With the launch of the M3 earlier this year, we're slightly surprised to see BMW has already facelifted the E90 BMW 3-Series family. However, the BMW is legendary for staying ahead of the opposition and spy shots of the new car have been surfacing. We'd even seen the car undergoing road tests locally but never had a camera with us at the right moment!
While the changes seem superficial, they actually amount to a significant step forward in terms of technology. We're not going to present the full news release here because most of it relates to Europe-only models and features. However, BMW USA assures us it will continue with the existing 328i and 335i models as well as the long-awaited 335d twin-turbo diesel and that a US-specific release will follow.
Highlights of the new model include full-time internet access, an 80GB internal hard drive and revised exterior design. Sadly, we won't be getting the incredibly frugal four-cylinder diesel engines at present but the performance and economy of the new 335d model is guaranteed to surprise US motorists.
Despite the changes, the cars retain their internal E-codes. So the sedan models are still referred to as E90 and the sport wagon as E91.
Our abridged version of BMW AG's release begins: It is the epitome of sporty flair in its segment and for years it has maintained the position as the mostly widely sold premium vehicle in the world. Now the BMW 3-Series sets out to extend its lead even further. Specific design modifications, a further refined interior design, the new generation of the BMW iDrive, new services provided by BMW ConnectedDrive, a revised range of engines and innovations in the areas of drive technology, safety and comfort make the new BMW 3-Series Sedan and Touring more attractive than ever before. With rear-wheel drive, harmonious axle load distribution, outstanding steering precision and highly sophisticated chassis technology, the BMW 3-Series sets standards for driving dynamics in its segment. More than ever before, this unique driving pleasure can now be combined with an awareness of economy and minimized emissions.
Thanks to BMW EfficientDynamics, the new 3-Series achieves significantly lower fuel consumption and exhaust emissions with each of the ten engine variations available than those of the relevant competitors in the premium segment.
The new features in the powertrain field include the optimized electronically controlled all-wheel drive system BMW xDrive. This intelligent all-wheel drive system which variably distributes the drive force between front and rear wheels to enhance driving dynamics as well as ride stability and traction can now be combined with five engine types (in Europe).
Parallel to the launch of the new 3-Series Sedan and Touring, a new seven-speed sports automatic transmission with double clutch will be presented for the Coup and the Convertible of the series. This allows further improved acceleration figures in the 335i Coup and 335i Convertible. It combines added dynamic performance - as compared to the standard six-speed manual transmission - with the comfort features of an automatic transmission. The seven-speed double-clutch system shifts without interrupting traction.
With striking visual changes, the dynamic character of the new 3-Series Sedan has been given additional emphasis, while the new 3-Series Touring enhances its sporty, elegant profile with new visual features which are recognizable from all angles.
The front view of the Sedan and Touring models is characterized by an emphasis of vehicle width. The characteristic look of the double circular headlights is underscored by chrome tubes, and their corona rings can now also be used with optional bi-xenon headlamps as daytime running lights. The light sources of the indicators have a ribbed structure and LED indicator lights are installed in conjunction with the optional bi-xenon headlamps.
Powerfully taut surfaces and striking character lines dominate the side view of the new 3-Series. The contour edges of the side skirts have been set higher and modeled in a more distinctive fashion. Another new feature is the exterior mirrors with two distinctive character lines, echoing the interplay between the convex and concave shaping of the surfaces. The mirrors also offer an enlarged field of vision.
Greater emphasis on the vehicle's power and sporty character appears in the rear view of the vehicles. To achieve this, the bumpers, rear lights and luggage compartment handle have been completely redesigned. The dual section rear lights are now structured according to the characteristic BMW L-shape. The two LED light clusters and the LED direction indicators are designed to create a striking, quality appearance.
The widened track of the new 3-Series contributes to its powerful appearance. Depending on the model, the track of the rear axle has been widened by up to 24mm (about 1") by means of a new wheel carrier and other modified details.