The new BMW 3 Series: in pursuit of perfection

BMW gets down to work and gives us important details on the long-awaited new 3 Series G20, which seems set to be based on the F30, the model that starred in the previous generation and was a resounding success.

The new and long-awaited 3 Series G20 from BMW, that is, its most prestigious and famous range of vehicles, has the task of surpassing the resounding success of the previous generation with the F30.

The F30 represented the most dynamic and best-selling generation of cars in that segment. Absolutely extraordinary achievements that are difficult to surpass, which is why expectations are so high.

The new 3 Series will go on sale in March 2019 at a price starting from $40,200 and £33,610, which translates to roughly €38,000. The most basic model will be the 320d; in the United States, however, the entry model will be the 330i.

The new models will be slightly longer than their predecessors, at a total of 4,709 mm. They will also be 16 mm wider and 1 mm taller. The track width has also grown by 41 mm, making it the longest in its class.

Visually, the new G20 range is more aggressive than the F30, thanks in part to the lines that feature on its front and its grille. Customers will be able to choose from 2 non-metallic colours and 10 metallic variants, among which is Vermont Bronze metallic and the new Portimao Blue metallic, which will be exclusive to the M Sport version.

A complete and “intelligent” interior

The technological array deployed in the interiors of the new 3 Series is unmatched and, in fact, aims to become one of the benchmarks in this respect.

It will feature an intelligent AI assistant, with which, using voice commands, we can request actions affecting the vehicle to interact with its system, or even connect to the cloud and obtain information without taking our eyes off the road.

If you are interested in learning more about this assistant, we recommend you visit this article.

Among other interesting interior options, we will find up to 11 colours to personalise it, ambient lighting, a head-up display, a rear camera or even the option of a sports leather steering wheel and an BMW 8.3-inch Live Cockpit.

The M sport version will include all of the aforementioned additions but with some differences. For example, it will come equipped with sports seats, the M steering wheel and gearbox, exclusive aluminium parts, heated seats, and a 12.3-inch screen together with the new BMW ID7 operating system.

Of course, it will also feature all of the most useful driving assistance systems to date, and will incorporate technologies such as eCall or real-time satellite location, which allows, among other things, obtaining real-time traffic information.

Cars designed to be enjoyed behind the wheel

If there is one thing that stands out about the 3 Series, it has always been the sensations it has managed to convey at the wheel over all these years. The dynamism of its characteristic rear-wheel drive or the unmistakable sound of its engines.

To preserve and even improve these sensations, the new 3 Series will be provided with a wide range of engine options, to suit all kinds of driving styles.

As for the 320d, we are dealing with a four-cylinder Twin Power Turbo 2.0 engine that produces a total of 187 CV and 400 Nm of torque. It will be capable of going from 0 to 100 km/h in just 6.8 seconds with the automatic option and 7.1 with the manual, both very positive figures for a diesel engine of these characteristics.

On the other hand, the 330i will have 255 CV and 400 Nm of torque, which gives it the ability to reach 0 to 100 km/h in 5.8 seconds.

The M sport versions of the 3 Series will come with more enthusiastic engine options, for all those lovers of speed and of the characteristic rear-wheel drive of BMW.

The M340i and the M340i xDrive M Performance will reach the market in spring 2019. They will feature six-cylinder inline engines producing 382 CV and 500 Nm of torque, achieving 100 km/h in 4.2 seconds.

Prices

In Europe, we only know the prices of three models so far:

320d: €38,000, 320 xDrive €43,000 and 330i €45,500.