Facelift and new diesel for BMW 3-Series

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Auto Trader NZ
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Published 3 September 2020

BMW has revealed an updated 3 Series range in Europe.

It says the new 3 Series Sedan and Touring (station wagon) models will be better to drive and will use innovative technology.

The cars are due here early next year.

Changes to the exterior styling, interior enhancements, and a new 3.0-litre diesel engine are the major changes. The front, rear and side styling places greater emphasis on the dynamic character lines along the side of the car, accentuated by reprofiled side skirts.

At the front, a new headlight cluster, new fascia panel and two muscular bonnet lines give the 3 Series a bolder, stronger look, highlighted by larger double kidney grilles.

Optional Bi-Xenon Adaptive Headlights incorporate new LED indicator lights.

Redesigned door mirrors offer a wider field of view.

Rear bumpers, taillights and the boot handle have been redesigned, the taillights adopting a more pronounced L-shape and incorporating LED elements.

The rear track has been widened as a result of suspension modifications and, depending on models, is up to 24 mm wider.

There are revised and enlarged cabin storage areas, new location for window lifts and the new generation iDrive with new ergonomic controller.

Increased iDrive functionality allows selection of options via turning, pressing and tilting the redesigned controller. Favourite buttons for greater personalisation, as well as extended functions for destination entry, trip planning and map display for the optional Professional Navigation system are highlights.

This system also incorporates an 80GB hard drive that allows music from MP3 players and CDs to be transferred across.

Under the more shapely bonnet, a newly developed in-line six-cylinder diesel engine is fitted to the BMW 330d. It has an aluminium block, third generation common rail direct injection with piezo injectors and a maximum injection pressure of 1800 bar.

The turbocharger has variable turbine geometry and generates 180kW and peak torque of 520Nm. It’s fitted with a diesel particulate filter and oxidation catalyst as standard, and complies with the EU 5 exhaust emission standard.
This engine delivers 0-100kph acceleration of 6.1 seconds and uses just 5.7 litres/100km.

All models are available with a new six-speed automatic transmission with optimised shift dynamics and minimised converter slip.

BMW Crash-activated dynamic head restraints are also fitted as standard to reduce the effects of whiplash in rear-end impacts.