BMW 3 Series gets facelift

BMWBMWGermany, 1918 > present87 models
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is unveiling an updated version of the 3 SeriesBMW BMW 3 Series Gen.6 [F30/F31]Germany, 2012 > present115 versions
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model. The German brand is offering a new range of engines as well as a revised chassis and lower CO2 emissions. Both Sedan and Touring bodystyles have been revamped.

In terms of design the new BMW 3 Series received small and subtle updates to give it a lower and wider appearance. The model gets new front and rear bumpers and revised headlights with two levels of LED-based lights.

Except for the one found in 330d, the whole range of engines of the 3 Series is completely new. Already available on the new new MiniMINI (BMW) MINI 3Germany, 2014 > present24 versions
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and the 2 Series Active TourerBMW 2 SeriesGermany, 2013 > present100 versions
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, the range now kicks off with the 318i, powered by a 1.5-litre turbo engine with 136hp. Although it is slower than the current entry-level version (320i) it is considerably more efficient with 116g/km of CO2 with an automatic transmission and 119g/km in manual version.

The four-cylinder petrol 184hp 320i and the 252hp 330i get the latest modular engine technology from BMW. The 340i keeps BMW's 3.0-litre six cylinder petrol engine on the 3 Series. It has a 326hp output and 450Nm and takes the 3 Series from 0 to 100km/h in 5.1 seconds.

On the diesel side of the range the BMW gets the 115hp 316d and 150hp 318d as starter versions. However the mainstream versions will be the 320d and 320d Efficient Dynamics with 190 and 163hp respectively. The 320 gets to 100km/h in 7.2 seconds in automatic trim and emits 106g/km of CO2 with both automatic and manual transmissions. The Efficient Dynamics version is 0.6 seconds slower but it goes under 100g/km in terms of CO2 emissions in automatic version (99g/km), while the manual version emits 102g/km. The 330d will be available in automatic version only. It has 258hp and 413Nm of torque and takes the 3 Series to 100km/h in 5.6 seconds, with 129g/km Co2 emissions.

The xDrive four-wheel drive versions will continue to be available with the 3 Series in the 320i, 320d and 330d versions. It will be standard on the 335d.

Next year BMW will be launching the plug-in hybrid version of the 3 Series. The 330e will combine the 320i petrol engine with a 109 electric motor and an eight-speed automatic transmission. The brand predicts that it will have overall CO2 emissions of just 49g/km. An updated version of the M3 is also planned for unveiling this autumn at the Frankfurt Motor Show.