offered by the G20 version. The front is dominated by two imposing kidney grilles, a hallmark identity shared by every model in the brand’s range. However, BMW has wanted to go further and, to stand apart from the rest, has opted for much more streamlined and clean headlights which offer a more elegant and refined look than in previous generations.

At the same time, the fact that these sit in a symmetrical position to the front kidney grilles allows a much more imposing aesthetic with great doses of sportiness. The front splitter has also been entrusted with this mission, since this piece not only fulfils its corresponding aerodynamic function but is also capable of offering a much more aggressive character even with the most modest engines in this new 3 Series.

Regarding the rear, we find a pronounced diffuser that hints at the dynamism and efficiency of the new 3 Series. This is accompanied by two redesigned rear lights that give the German saloon a modern and up-to-date look. Last but not least, we can see a muscular rear bumper, which houses two real exhaust outlets, a detail that BMW bets on and that all motoring enthusiasts appreciate.

A sober, high-quality interior with the latest technology

The new BMW 3 Series has adopted the latest technologies the brand has been developing, but these are applied not only in terms of safety and mechanics, but also in its cabin. BMW has opted for a sober and clean interior, without great flourishes but conveying a high level of quality and attention to detail, something also reflected in the novelties incorporated into the latest generation of the German saloon.

The designers at BMW have opted for a more minimalist interior, where physical buttons are limited to just a few. On the one hand, we find a clean centre console, where the gear selector stands out -which adopts a new design- and the manual control for the infotainment system. Looking up, we notice that BMW has integrated new controls for the climate control, but the real novelties can be seen on the screen that sits serenely atop the dashboard.

This comes with dimensions of 10.25 inches, incorporates the brand’s latest innovations and, most importantly, can be controlled in four different ways. BMW has cleverly integrated several systems to navigate the different menus offered by its new infotainment system, so the driver can choose between the touch operation of the Control Display, the iDrive Controller, the steering wheel buttons, or voice and gesture control.

BMW has also wanted to take advantage of the arrival of this latest generation of the 3 Series to introduce a new personal assistant that responds to the phrase “Hello BMW”. It is called BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant and will allow the driver not only to learn a wealth of data about the mechanical condition of their 3 Series, but also to rely on this assistant to read text messages aloud. At the same time, the German brand plans to expand the functions of this new system, which will be updated gradually, thus allowing customers of the new 3 Series to have the latest technology.

Five engines for every taste

It is true that the German brand has done a great job on the aesthetics and technology of the new 3 Series, but it has also placed special emphasis on developing its engines. To begin with, BMW has decided to offer a total of five engines, which are distinguished by offering different power levels designed to meet all of its customers’ needs.

Over time we will witness how BMW incorporates mechanical novelties and more options that will turn to hybridisation and electricity as a lifeline, and even more sporty variants will be made possible but, for now, five options are available. On the one hand, we find the entry-level engine in the 3 Series range, which goes by the designation 318d.

This turbocharged four-cylinder diesel engine is capable of generating 150 CV of power and claims combined consumption of 4.5 – 4.2 l/100 km. If our intention is to buy a diesel but more powerful, we can always opt for the 320d and 330d, which offer 190 and 265 CV respectively.

If we want to go for petrol engines, the German brand offers two options: the 320i with 184 CV of power and the powerful 330i, capable of generating 258 CV. These engines are also complemented by the excellent fine-tuning of the new chassis of the BMW 3 Series G20, which boasts a 50:50 weight distribution, a lower centre of gravity and a diet that has allowed the German saloon to weigh 55 kilos less than the previous version. On the other hand, the drag coefficient has been reduced to 0.23, but that is not all.

Sporty options for the purists

For the first time in BMW’s history, dampers with a displacement function have been fitted regardless of the suspension chosen for the new 3 Series. This translates into a perfect balance between comfort and sportiness and, at the same time, body roll is reduced to provide optimal dynamism on the tarmac. To round off the package, the German brand offers as an option the M Sport suspension, an essential element for those customers who cannot wait for the more radical variants.

With this option, the new BMW 3 Series can lower its body height by up to 10 mm, allowing for a more precise and quicker cornering. At the same time, customers can combine this suspension with the M Sport brakes, which include four-piston calipers and, last but not least, the German saloon will offer a sport differential for the 330i and 330d versions.

It will be on 9 March 2019 that BMW gives the green light to production of the new 3 Series, which will be manufactured at the Munich plant. For now we do not know prices and release date for the coupé variant and the M-badged versions but, without a doubt, this new generation of the BMW 3 Series arrives to break all the moulds.

Technical specifications of this car

SedanBMW Serie 318 versions · from 50,200 €