MANILA, Philippines - No other automobile has created a bigger impact in the luxury car segment than the BMW 3 Series. Since its launch in 1975, the “baby” BMW has sold over 12 million units, making it not only the bestselling BMW automobile, but the luxury segment’s bestseller for many years now. And just last week, Asian Carmakers Corporation (ACC), the official importer of BMW cars in the Philippines, has written the next chapter in the 3 Series history by launching the all-new, 6th-generation model.
The all-new 3 Series has a rich and illustrious history to live up to, and judging by the initial reaction, this model will have little problem. Just like the first 3 Series, the all-new 3 continues with the tried-and-tested concept of offering a compact body with an elegant design, powerful and modern engines, a classic rear-wheel-drive set-up, and sporty suspension tuning. The result is a car with unrivalled driving dynamics and agility. Additionally, the 3 Series introduces systems developed under the BMW EfficientDynamics strategy giving this car the lowest fuel consumption and emissions in its class.
Introduced for the first time in the 1 Series, the 3 Series is now available in three distinct lines: Sport Line, Luxury Line, and Modern Line; all emphasizing the different facets to the 3 Series in a very distinct and individual way. Careful consideration has been done to embody and embrace both exterior design elements and interior material selection to achieve the best mix of value, design coherence and expressiveness.
Locally, ACC is offering the all-new 3 Series in 320d and 328i variants. The former will come in three different lines—Sport Line, Luxury Line, and Modern Line while the latter will solely come in Sport Line.
The BMW 320d and 328i Sport Line comes with eye-catching exterior features such as high-gloss black accents from the front bumper, side mirror and B-pillar trim, accentuating the appearance of the 3 Series Sedan. The trademark kidney grille features eight black slats with a chrome-colored surround to give a sporty and alert look. Size 17- (320d) or 18- (328i) inch light-alloy wheels complete the athletic look.
Inside, the Sport Line comes with contrasting black and red accents while the standard sport seats may be ordered in three upholstery types and in four colors.
Meanwhile, for those who want their 3 Series a bit more laid back, there’s the 320d Luxury Line. Here, the 3 Series has been dolled up with chrome from the kidney grille (11 fine slats) to accents in the front and rear bumpers. As with the Sport Line, the B-pillar and window guide are finished in high-gloss black but with added chrome on the window frame and weather strips. The sole wheel of choice is a special multi-spoke 17-inch alloy wheel which accentuates the stylishness of the 3 Series Sedan.
Inside, the 320d Luxury Line gets high-gloss wood strips and seats with distinctive stitching and a choice of two upholstery materials in four classically elegant colors.
Lastly, the 320d Modern Line emphasizes a high-class, contemporary character with satin-finished aluminum embellishing the car. The kidney grille, front air intakes, front and rear bumpers are filled with satinated aluminum elements while the 17-inch turbine-style wheels strengthen the car’s overall impression.
Inside, the 320d Modern Line benefits from an interior filled with strong contrasts giving a harmonious lightness.
All BMW 3 Series models come standard with BMW ConnectedDrive, making sure this car features the most advanced levels of infotainment. All 3 Series models offer high functionally interface technology allowing the driver and passengers to use a variety of music players as well as Bluetooth-enabled devices in the all-new 3 Series.
Like always, the all-new BMW 3 Series accentuates the brand’s sporting character with its athletic overall impression. Particularly striking are its wider track, sweeping bonnet, short front overhang, long wheelbase, and set-back greenhouse allowing the 3 Series to project the dynamic allure of BMW in a very concentrated form.
The larger dimensions of the all-new 3 Series also allows for increased interior room, particularly for the rear occupants who benefit from an additional 15 millimeters while headroom is up by 8 millimeters. The rear trunk has been increased by 20 liters and offers an optional 40/20/40 split-folding rear seats for added flexibility when transporting bulky objects.
The cornerstone of the BMW 3 Series has always been its performance, and the all-new model doesn’t disappoint. It boasts of improved vehicle handling and enhanced driving pleasure thanks to a longitudinally-mounted engine, rear-wheel drive, and 50/50 weight distribution.
The 328i also comes with an all-new 2.0-liter powerplant with BMW’s TwinPower Turbo technology. All in all, it develops 245 horsepower and 350 Nm of torque available from as low as 1,250 rpm. This pushes the 328i to 100 km/h from a standstill in just 5.9 seconds while returning 15.65 km/L.
Clearly, the all-new 3 Series continues the line’s tradition of offering the best that BMW has to offer. Undoubtedly, this model sets new benchmarks in terms of sporting prowess, elegance, and comfort.
“If there is such a thing as a quintessential BMW, it is without doubt the BMW 3 Series. The 3 Series is everything a sports sedan should be, and for years it has stood undisputed at the summit of the premium midsize segment,” said Maricar Parco, ACC President.
“Since it made its debut in 1975, more than 12 million customers around the world have taken ownership of a BMW 3 Series. Backed up with its impressive heritage, innovations, aesthetics and driving dynamics, we are confident that the Filipino market will greatly welcome the all-new BMW 3 Series just like its predecessors,” she added.
Prices for the all-new BMW 3 Series start at P3,490,000 for the 320d while the 328i retails for P4,290,000.
Highlights
• The first 3 Series with an “F” model designation (F30) which replaces the previous generation E90
• Powered by a new family of engines under the BMW EfficientDynamics program. Headlined by an all-new 2.0-liter turbo 4-cylinder engine in the 328i.
• Debuts a new 8-speed automatic on all variants.
• First 3 Series to adapt distinct lines—Sport, Luxury, and Modern to add individuality to potential owners
• It is 93 mm longer, 6 mm wider, and 8 mm taller than its predecessor. The wheelbase is longer by 50 mm. Trunk space is bigger by 20 liters.
• Even though the new 3 Series is bigger and has more standard equipment than its predecessors, it is lighter than the model it replaces.