We knew it was incoming a while back, and when BMW finally launched the 7th generation of its best-seller 3 Series in the Indian market last year, it was a moment to rejoice for virtually every fan of the brand’s most involving car to drive. It has been so successful over the years that the company has sold over 15 millions of 3’s around the world.
But, getting back to the news last year. The jury at ICOTY announced the sporty 330i as the Premium Car of the Year 2020. And there is simply no reason to believe otherwise since the 7th generation outshines its rivals with its involving nature and the blend of comfort when driven sanely. Not that it’s the best choice for the chauffeur-driven, but it still holds the crown for the best self-driven sports sedan.
Above all, it vastly improves upon its predecessor in several ways. While the previous-generation of the 3 Series was soft sprung and felt less like an involving car, the ongoing 3 is precisely a bit stiffer to ensure it holds the benchmark for the best handler in the segment. It looks well luxurious too while doing so. Here’s a look.
Specifications
The 3 doesn’t blend in the crowd as it used to earlier. That is simply for the reason that the kidney nostrils are bigger now, but not as overly big as the 7’s. The headlamps are now sharper too. The side profile remains a bit similar to its predecessor, while it’s the rear that makes the new 3 appear substantially newer than the older one.
As for the overall dimensions, the 7th generation measures 4,709mm in length, 1,827mm in width, and 1,442mm in height. It has a staggering wheelbase of 2,851mm and the base-spec variant tips the scale at 1,660kg. The boot space capacity is 480-litres, and the fuel tank capacity is 57-litres.
The new BMW 3 Series comes with two engine options: the entry-level engine is the brand’s 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel, which is good for 188bhp and 400Nm of torque. It comes mated to an 8-speed automatic gearbox as a standard fit. The 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol, which is only available in the M-sport variant, is good for 255bhp and 400Nm of torque. It also comes mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission. As of early-2020, the petrol engine is compliant with BS-VI emission standards, while the diesel engine is yet to be upgraded to meet the said norms.
Mileage
While it remains to be a delight when pushed hard, the BMW 3 Series also proves to be quite a fuel-efficient sedan when driven sedately. Therefore, as per the official numbers, the diesel-automatic 3 Series returns 19.62km/l while its petrol-automatic derivative returns 16.12km/l.
Features
On the exterior front, it’s the M-Sport variant of the 3 Series that’s the sportiest and perhaps the most desirable of the lot. The 18-inch dual-tone wheels look contemporary and neat. Apart from the standard dual-projector lamps, LED DRLs, and 3D LED taillamps, the M-Sport badging also brings a sportier body kit to the mix.
On the inside, you sit facing two 12.3-inch screens, one for the digital instrument cluster and the other for the infotainment. Both are integrated nicely and remain to be very intuitive to operate.
Colours
The 3 Series, as of early-2020, comes in four shades, namely, Alpine White, Black Sapphire Metallic, Mineral Grey Metallic, and Mediterranean Blue Metallic.
Brochure
All the details regarding the BMW 3 Series, namely, the engine, specifications, variant wise equipment, colours, dimensions, interiors, and exterior details are extensively covered in the brochure.
Variants and Prices
As of early-2020, the BMW 3 Series is available in two variants, withone variant for the petrol-automatic and one for the diesel-automatic. The prices start at Rs. 46.9 lakhs for the 320d Luxury Line variant going all the way up to Rs. 48.5lakhs for the 330i M Sport variant (both prices ex-showroom, Delhi). For the variant-wise on-road prices, visit us at autoX.
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