All-new 2019 BMW 3 Series revealed
All-new G20 has been engineered to reassert the 3 Series' place as the driver's saloon
BMW has revealed its all-new 3 Series in Paris with the promise that it'll deliver as a driver's favourite thanks to a whole host of chassis upgrades and more M-fettling across the range. Acknowledging the growing heat from saloon competition, which includes rivals such as the Jaguar XE and Alfa Romeo Giulia, BMW has engineered more agility and playfulness into the 3 Series base, with the changes culminating in a new M340i variant that'll bridge the gap between the standard line-up and red-blooded M3.
More on that later, however, because first let's get to the nitty gritty. Why is BMW so confident in the handling of its sharp-looking new 3 Series? It says that the use of a longer and wider structure, which is the same one that's used by the 5 Series and 7 Series, has allowed for an all-new suspension setup. Up front there are MacPherson struts and at the back is a multi-link arrangement, but the springs are stiffer and the passive damping has been re-tuned to give the G20 a sharper but also more refined ride. To match, there's also a new steering system.
We know what you're thinking: this is going to ride too harshly for British roads. BMW has been keen to point out, though, that a significant portion of testing for the new car has taken place on UK tarmac, including some of the most challenging and technical roads of Wales. This isn't just because we buy a lot of 3 Serieses, either. BMW reckons that if you can make a car handle well on UK roads, you're probably on to a winner everywhere else as well. Sounds good, right?
For those wanting even more agility, there'll be optional M Sport suspension which sits the car 10mm closer to the ground, an optional active damping setup and limited-slip differential. Oh, and there'll be a DSC off mode so you can have some fun even in a non M-badged 3 Series. Although that's not to say the new G20 has been engineered as a hooligan, because the model's wider tracks ought to enhance stability and grip, a good thing with the power boosts on offer across the engine line-up.
On that subject, that launch the new 3 Series will come with a choice of two diesel variants, a 320d and all-wheel drive 320d xDrive, and one petrol, the 330i. The former pairing will produce 190hp and 295lb ft of torque, while the latter - which PH has driven in prototype form - will offer 258hp and 295lb ft to enable a 5.8 second 0-62mph time. There'll also be a 330d and a 330e iPerformance plug-in hybrid model later in 2019, but the variant we'll be most interested in is that new M340i.
As its name suggests, it'll share a turbocharged 3.0-litre straight six engine with the M140i and M240i to produce 340hp and 369lb ft - or so we expect, because BMW has yet to officially announce it. But we know it's coming. Like the two models with the same motor, the M340i will likely hide its potency behind a veil of understated styling, leaving space for the M3 - which is rumoured to be coming with more than 450hp - to get more steroidal treatment when it arrives later.
Other key things to note in the new 3 Series include a plusher interior, which gets higher spec materials across the range. A sports steering wheel is standard, while contrasting stitching can be optioned in on more variants, signalling BMW's intention to make the G20 3 Series a sportier model for all. You can also swap the instrument cluster dials for a digital screen, which allows customisation of menus including the shifting of the sat-nav map to this driver-facing display. Oh, and there are a whole host of new driver assist features that come directly from the 3 Series's larger siblings, including an automated function that can let the car drive out of parking spaces itself as standard.
Buyers can now add five options packs to their cars, ranging from an M Sport Plus option to Comfort, Premium Technology and Visibility. To simplify the line-up, there are just nine individual options available outside of these packs. If, like nobody, you opt for an options bare, base-model 3 Series, you'll need £33,610, which is a number BMW says leaves the car at about the same value as the old version, once you factor in the extra standard kit.
Many manufactures seem to live in a post Bangle world of unnecessary creases, and jumbled/ fussy details. I wish someone would have the courage to revert to cleaner lines....
...waits for comments about the door handles being different heights.
If one finds a 3 series too big, is a 1 or 2 series not sufficient?
Many manufactures seem to live in a post Bangle world of unnecessary creases, and jumbled/ fussy details. I wish someone would have the courage to revert to cleaner lines....
In the past I really liked BMW's - the E30, E36, E46, E34, E39 and E38's but modern ones, although excellent cars, just don't have the looks to make me love them.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
PH was late to the party.
It is interesting that BMW appear to be restricting the twin turbo variant of the B57 to a very small amount of vehicles, unless like with the 5 series BMW UK are artificially not bringing it over to the UK, due to lack of interest and sales (540D and M550D), which if memory serves will only leave the 740D, 840D and some of the 40D X range with the twin turbo B57 available on UK shores. Disappointing.
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