BMW 3 Series Family Gets Minor Updates for 2016 Model Year
The updated BMW 3 Series cars are here. There are minor updates throughout the range, but still the emblematic car family look stunning. The 3 Series has been an icon for over 40 year and in its sixth generation it continues to set standards for design, dynamic excellence and efficiency. New for the 2016 model year are some changes in the design, the advanced technologies featured and some engine range. Available in sedan and touring forms, I must admit that the 3 Series are more attractive than ever before.
Exterior
In terms of exterior changes, the updated model range receives various improvements. At the front, we see new aprons with redesigned air intakes. As an option, the car gets the Active Cruise Control (ACC), which has sensors integrated into the central air intake. The most prominent features here are the refreshed headlights and the LED daytime driving lights, while the full-LED headlights come as an option.
At the back, the new thing is the design of the rear apron, which features Line-specific trim element. Just like at the front, the car gets standard LED rear lights, further highlighting the sporting nature of the 3 Series.
Interior
The interior is updated via chrome highlights for the controls, air vents and central control panel. In fact, the centre console is entirely new and features sliding cover for the cupholders. Of course, BMW is offering a wide range of options, which can make the car as individual as one wishes.
Engine Range
There are exactly four petrol and seven diesel units available. They develop range from 116 hp (85 kW) to 326 hp (240 kW) and can be coupled with a six-speed manual gearbox and an eight-speed Steptronic transmission. The latter comes as a standard on the BMW 330d, BMW 335d and BMW 340i Touring. In addition, the customer can choose whether to drive a rear-wheel drive or xDrive intelligent all-wheel drive BMW.
Precisely, the three-, four- and six-cylinder petrol engines are now sourced from the BMW EfficientDynamics engine family. The four-cylinder diesel engines include revised turbochargers, while the three-cylinder petrol engine is an entirely new option for the 3 Series.
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The four-cylinder petrol engine makes a debut in the BMW 320i Sedan and 320i Touring, offering a combined fuel consumption starting at 5.3 liters per 100 km and emitting CO2 as little as 124 g/kg.
Another premiere is making the four-cylinder unit in the BMW 330i Sedan and 330i Touring with a fuel consumption of 5.5 l/100 km and CO2 emissions of 129 g/km, as well as the six-cylinder petrol unit in the BMW 340i Sedan and 340i Touring. The latter has a combined fuel consumption rating, starting at 6.5 l/100 km and CO2 emissions beginning at 152 g/km.
Impressive are the figures of the 320d EfficientDynamics Edition Sedan, which has a fuel consumption of 3.8 l/100 km and CO2 emissions of 99 g/km, and which develops 163 hp (120 kW).
Technology
Navigation system Professional and LTE mobile technology are the features that are entirely new for the 3 Series. The full-color BMW Head-Up Display shows all information in the driver's field of vision. In addition, the new BMW 3 Series is the first model to support the fastest current mobile technology standard (LTE). What is more, Parking Assistant feature will help drivers to make automatic parallel parking.
BMW 3 Series family includes the Sedan, M Sport Sedan, M3, 320d Touring and its EfficientDynamics Edition. The models will go on sale in July, while pricing will be announced at a later date.
Source: BMW
