BMW has revealed the new 3 Series facelift. The new 3 Series will get beefier looks, cleaner engines and the option of a seven-speed twin-clutch transmission.
Styling revisions include fresh front and rear styling that picks up on the themes seen on BMW’s recently unveiled 7 Series.
Up front, the car gets a heavily profiled bumper, newly contoured bonnet and reworked headlamps with altered graphics. At the rear there are new tail lamps with a revised bumper. According to BMW’s design boss, Adrian van Hooydonk, the changes are intended to emphasise the car’s width.
The biggest mechanical change is the introduction of BMW’s seven-speed dual clutch transmission which launched in the M3 cabriolet. The 318d also gets the option of a new six-speed automatic.
The facelifted 3 Series also sees the introduction of BMW’s new ‘BluePerformance’ brand - the firm’s equivalent to Mercedes’ BlueTec. The first BluePerfomance car will be a 330d fitted with a NOx trap, which will meet the forthcoming EU6 emissions regulations, not due until 2011. All other engines are carried over from the current car. The 3.0 litre twin-turbo, 265 bhp, 6-cylinder diesel powered 335d will reach American shores.
Suspension and brakes are the same as in the current BMW 3 Series, but the rear track on the six-cylinder cars has been widened by 24mm.
Inside, the iDrive controller gets four selection buttons to reduce the complexity of its operation and there’s a new, larger colour monitor. In-car Internet access will also be available as part of BMW’s new ConnectDrive technology, which will also be seen in the new 7 Series. Other features include a modified arm rest making the electric window buttons easier to access and a new optional 80GB hard-disk.
Both M3 coupe, cabriolet and sedan will receive the same treatment but will go on sale after the regular 3 Series.
The revised 3 Series will go on sale in the UK later this year. Prices and specifications will be revealed nearer to its launch date.