The BMW 3-Series has been a driving masterpiece since 1975. All through the years, it has received several updates and each introduction brought with it sheer driving pleasure and lots of equipment to enhance driving and comfort. BMW recently launched an all-new generation of the 3-Series after 8 long years in the GCC and it has the potential to challenge its rivals. BMW wishes to set a benchmark in this segment with the new 3-Series. Will it be able to live up to BMW’s wishes? Let’s take a closer look.
EXTERIOR
Unlike its rivals, the 3-Series looks exceptionally different than its predecessor with crisp details found on every angle. The head lamps have been entirely overhauled and have a slit at the bottom differentiating it from its earlier gen. The headlamps nicely integrate the iconic LEDs- a new signature element replacing the corona rings which gives the car a striking appeal and illuminate the road brightly. Thankfully, BMW hasn’t increased the proportions of the kidney grille overwhelmingly and include matte-black slats giving the car an athletic look. On the side, you will also find wedge-shaped air intakes followed by a simplistic bumper design having air intakes.
If you’re familiar with its predecessor, then you wouldn’t find the side profile of the new 3-Series particularly different. Sure, the car has grown in length and you might notice the elongated fenders and wheelbase but apart from that, visual updates are minimal. That’s because the 3-Series never needed a revised side profile. Following the typical BMW styling details, there are a couple of creases to prevent it from being called austere and they work well.
The rear too, is lively. BMW has refrained from using the tail lamps which did their duty in the past for many years in the 3-Series and its bigger sibling, the 5-Series and have gone for those units which look stubby and nice. The boot also has more substance and the curvy outline is a pleasant change. The wedge-shaped aluminium bits covering the reflectors is the only thing that feels ostentatious and could have been avoided. Overall, it is elegant and pleasant to look at when compared to its rivals. The car measures 4709 mm, 1827 mm and 1435 mm in length, width and height, respectively. The wheelbase is 2851 mm in length.
INTERIOR
The new 3-Series is available in many trims namely, the Standard, Sportline, Comfortline and the M Sport but all of them have one thing in common: a functional interior. BMWs might have always felt understated but that’s how the interior is supposed to be when developing the ultimate driving machine. The aluminium decorations on the car complemented by leather is a nice touch making the car look posh. In accordance with the newly launched models, the 3-Series also features a crisp layout for the interior.
New inclusions come in the form of a digital instrument cluster, a touch screen interface with higher resolution and rear AC vents as well a panoramic sunroof finally being a part of the standard equipment. The car continues to pamper you with features such as Auto headlamps, navigation, cruise control, heated and cooling function for the front seats, 360-degree camera, driving modes (Eco, Comfort, Sport, Sport Plus and Individual) and a new i-Drive interface. The car also comes with blind spot warning and voice command which has been augmented and can possibly perform every function by saying, “Hey BMW” making it a connected car as per BMW.
ENGINE AND PERFORMANCE
The top of the line version, M340i comes powered by a 3 liter inline-6 petrol engine churning out a meaty 374 hp and 500 Nm of torque. This BMW continues to be coupled with the 8 speed Steptronic transmission capable of pushing the car from naught to 100 Km/h in just 4.4 seconds making it blisteringly quick going by its segment. It also gets BMWs highly reputed xDrive all-wheel drive system and M Sport exhaust. The claimed combined fuel consumption is rated at 7.9 l/100 km for the M340i.
VERDICT
The new BMW 3-Series makes a giant leap forward than its precursor. It’s even gorgeous to look at with those crisp details on the outside and inside. The car comes with bigger orientation for the infotainment system, is loaded with features to the brim and in typical BMW fashion, should prove to be more engaging to drive. BMW has also focused hard on practicality and comfort which were the sore points of the previous gen. It has the credentials to give its rivals, the Audi A4, Mercedes-Benz C-Class and the Jaguar XE, sleepless nights. In fact, it wouldn’t come as a surprise if such a brilliantly engineered car becomes an everyday sight on our roads.
