The Bavarian automobile company, BMW has launched the the new 2012 3 series. The 3 series is one of the favourite sports sedans since time immemorial. Many companies have introduced vehicles to compete with the 3 series but none could stand up to this hallmark in any way. The 3 series always won the battle in ways more than one. So, now when BMW launched the refreshed 3 series we couldn’t miss it anyhow.
BMW has redesigned the 3 series and the styling has been made similar to its other models namely the 5, 6 and 7 series. From the front, the car’s nose has been made slightly bigger to fulfil the European safety standards of pedestrian safety. The headlights of the new 3 series also merger with the characteristic kidney shaped front grille giving a look of a unified fascia. The side profile is mostly similar to the older one while the rear end shows off the car’s large trunk. The base dimensions have been altered in the new model. The front track of the new 3 series is now wider by 1.46 inches while the rear is wider by 1.85 inches. Yet, the new car is lighter by 88 pounds. The rear boot space has also been increased due to the increased dimensions.
The new 3 series is also fitted with the new 2L turbocharged 4 cylinder engine developed by BMW that first came in the Z4. It produces 240 bhp of power and and 260 pound-feet or torque. It is also going to be more fuel efficient and the company claims it will scoot 60 mph in just 5.7 seconds and go all the way to a top speed of 130 mph. The 335i however retains the single turbo 3L inline 6 cylinder producing 300 bhp of power and 300 lb-feet of torque. It also features Auto Start-Stop, brake Energy Regeneration, ECO PRO mode and a new 8 speed gearbox. It will be available in 4 trims- Sport Line, Luxury Line, Modern Line and the M Sport. Additionally the new model incorporates Heads-Up display, Active Blind Spot Detection, Camera Monitoring for Lane departure Warning and Collision Warning. Plans are also on to bring a hybrid version by 2012.
The M Sport is the sportier version of the 3 series and will have a lowered M Sport suspension with 10mm lower ride height. 18 inch alloys with bespoke front bumper, rear diffuser, chrome tailpipes will also be added. As for the interior, there are sports seats in unique cloth/Alcantara upholstery, trim elements with blue accent strips, an M Shortshifter for models with a manual gearbox, M door sill finishers, an M driver’s footrest and the new M leather steering wheel.
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