The New BMW 3 Series Sedan and Sports Wagon Life Cycle Improvement highlights:
• New 340i Sedan features new 320 horsepower TwinPower Turbo inline six-cylinder.
• Standard Sport Line on the 328i, 328d and 340i models (including xDrive).
• New Track Handling Package available for gasoline-powered models.
• Available navigation system now with over-the-air map updates.
• LED headlights now available (optional 320i, 328i, 328d and standard on 340i).
• New 330e first-ever plug-in hybrid 3 Series announced.
The BMW 3 Series accounts for about a quarter of all BMW sales worldwide. It is the company’s most successful model line ever, with over 14,000,000 sold since it was first introduced forty years ago. The current sixth-generation 3 Series is halfway through its anticipated model lifespan, so it is time for what BMW calls a life cycle impulse, and what others refer to as a facelift.
This “facelift” is more than just a skin-deep revision of the 3 Series’ looks, however. In fact, most of the changes, other than the front and rear lighting and fascias, are where you can't see them. But you can feel them. The big news is the introduction of the BMW 340i with its new inline six and the announcement of the first-ever 3 Series plug-in hybrid, the BMW 330e.
Under the skin we find new front struts, new rear damper technology, and redesigned electric power steering. The 3 Series Sedan and Sports Wagon get a redesigned front with redesigned headlights, which include standard full-LED headlights on the 340i. They’re optional on other models. The rear of the car gets a new look from its LED tail lights.
The 3 Series—the heart of the BMW brand.
BMW rolled the first 3 Series off the Milbertshofen assembly line on May 2, 1975, even while the venerable 2002 was still being produced as a 1976 model. With the factory designation code E21, the first 3 Series came to North America in 1976 as the 1977 BMW 320i, It was powered by a two-liter, four-cylinder, 110 horsepower engine. By 1983, BMW had sold almost 1,400,000 of them worldwide. The second-generation 3 Series—the E30—introduced us to a convertible and a four-door model. In 1988, we saw the first all-wheel drive E30—the 325iX. Generation three was the E36, which dominated the North American market from 1991 to 1999. It provided more passenger room, perfect 50/50 weight distribution, superb handling, and more power with its new three-liter inline six making 189 horsepower. The E46 generation, which sold in the U.S. from 1998 to 2006, increased performance and added a sport wagon to the lineup, a first for the U.S. (not counting the grey market). Generation five arrived as the E90 BMW 3 Series, also with a three-liter inline six but now with 255 horsepower. TwinPower Turbo technology was introduced in the 335i. In 2011, BMW brought us the current 3 Series—the F30—now with four- and six-cylinder engines, all turbocharged.
Powertrain and chassis.
Sportier and more efficient.
The new BMW 3 Series Sedan and Sports Wagon can be had with gasoline engines with horsepower ranging from 180 to 320, and a diesel engine with 180 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. The 340i’s new modular BMW EfficientDynamics inline six has the latest BMW TwinPower Turbo technology.
Here’s what BMW says about the its new BMW EfficientDynamics modular engine: “It will share a common design blueprint, with 3-, 4- and 6-cylinder inline cylinder arrangements, a displacement per cylinder of 500 cc and very lightweight, thermally optimized all-aluminum construction. The crankcase is very rigid due to its closed-deck design—which means that the cylinder water jacket is closed at the top—while thermally joined, high-strength cylinder liners with twin-wire, arc-sprayed coating save weight, allow greater thermal transfer due to the thinner cylinder wall thickness and reduce internal friction.”
The new BMW 340i Sedan inline six-cylinder gasoline engine.
The BMW 340i is the first model to get the all-new inline six-cylinder B58 engine. The three-liter B58 replaces the N55 in the previous 335i, and produces a maximum of 320 horsepower between 5,500 and 6,500 rpm, a 20-horsepower improvement over the 335i. Peak torque of 330 pound-feet is available from 1,380 rpm. With the eight-speed Steptronic transmission, the new BMW 340i makes the zero-to-60 run in 4.8 seconds. Add xDrive and it gets there two-tenths quicker. All 340i models are electronically limited to 155 mph. The EfficientDynamics six-cylinder engine comes with the latest generation TwinPower Turbo technology, which uses a twin-scroll turbocharger, High Precision Injection, Double-VANOS variable camshaft timing, and Valvetronic fully variable valve lift.
Improved manual and automatic transmissions.
