Bangkok--Mar 29--BMW Group Thailand
Entering its fifth generation, the BMW 3 Series is once again pushing up the benchmark. Acknowledged for 30 years as the best car in its segment, the 3 Series comes with a wide range of innovative, hands-on progress on the engine and suspension, and in terms of motoring comfort.
Taking up a great BMW tradition, the new BMW 3 Series naturally comes with all the characteristic features so typical of the brand - that is the engine fitted lengthwise, power going to the rear wheels, and perfect axle load distribution of 50:50. Clearly, all this makes a significant contribution to the superior agility of the new BMW 3 Series.
New technology in front and rear suspension
The double-joint front axle newly developed for the 3 Series and made completely of aluminium ensures an optimum balance of driving dynamics and motoring comfort. Tow of its strongest points are superior tracking stability and particularly low roll noise. And despite its low weight, the aluminium front axle is very stiff and table.
The five-arm lightweight-steel rear axle is the optimum guarantee for supreme agility and sports handling, ensuring precise wheel guidance and a very high standard of roll comfort.
Distinctive design profiling the 3 Series as a dynamic and elegant saloon.
In its design language, the 3 Series makes a powerful statement as a unique, self-confident, dynamic and elegant sports saloon. The new car comes right in the middle of BMW's modern design spectrum, matching the design language of the BMW Z4 or the BMW 1 Series, on the one hand, with the elegance of the 5 and 7 Series, on the other. Characteristic features are the short overhangs, the greenhouse moved far to the back, as well as the long engine compartment lid.
Larger Dimension
Significantly larger both outside and inside, the interior is bright, spacious and generous, reflecting the demand of its target group. In facts and figures, the overall length of the new 3 Series is 4,520 millimetres (+49 mm over the former model), width is 1,817 millimetres (+78 mm) and height 1,421 millimetres (+6 mm). Wheel base longest in the segment measures 2,760 millimetres (+35 mm).
An additional stroage package offers the passengers at the rear all the space they need, and the luggage compartment has been enlarged in size to 460 litres.
The new BMW 3 Series has grown both outside and inside, and in particular in its wheelbase, benefitting the rear-seat passenger most of all now enjoying almost 50 per cent more kneeroom. The increase in exterior width also means an overproportional increase in interior space, the new Saloon thus enhancing its leadership over the competition in terms of passenger comfort and enjoyment.
Shaping up the body: lighter, stiffer, safer.
Even stiffer but at the same time lighter than before, the body of the new model makes a significant contribution to the perfect concept harmony of the BMW 3 Series. In this case, "intelligent" lightweight construction means the specific use of enhanced steel and steel-forming technologies. The support bar concept for the car's load-bearing structure increases body stiffness by 25 per cent overall, without increasing the weight of the new model over that of its predecessor.
Thailand debut with two new engines.
The new BMW 3 Series is entering the market with two petrol engines. These power units offer a significant increase in output, performance, motoring refinement, and economy. And each of them is a highlight in itself.
BMW 320i with four-cylinder power unit.
The new BMW 320i is the most powerful four-cylinder in the segment. To express this improvement in facts and figures, the new four-cylinder compare to the one in the 318i in E46, now offers 5 kW more power.
This power unit is also equipped with VALVETRONIC and double-VANOS variable camshaft adjustment, development maximum output of 119 kW/150 bhp at 6,200 rpm and maximum torque of 200 Nm/147 lb-ft at 3,600 rpm. This accelerates the BMW 320i from 0-100 km/h in 9.0 seconds and gives the car a top speed of 220 km/h. Fuel consumption in the composite EU cycle is 7.4 litres/100 km. This increase in performance over the previous engine already acknowledged as very dynamic is attributable to detailed optimisation of the intake and exhaust ducts.
3.0I Six-cylinder with extra-light magnesium crankcase.
Developing maximum output of 190 kW/258 bhp, the six-cylinder in the top-of-the-range moodel outperforms its predecessor by a significant 39hp. Maximum torque of 300 Nm comes consistently between 2,500 and 4,000 rpm. This is the most powerful and lightest six-cylinder in its segment.
To reduce the weight of the engine to an absolute minimum, BMW is using magnesium for the first time in volume production, with weight down by 30 per cent versus aluminium. Both the crankcase as well as the crankshaft bearings and the cylinder head cover are all made of this sophisticated ultralight material.
Another new feature in the six-cylinder is VALVETRONIC masterminding the opening times and lift of the intake valves infinitely as function of the gas pedal position. The result is even more efficient use of the fuel injected into the engine, with engine response being even more spontaneous than before.
This technology comes hand-in-hand with double-VANOS variable camshaft adjustment for the intake and outlet valves. The new BMW 330i accelerates to 100 km/n in 6.6 seconds and its top speed is limited to 250 km/h. Fuel consumption in the composite EU cycle is 9.0 litres/100 km.
Six-speed automatic geargoxed on all models.
Even the best and most powerful engine requires the right kind of transmission to become a genuine althlete. And by tradition, BMW has always been the leader in tranmission technology. Accordingly , the new 3 Series comes with six-speed automatic transmission with Steptronic on all models. All these transmission units are supreme comforts in control and operation, technical precision of the highest standard, low noise, and superior efficiency in the use of energy.
Benefiting from the additional gear, the closer gear ratios, as well as the larger increment between the smallest and largest gear, the driver is able to shift gears at exactly the right point for a smooth, ongoing surge of engine power. This is a particular advantage when setting off, with first gear being laid out for more muscle, traction and pulling force. In all, the new BMW 3 Series is more dynamic, accelerates more quickly, and offers an even higher top speed. And all this is on less fuel than before.
Active Steering in the 330i: unique in this segment.
For the first time in the midrange segment, the customer has the benefit of BMW Active Steering in the 330i as standard in the Thai market. The big advantage of this modern concept is a more direct steering transmission ratio at low speeds and a more indirect at high speeds, thus providing the ideal solution to the old conflict of interests with a conventional steering between agility, stability, and motoring comfort.
In the new BMW 3 Series this superiority is further enhanced by a significant everyday benefit: Applying the brakes on surfaces varying in their frictional coefficient. Active Steering, intervening actively in the car's steering mechanism, stabilises the vehicle more quickly and precisely than a normal driver in such a situation.
This is also attributable to the latest generation of BMW'S DSC Dynamic Stability Control which, featuring functions and qualities raised to an even higher level on the six-cylinder models, helps the driver come even closer to the absolute limits of physical control.
Latest-generation DSC.
DSC, Dynamic Stability Control, is standard to all variances of the new 3 Series. For the six-cylinder models, the DSC comes with futher useful functions such as dry-braking the brake discs on wet roads or brake standby by pre-setting the brake linings for a quick, smooth and firm response. And now the system also prevents the car from rolling back when setting off on an uphill gradient and avoids that usual "dive" effect when braking shortly before the car comes to a standstill.
As a result, BMW's Sports Saloon now offers even greater leadership in driving dynamics.
Additional features;
1) Runflat tyres
As a further highlight, the new BMW 3 Series comes as standard with runflat tyres enabling the driver to go on after a puncture for up to 250 kilometres at a speed of up to 80 km/h.
2) Optimum heating and climate comfort.
The new BMW 3 Series has the fastest air conditioning throughout its entire segment, cooling the interior more quickly than in any other comparable car. Providing exactly the temperature desired very quickly and without the slightest draught, then maintaining this climate consistently and without any fluctuations. End