INNOVATE OR DIE. With cars that are rolling hotbeds of technology, BMW seems to have taken this mantra to heart, as evidenced by their recent overhauling of their cars’ long-time family look, and in installing every new bit of equipment into even their mainstream cars.
On the other side of the equation, few car nameplates have survived more than 40 years of progress, and fewer still have remained true to their original character. For the BMW 3 Series, the premise has been simple: a compact sedan that is fun to drive. Simple, perhaps, but not as easy at it sounds. How do you balance heaping more advanced technology into your car while retaining its core characteristics?
For starters, the diabolical duo of Chris Bangle & Adrian van Hooydonk have turned down the wick on flame surfacing and oddball shutlines, and turned up the elegance. The result is a mix of the brash Z4 and the futuristic 5 Series, while improving on both. It looks clean, elegant, and long. The trademark short front overhang looks particularly good with the new headlamp design. The hood bulges flow forward past the revamped twin-kidney grille and deep into the bumper. A sharp crease in the flank lines up, as usual, with the door handles and into the rear fenders.
The enlarged dimensions mean more interior room in the new 3; even Mandy Moore will find it comfortable to hitch a ride in the back. The dash remains driver-oriented, with the center console still canted slightly to the left. A pair of large round gauges tell you all you’ll need to know while driving. Other countries get an i-Drive monitor and controller, but we’re probably just as well off with the simpler radio and aircon controls. The starter button is a bit of why-tech, given that you still have to insert the key before you can operate the engine. (The answer is that with some variants, you can keep the key in your pocket as you approach and enter the car, and just press Start to play.)
Pushing that button fires up one of three engines: a 2.0 inline-4 (150 hp/200 Nm), a 2.5 inline-6 (218 hp/250 Nm), or a 3.0 inline-6 (258 hp/300 Nm). The inline-4 is adequate for in-town use and won’t disappoint even when overtaking on two-lane country roads. Double-VANOS variable-valve timing keeps the response crisp.
The 3.0 inline-6 is the pièce de résistance of the lineup. Instant response, blistering acceleration, and a spine-tingling soundtrack all come standard with the 3.0. This new engines incorporates lightweight materials such as magnesium for its crankcase, and is equipped with a world-first electric water pump that further improves efficiency.
There’s only one transmission choice—the 6-speed automatic. Its transmission ratios are customized for each engine combination, and with closely-spaced ratios, it makes the most of the available power and torque. Greater response is available on demand, with the manual override function.
As part of the 3 Series’ launch activity, BMW transported an entire office and dealership to the Fort grounds, including a test drive area and circular slalom course. On the tarmac, the 320i was perceptibly lighter than its 6-cylinder brethren; less weight at the nose made it more agile through the orange cones. The 330i is still unparalleled for its acceleration and growling engine note.
Pleasantly surprising are the run-flat tires. We expected a bit of a jolt with the stiffened sidewalls, but ride comfort is every bit as good as on conventional rubber. The steering feels as perfectly weighted and precisely pointable as on the previous generation. We are rather skeptical that Active Steering will add anything to the already stellar controls.
So has the 3 kept its mantle of the best-driving executive car? When we drove it earlier this year, the old 3 still felt bang up-to-date and quite far from its sell-by date. By launching the new car even before the old model was usurped from its throne, BMW guarantees its leadership for some time to come. The downside is that prices have been bumped up, with the increased technology content making up for some of the gadgets that have to be ordered as options. Take note that the purchase price covers all service and maintenance for three years, including consumables. Gasoline and tires are about the only other things you have to pay for; the fun comes at no extra charge.
By Jason Ang | Photos By Jason Ang
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