BMW has revealed the new facelifted 3 Series. Around a quarter of all current BMWs sold come from the 3 Series range. The model has been a sales boon for the German carmaker, with 14 million cars sold since production began with the E21 model in 1975.
The new saloon and touring models receive a subtle design change to their front and rear styling, while new materials and accents have been introduced on the inside in the interior cabin.
Under the bonnet, the majority of engines are completely new and include a total of four petrol engines and seven diesel engines. All the three-, four- and six-cylinder petrol engines, and the four-cylinder diesel units in the BMW 316d, BMW 318d and BMW 320d, are now sourced from the newly developed, modular BMW EfficientDynamics engine family.
Both saloon and touring models will be made available with a six-speed manual transmission or eight-speed Steptronic unit.
A plugin hybrid is also on the horizon. Dubbed the 330e, BMW claims it will offer a combined fuel consumption of 134.5 mpg and CO2 emissions of 49 g/km when it joins the range in 2016. It is powered by a 181 bhp 2.0-litre petrol engine combined with an 80 kW electric motor.
A combined output of 249 bhp and combined maximum torque of 310 lb-ft will give the 330e a 0-62 mph acceleration time of 6.3 seconds and a top speed of 140 mph, according to BMW. The car is also said to be able to travel up to approximately 22-miles in all-electric mode.
The new 3 Series will go on sale in the UK next month.
Source: BMW