In the old days, “standard” and “manual” were synonymous when it came to transmissions. Not so any more. The standard transmission on the new BMW 3 Series is an eight-speed automatic, but all is not lost for those drivers who want to shift for themselves. A six-speed manual transmission is a no-cost option on the 320i, 328i, 340i, and 340i xDrive models. Apparently, diesel drivers are out of luck.
The six-speed manual transmission on 340i models has a dual-mass flywheel with centrifugal pendulum absorbers. This transmission counteracts uneven running on high-torque engines to allow for smoother gear changes. The six-speed also is available with a rev matching function, which automatically blips the throttle on downshift, which could help those drivers who have not mastered the heel and toe method.
The updated eight-speed Steptronic automatic transmission features a wider gear ratio and reduced torque converter slip during shifts. BMW has also attempted to improve damping of engine irregularities. For more spirited driving, the Steptronic has a Sport+ mode that lets the driver take the engine all the way to the rev limiter, and also to perform multiple sequential downshifts. The eight-speed Steptronic Sport Automatic transmission with steering wheel paddle shifters is standard on 328i, 328d and 340i models.
With the automatic transmission, drivers can choose between sporty and efficient. Fuel mileage can be improved by using the coasting mode in Eco Pro. When the driver lifts off the throttle at higher speeds, when going downhill at speed for example, the transmission is automatically decoupled from the engine to save fuel and eliminate unwanted engine braking at high speed.
BMW xDrive intelligent all-wheel drive system.
The xDrive all-wheel drive system will be available on the new BMW 3 Series Sedan.
Sporty, agile, and comfortable suspension.
Year in and year out, the BMW 3 Series has been the model that the rest of the motoring world looked to as the benchmark driver’s sport sedan. Mid-cycle changes in the 3 Series suspension are designed to keep it that way. These include a new chassis geometry, new front struts with five-bolt upper anchor points (versus three previously), redesigned electric power steering, new rear damper technology, and updated Dynamic Stability Control.
BMW says the retuned suspension improves both transverse and longitudinal dynamics under all load conditions, and can be felt in reduced roll, improved directional stability, and more precise steering. You get this in the standard suspensions as well as the M Sport Suspension and the Adaptive M Suspension options. In the Adaptive M Suspension, the dampers are electronically controlled and allow individual adjustment of the car’s dynamic responses at the touch of a button. The system continuously monitors longitudinal and lateral acceleration, speed, and steering angle and adjusts the dampers to match road characteristics and the driver’s input.
Track Handling Package.
BMW will offer a Track Handling Package only on the gasoline engine models. Again, diesel drivers are out of luck. The package will have Variable Sport Steering, Adaptive M Suspension, and M Sport Brakes with high temperature Euro brake pads mounted to blue calipers. Completing the package are 18-inch light alloy wheels in Orbit Grey with Michelin Super Sport tires. Nineteen-inch wheels are an option on the 340 models.
Design and Equipment
New halogen headlight design with full-LED lights.
The new Halogen Headlights can be ordered with LED daytime running lights. Full LED headlights are standard on 340i models, and are available as an option for the 328i and 328d.
New width-enhancing effect and stronger visual presence.
Broader side air intakes in the front apron give the new BMW 3 Series Sedan and Sports Wagona wider look. The more intricate structure of the central air intake also allows the radar sensor for the Active Cruise Control (ACC) to be integrated more discreetly.
The lines in the back of the car have been updated. The newly designed rear lights are full-LED units. Integrated LED brake lights raise safety another notch thanks to their faster response. The two-piece LED indicators form a horizontal band of light across both sections of the rear lights and provide extremely even and consistent light. They stretch into the trunk lid (or the tailgate on the BMW 3 Series Sports Wagon).
The BMW 340i’s exhaust system has individual tailpipes on the left and right, while the 320i and 328d models come with twin tailpipes. The 320i and 328i get a newly designed 17-inch wheel. Eighteen-inch wheels are optional. The 340i gets eighteen-inch wheels standard but has an option for nineteen-inch wheels and performance tires.
Options and Packages.
Elements of the previous Sport Line are now standard on the 328i, 328d ,and 340i (including xDrive models). These include high-gloss exterior components such as black kidney grills, black B-Pillars, and a black high-gloss element on the rear bumper. The tailpipe trim is black chrome.
The Sport Line also includes an anthracite headliner and Sports Seats with side-bolsters. Saddle Brown Dakota Leather with dark brown highlights is available in all lines, not just the Luxury package.
The M Sport Package features the M Aerodynamic Package, an M leather steering wheel, and M Sport suspension.
