It might be 45 years old, but the BMW 3 Series is still bang up to date thanks to a new design refresh that’s just been unveiled.
The 3 Series is, quite frankly, one of the most iconic and important cars on UK roads, and often the go-to vehicle for business lease customers.
Key to the 3 Series’ latest makeover is highlighting the car’s ‘sporting ability’, says the German firm. And the big changes here are to the front and rear end.
At the front there are larger air intakes, a front apron with a greater emphasis on a ‘sporty appearance’, redesigned, slimmer headlights and a more aggressive new kidney grille.
At the back you’ll find a new rear apron, wheel arches that are slightly more flared, and larger diameter tailpipes. You now also get, as standard, BMW’s ‘M High-gloss Shadowline trim’ and 17 inch alloys.
There are changes to the interior, too.
The cabin gets BMW’s eye-catching curved display as standard, comprising a 12.3 inch info screen as well as a large control display, which seamlessly blend into one.
A BMW spokesperson adds:
“This cutting-edge cockpit design has progressive digitalisation at its heart and enables the number of buttons and controls to be significantly reduced in favour of touch and voice control.”
An eight-speed ‘Steptronic’ transmission also now comes as standard on all cars, as does three-zone automatic climate control and sat-nav.
Engines wise, there’s a host of powertrains up for grabs, from petrol and diesel 48V mild-hybrids to powerful plug-in hybrids. Power wise, the range runs from 150 hp up to 374 hp with the proper ‘M’ cars - the M340d diesel and M340i petrol. Not sure which fuel type to go for? Take a look at our guide to figure out which fuel type suits you.
A BMW spokesperson adds:
“Mild hybrid technology brings particularly rapid response and increased efficiency to the six-cylinder in-line petrol engine and the four diesel units.”
The 330e plug-in hybrid is a particular highlight, offering power of 292 hp as well as up to 217 mpg and a range of up to 38 miles using electricity alone.
BMW ‘xDrive’ all-wheel-drive is standard on the range-topping models but can also be added as an option with the 320i, 320d and 330e.
Standard fit driver assistance and safety tech includes Front Collision Warning with brake intervention, Cruise Control with brake function and Lane Departure Warning with lane return.
Meanwhile options include lane change warning, the BMW Head-Up Display and Driving Assistant Professional, which brings you BMW’s Steering and Lane Control Assistant and the Active Cruise Control system with Stop&Go function, Automatic Speed Limit Assist, the route monitoring function and traffic light detection.
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