Bread-winning Bimmer evolves with sleeker looks, bigger body and better fuel economy
- Should Chris Bangle be re-hired?
When the Bangle was in charge of the drawing board, the ex-chief designer was criticised for making all BMWs look so different from each other and so radical compared to its competitors.
Today, successor Adrian Van Hooydonk is trying to introduce a more conservative family look to Munich's offerings, hence explaining the headline of this story.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, as they like to say, so be your own judge on how the all-new 3-series _ codenamed F30 and now in its sixth generation _ looks here in these first official pictures.
- Okay. Is it bigger than before?
Three’s cockpit is driver-oriented.
Yes. Although not as long at 4,624mm as an Audi A4, the 3-series has the lengthiest wheelbase of 2,810mm in its class, the other chief rivals being the Lexus IS and Mercedes-Benz C-class.
BMW claims merits of a better cabin room and bigger boot, whose capacity can now be increased by folding the rear seats in 40:20:40 manner.
And note how familiar the driving cockpit looks to most other BMWs currently on sale. There will be three new trims available: Sport (black colour and red detailing), Luxury (chrome and wood panels) and Modern (aluminium).
In spite of a bigger body, BMW says the new 3-series is some 40kg lighter than the E90 predecessor and boasts a 10% stiffer shell.
- So it must be even better to drive than before...
Yes, according to the German suits. The front and rear tracks are wider to allow for a better balance between handling and ride. It was sporty to drive in the E90, but the car had a firm ride and heavy steering, especially on Thai roads.
There's a new electric-mechanical power steering and, as an option, the so-called variable sports steering to make manouevres in city-driving easier.
We'll get to see how the new 3-series drives on the road when Life goes for a first steer in December at its international driving trials in Spain.
- Okay. What about power?
Now featuring across the range is turbo technology. The initial line-up consists of the 306hp 3.0-litre inline-six (335i) and 245hp 2.0-litre inline-four (328i) petrol heads, the latter one just announced in the 528i (as reported last Friday in Life).
Interestingly, the 328i has a better performance and economy balance than the 335i. At 5.9sec, the 328i is just 0.4sec slower from 0-100kph than the 335i, yet is far more frugal at 15.6kpl than the 12.7kpl rating of the 335i.
The diesel range comprises today's 184hp 2.0-litre (320d), good for 22.2kpl, and an even more economical, detuned 163hp version (320d Efficient Dynamics) of it yielding a cooler 24.4kpl.
The reason why the 320d sips less fuel than in the E90 model is due to new eight-speed automatic (whose top gear allows for 100kph coasting at only 1,600rpm), automatic stop-go, Eco driving mode and brake energy regeneration. In fact, all of these are standard across the range.
BMW has also announced that hybrid tech will come to the 3-series late next year to be called ActiveHybrid 3. No technical details have been released yet.
- Which and when is it coming to Thailand?
Although right-hand-drive vehicles will be available in February next year, a couple more months would be required for BMW to fit new tooling at its Rayong plant. If it doesn't assemble the 3-series locally, it can't compete with the C-class archrival.
The crucial engines will be those displacing less than 2.0 litres and developing no more than 220hp to enjoy the lowest excise tax. That leaves us with just the 320d on the 2.5-3 million baht frontier.
But by the time BMW is set to introduce the Thai-assembled 3-series, there should be the 184hp 320i.
And who knows, BMW may hope to plug the gap by launching either 323i or 325i nomenclature for a mid-power turbo version producing anywhere between 200-220hp to go head-to-head with the C250 CGI.
Also to watch out for would be 325d (218hp 2.0-litre twin-turbo diesel) and the 318d/318i misers.
The latter duo is deemed necessary to ensure a healthy battle in the 2-2.5 million baht sector.
Rear lights are similar to those on 5-series.
THE BLOODLINE
E30:1983-89
The 3-series gets a four-door saloon body for the first time, unlike the E21 predecessor that only came with two-door coupe profile. "Skinny" bumpers were a must among Thai enthusiasts.
E36:1991-98
Third-gen 3-series ditches circular lights in favour of rectangular ones. Six-cylinder motor of 325i proved to be hoot to drive, although four-pot 318i was the real seller.
E46:1998-2005
A mild evolution over the E36, the E46 moved the game forward for the 3-series in Thailand with a locally assembled 330i sitting on top of its range when it was facelifted at mid-life.
E90:2005-11
Diesel-powered 320d joins the Thai lineup for the first time. The 2004 excise tax revamp eventually saw BMW putting the focus on small capacity engines, explaining the demise of the 325i and 330i.
Credit: Bangkok Post (www.bangkokpost.com)
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