The Premium Package for the 328i and 328d models includes Comfort Access, LED headlights, lumbar support, moonroof, and Sirius Satellite radio with a no-cost one-year subscription. Premium Package equipment is standard on the 340i.
The new BMW 3 Series will come in twelve exterior colors. New paint options include Mediterranean Blue Metallic, Platinum Silver Metallic, and Jatoba Brown Metallic. Estoril Blue Metallic is available, but only for cars equipped with the M Sport package.
BMW EfficientDynamics
Exceptional performance; exceptionally low fuel consumption.
The driving enjoyment offered by the new BMW 3 Series Sedan and new BMW 3 Series Sports Wagon models is based not just on excellent performance but also on excellent fuel economy. BMW EfficientDynamics features that enhance fuel economy include Auto Start Stop, Brake Energy Regeneration, on-demand operation of ancillary units, and the Eco Pro mode.
Optimized transmissions and intelligent energy management.
The new manual and automatic transmissions help reduce fuel consumption and emissions. A Proactive Driving Assistant on models with the eight-speed Steptronic transmission uses navigation data to predict where the driver will have to slow down on the upcoming route and adjusts the powertrain. It also passes on appropriate recommendations to the driver, if desired.
Intelligent energy management for the ancillary units helps save fuel. This includes the on-demand coolant pump, electronically controlled oil pump, and electromechanical power steering that use no electrical power when driving straight ahead. The air conditioning compressor is automatically disconnected from the engine when the AC is not being used.
BMW ConnectedDrive
Connectivity and intelligent driver assistance systems.
Fast mobile technology.
The optional latest-generation Navigation System provides a faster start-up, faster route calculation, and more realistic 3-D visualization in cities. The best news is probably that maps will be automatically updated—free of charge for a period of three years via the embedded SIM cards and the vehicles LTE system. This LTE technology in conjunction with the Navigation System enhances USB, Bluetooth, and smartphone integration. BMW says network coverage and data transmission speeds will improve, especially in rural areas.
ConnectedDrive Services.
A SIM card built into the car provides access to services from BMW ConnectedDrive without the need for a smartphone.
BMW Assist eCall (Enhanced Automatic Collision Notification) automatically sends the vehicle’s location and severity of the accident to the BMW Assist Response Center, which then develops the best possible emergency response.
Head-Up Display.
A full-color, high-resolution Head-Up Display is an option on the new BMW 3 Series. The system displays in the driver’s field of view relevant information such as speed and navigation instructions, speed limits and no-passing zone information, Forward Collision Warning with City Collision Mitigation, Pedestrian Warning and Lane Departure Warning, and information relating to smartphone and media operation.
Parking Assistant for parallel and now perpendicular parking.
BMW Park Assist used to be just for parallel parking. Now you can use the new BMW Parking Assistant to get into spots that are perpendicular to the road as well as parallel. The system uses ultrasonic sensors to pick out potential spaces while the car is moving at less than 22 miles per hour. The spots appear on the central information display. This is not the autonomous parking system expected on the new 7 Series, but it is an improvement over the old Park Assist. When the driver activates the Parking Assistant, the car will steer itself into the space while the driver controls the accelerator and brake, or switch between forward and reverse when prompted. The Parking Assistant includes the new Auto PDC function, which allows the Park Distance Control to switch on automatically when approaching an object at the front and display the remaining distance. If you’re wondering about constant beeping from the Auto PDC in a traffic jam, don’t worry. In stop-start traffic, the Auto PDC function is deactivated.
The new BMW 330e Plug-in Hybrid.
In 2016, BMW will launch the BMW 330e. The BMW 330e will be powered by a plug-in hybrid drive system with a combined output of around 250 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque, giving the BMW 330e a zero to 60 time of approximately 6.1 seconds and a top speed of around 140 mph. The new BMW 330e will be able to travel up to 22 miles in all-electric mode with zero point-of-use emissions.
Is the mid-cycle change a big deal for the 3 Series?
BMW fans who expected a dramatic visual change will not see one, other than the headlight and tail light presentation, but BMW rarely makes significant styling changes in its mid-cycle model improvements. Critics will wonder why a 3 Series BMW with a three-liter engine is called the 340i, but BMW's naming protocols went off the rails long ago. It's not the name that's important anyway; it's how the car feels and drives—especially since it the 3 Series. We like the new features but will reserve final judgement until we get to drive a few of them.—Scott Blazey
[Photos and selected text passages courtesy of BMW AG and BMW of North America.]
