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The global benchmark in dynamic compact sporting luxury Sedans has been
raised once again with the announcement by BMW of an updated 3 Series range.
The new BMW 3 Series Sedan and Touring models will deliver even more driving
pleasure, premium quality and innovative technology when they arrive in
Australia early in 2009.
Changes to the exterior styling, interior enhancements, and a new 3.0-litre
diesel engine are the highlights to changes just announced in Europe.
The front, rear and side styling has been refined, with greater emphasis on
the dynamic character lines along the side of the car, accentuated by reprofiled
side skirts.
At the front, a new headlight cluster, new facia panel and a pair of muscular
bonnet lines give the 3 Series a bolder, stronger look, highlighted by larger
double kidney grilles. Optional Bi-Xenon Adaptive Headlamps incorporate new LED
indicator lamps.
Redesigned doors mirrors offer a wider field of view and employ concave and
convex styling to the mirror caps.
At the rear, bumpers, taillights and the boot handle have been redesigned,
the taillights adopting a more pronounced ‘L-shape” and incorporating LED
elements.
The rear track has been widened as a result of suspension modifications and
depending on models is up to 24 mm wider.
The interior boasts revised and enlarged storage areas, new location for
window lifts and the new generation iDrive with new ergonomic controller,
similar to that fitted to the new BMW 7 Series previewed recently, is now
available.
Increased iDrive functionality allows selection of options via turning,
pressing and tilting the redesigned controller. Favourite buttons for greater
personalisation as well as extended functions for destination entry, trip
planning and map display for the optional Professional Navigation system are
highlights.
This system also incorporates an 80 GB hard drive that allows music from MP3
players and CD to be transferred across. The hard drive also serves up
directional mapping faster than before when in navigation mode.
Under the more shapely bonnet, a newly developed in-line six-cylinder diesel
engine is fitted to the BMW 330d, featuring an aluminium block, third generation
common rail direct injection with piezo injectors and a maximum injection
pressure of 1,800 bar. The turbocharger has variable turbine geometry and
generates an output of 180 kW and a maximum torque of 520 Nm. It is
also fitted with a diesel particulate filter and oxidation catalyst as standard,
and complies with the EU 5 exhaust emission standard.
This engine delivers 0-100 km/h acceleration in 6.1 seconds, uses just 5.7
l/100 km of fuel and emits only 152 g/km of CO2, incredibly efficient
performance for an engine as energetic as this.
Furthermore, the 320d four-cylinder diesel engine has also been optimised to
make it EU5 compliant.
All models are available with a new six-speed automatic transmission with
optimised shift dynamics and minimised converter slip.
BMW Crash-activated dynamic head restraints are also fitted as standard to
reduce the effects of whiplash in rear-end impacts.
The new 3 Series Sedan and Touring will arrive in Australia early in 2009.
Model variants, specification and pricing for the local market will be announced
closer to launch.
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