BMW have introduced an updated 3 Series line in the UK, another right-hand-drive market, with some more powerful engines to boot.
The 3 Series is the go-to car for those looking for a practical and fun family saloon. The new F30 version was also a massive step forward to the E90, bringing in more space and better efficiency as well. Now, there has been a slight redesign and a whole lot happening under the bonnet.
The styling sees revised headlamp and tail-lamp clusters come in. Buyers also have the choice of full-LED headlamps. The interior also gets spruced up with new materials and combinations on offer. However, the main changes are in badging and engine outputs.
The petrol line-up sees the 328i out and 330i in. Unlike the signature naturally-aspirated 3.0-litre straight-six with 255 PS and 310 Nm that was the old 30i motor, the new 30i is a TwinPower Turbo 2.0-litre direct-injected four making 252 PS and 350 Nm, 7 PS up on the 328i. Secondly, the 335i is no more, instead, in comes a 340i with 326 PS and 450 Nm. Lifted straight out of the 7 Series.
The diesel line-up also sees vast improvements. The 320d now gets 190 PS and 400 Nm, up from 184 PS and 380 Nm. The same engine is already doing duty in the X3 in India. On the efficiency front, the 320d now delivers a claimed 24.07 km/l. The new 330d gets the 3.0-litre straight-six TwinPower Turbo diesel engine from the 530d, complete with 258 PS and 560 Nm. We drove the 530d last year and found it to be effortless in power delivery as well as offer good ride quality. The 330d Convertible was available earlier for a small period of time with the same engine.
Last, but definitely the hottest of the lot is the 335d, which gets the 40d spec 3.0-litre TwinPower Turbo diesel engine with 313 PS and a massive 630 Nm of torque. With that sort of output, it dismisses 0-100 km/h in just 4.8 seconds.
There’s also a 330e plug-in hybrid model on the cards, which will offer 252 PS and a significant torque output together with e-motor assist to allow for cleaner and effortless propulsion. We shall bring you more on that once the juicy details are out.
The new 3 Series range is now available in the UK from £24,975 (Rs 25 lakh) for the base 136-PS 318i petrol going up to £40,330 (Rs 41 lakh) for the 335d.
Story: Jim Gorde
