Automotive

Published on October 2nd, 2018 | by Subhash Nair

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New BMW 3-Series Unveiled in Paris: Electronic Parking Brake, Laserlights and More

The seventh generation BMW 3-Series Sedan was shown at the Paris Motor Show today.

Here are some of the highlights:

Engine

6 engine variants available at launch.

Petrol variants: 320i (184hp, 300Nm) and 330i (258hp, 400Nm). Both are 2-litre, turbocharged, 4-cylinder engines.

Diesel variants: 318d (150hp, 320Nm), 320d (190hp, 400Nm), 320d with xDrive, 330d (265hp, 580Nm). 318d and 320d are 2-litre, turbocharged, 4-cylinder engines. The 330d uses a 3-litre, turbocharged, inline 6 engine.

Transmission options: 6-speed manual and 8-speed Steptronic

Over the course of the year, an ultra-sporty BMW M Performance version and an extremely efficient model with plug-in hybrid drive system will be added to the range.

Chassis

Noticeably sharper driving dynamics courtesy of extensively upgraded chassis technology, new damper technology, stiffer body structure and suspension mountings, wider tracks, minimised weight, a low vehicle centre of gravity and even 50 : 50 weight distribution.

Range of chassis options expanded to give extra sporting ability: M Sport suspension with lowered ride height, Adaptive M suspension, variable sport steering, M Sport brakes, electronically controlled M Sport differential for fully-variable locking effect in the rear differential, up to 19-inch light-alloy wheels.

Design

New interpretation of the familiar BMW sports sedan look uses the brand’s new design language. Clear lines and taut surfaces showcase the car’s modern aesthetic, sportiness and emotion-packed presence. Advantage, Sport Line, Luxury Line and M Sport models enable precise individualisation.

Optimised aerodynamics. Drag coefficient (Cd) reduced from 0.26 to 0.23 (BMW 320d). Progress underpinned by features including active air flap control, Air Curtains and an almost completely sealed underbody.

Standard specification gains full-LED headlights and stylishly darkened LED rear lights. LED headlights with extended features, Adaptive LED headlights with BMW Laserlight for non-dazzling high beam (with a range of around 530 metres) and LED front foglamps available as options.

Greater emphasis on driver focus and refined premium interior ambience. Clearly structured controls, precise use of forms and high-quality details convey modern dynamism and exclusivity.

More shoulder and elbow room in the front seats, rearward visibility significantly improved, rear compartment easier to get into and offering greater legroom, boot capacity of 480 litres with better usability than the predecessor model. Folding rear seat backrests split 40 : 20 : 40 as standard.

Significant increase in comfort, premium ambience and individualisation thanks to extensive additions to standard specification and innovative options. Newly designed sports leather steering wheel with multifunction buttons, new panel of buttons for light functions. New, classy design for the gear selector and the control panel around it on the centre console – which includes the iDrive Controller, start/stop button, the buttons for the Driving Experience Control switch, plus the now electrically operated parking brake.

LED interior lights come as standard, ambient lighting with Welcome Light Carpet as an option. Radio Professional with six speakers as standard, Harman Kardon surround sound system with 16 speakers optional. Two USB ports and Bluetooth interface as standard, telephony with wireless charging available as an option.

Newly designed seats for the driver and front passenger, optimised seating comfort in the rear, new optional Vernasca leather trim. High-quality materials with precision workmanship. New interior trim variants and instrument panel available in Sensatec. Optional glass roof with 100 millimetres longer transparent surface.

Safety

Optimised acoustic properties: Foam-filled A-pillars and acoustic glass for the windscreen as standard, doors with acoustic glass optional. Extensively expanded range of driver assistance systems paves the way to automated driving: Collision and Pedestrian Warning with Braking function, plus Lane Departure Warning system, now standard. Optional Driving Assistant Professional comprises systems including Active Cruise Control with Stop & Go function, Steering and lane control assistant (which helps guide the car through narrow channels), Lane Change Warning system, side collision protection, evasion aid, Cross-Traffic Alert, Priority warning and Wrong-way warning systems. New generation of the BMW Head-Up Display also available.

New ensemble of systems designed to make parking and manoeuvring easier is unmatched by any rival: Parking Assistant with automated longitudinal and lateral guidance for moving into and out of parking spaces, Reversing Assistant, Park Distance Control, rear view camera and 360-degree cameras.

Convenience

New BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant is an intelligent digital personality integrated into the car. No rival allows the driver to give such a system a name of their choice. The Personal Assistant is an expert on the car and also responds to natural voice commands to help the driver with numerous tasks, such as enhancing productivity and on-board entertainment.

Thoroughly revised control and display system: Standard specification includes instrument cluster with screen size increased from 2.7 to 5.7 inches and Control Display with screen diagonal up from 6.5 to 8.8 inches. Optional BMW Live Cockpit Professional comes with a fully digital 12.3-inch instrument cluster and 10.25-inch Control Display with consistently designed, situation-linked and customisable displays. New BMW Operating System 7.0 also optimises intuitive operation through multimodal operation (by touch with the Control Display, using the iDrive Controller or steering wheel buttons, and with gesture control or voice control).

Significantly expanded range of digital services from BMW Connected and BMW ConnectedDrive: Remote Software Upgrade keeps the car up-to-date. Parking Space Assistant makes looking for a free spot easier. BMW Digital Key for accessing the car and starting the engine via smartphone.


About the Author

Written work on dsf.my. @subhashtag on instagram. Autophiles Malaysia on Youtube.



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