BMW’s sixth-generation 3-series, code-named F30, has been unveiled. The new 3 sedan is bigger, a little lighter, will have a hybrid variant, and can park itself. How things change.
Another Dimension, Another Dimension
Compared to the E90 3er, the 2012 3-series sedan is about 3.7 inches longer, rides on a 2.0-inch-longer wheelbase, and has wider tracks front (1.5 inches) and rear (1.9). The growth pays dividends to back-seat passengers; legroom increases by 0.7 inch, there’s 0.6-inch more knee room, and a smidge more headroom. Despite the newfound bigness, BMW claims that the sedans will weigh 88 pounds less than similarly equipped last-gen cars. Imagine what they could have done if it stayed the same overall size.
The larger car still looks svelte, however, and wears an evolved version of current 5-series styling. Its face is pulled tighter than before, with the headlights stretching to meet the trademark kidney grilles. The single lower intake has been split into two. Cars with the optional xenon headlights are equipped with LED eyebrows. BMW describes the overall profile as wedge-shaped, which, okay, it might be, but it’s no Lamborghini Gallardo.
And in case you were wondering about the optimal angle of a driver-focused interior, it’s seven degrees. (It must be optimal, or BMW wouldn’t have mentioned it.)
Turbos for All, Two More Gears for Some
Naturally, we’re most interested in the mechanical changes. Two turbocharged engines will be offered, a new turbo four in the 328i and BMW’s familiar single-turbo six in the 335i. The N20 2.0-liter four-cylinder was first seen in the Z4 sDrive28i (it also powers the 2012 528i), and makes 240 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque as it does in the roadster. The 328i is claimed to hit 60 mph in 5.7 seconds, 0.2 quicker than we recorded with a manual-equipped E90 sedan with the outgoing naturally aspirated 3.0-liter six. BMW’s N55 turbocharged six-cylinder carries over, and it produces familiar output figures of 300 hp and 300 lb-ft it. The company says it will post a 5.4-second 0-to-60-mph time, which is more than half a second slower than a manual-equipped 335i we tested last year. Chances are the estimates for both cars are conservative.
A six-speed manual once again will be standard with either engine, and an eight-speed automatic replaces the previous six-speed unit. The first run of 2012 sedans will all be rear-wheel drive, and will include an electronically actuated limited-slip differential (activated by turning stability control off); xDrive all-wheel drive will be made available beginning, oddly, in summer of 2012.
Steering Clear?
There may be some good news for those worrying—as we were—that the 3 would get electric steering as numb as that found in the latest 5-series: While the base setup is indeed an all-electric system, a mechanical variable-ratio rack is optional. That’s not to say that the electric system is certain to be terrible: VW and Audi, among others, have managed to tune theirs properly, and BMW has surely heard the complaints about its setup. Fingers crossed. (Of course, if the electric steering does end up being a disappointment, we'd be more than a little annoyed to be forced to pay for the ostensibly better setup.)
Up front, BMW retains its long-used strut suspension setup. The rear gets the usual geometry, damper- and spring-rate, and bushing tweaks. There also will be an available M Sport adaptive suspension, something heretofore only offered on the M3.
As in every other current-generation BMW, the 3-series will have a Driving Dynamics Control button that tunes its various optional and standard steering, suspension, and driveline systems to one of a handful of settings. In addition to Comfort, Sport, and Sport +, the 3’s version of DDC introduces Eco Pro, which, to no one’s surprise, favors efficiency. Eco Pro upshifts the automatic transmission sooner and resists downshifts longer, reduces throttle sensitivity, and incorporates intelligent accessory and climate-control management. It also puts economy and coaching screens in the instrument cluster to help drivers “improve” their gas-using habits.
Further efficiency improvements include the Air Curtain vents, first used on the 1-series M Coupe and 128i, which route air around the front wheels to reduce drag. Aero undertrays also are standard. All engine-and-transmission combos include engine stop/start and a clutched alternator.
Apocalypse Now
And you knew it was coming ): The 3-series hybrid. Borrowing its powertrain from the recently announced ActiveHybrid 5, the ActiveHybrid 3 will be powerful. It pairs the N55 six-cylinder with a 55-hp electric motor sandwiched between the engine and eight-speed transmission. Total system output is 335 hp and 330 lb-ft of torque. BMW claims an electric-only range of 2 to 2.5 miles, as well as operation at speeds of up to 37 mph under load and up to 100 mph when coasting. The hybrid’s battery is stored under the trunk floor. BMW will add the hybrid to the lineup in the fall of 2012. We'll have to wait a bit longer for fuel-economy numbers.
Trimmed with Care
In addition to the base model, BMW will offer the 3-series in three different “lines,” the closest the company has ever come to offering trim levels: Sport, Luxury, and Modern. Each gets its own interior and exterior color palette.
Sport Line cars are dominated by gloss-black exterior trim, black-chrome exhaust tips, and black and red accents inside; they also have the speed limiter raised to 155 mph versus other cars’ 130. The Luxury car gets chrome trim on the outside, glossy wood with optional inlays inside, and stitched leather seats in a variety of colors. Modern has satin aluminum trim, a light-colored dashboard, and black or white leather seats. Each line gets its own 18-inch wheel design as standard. And for the detail-oriented, each line has a corresponding key-fob: Sport’s is black with red details, the Luxury key is black with chrome, and the Modern key is white with matte-silver detailing. Sounds like some product planners had a lot of time on their hands.
In addition to these fancy new color bundles, BMW will once again offer an M Sport package for the 3. On the functional side, the group includes a non-adaptive M Sport suspension that is 0.4 inch lower, adds larger anti-roll bars, and firms up the shocks and dampers. Eighteen-inch M Sport wheels are standard, with 19s optional. Dress-up items include the requisite aggressive fascias, special doorsills, sport seats, blue interior-trim accents, and an M steering wheel. Manual-transmission cars also get an M short-throw shifter.
Other features of note include active blind-spot detection, lane-departure warning, and automatic high beams. An optional parking assistant scans for open parallel spaces at speeds below 22 mph and then guides the car in if it’s got the electric power steering. A Surround View camera system also will be available, which stitches several camera views together to create an overhead look at the car and its surroundings for easier maneuvering. Cars equipped with Comfort Access get a hands-free trunk-opening function, which uses sensors under the rear bumper to release the latch with the wave of a foot; this feature was seen recently on the European Volkswagen Passat.
The sedan will arrive here in February of 2012. BMW once again will stagger the rollout of new 3s, continuing to produce the current coupe and convertible through late 2012. Expect the new versions of those to bow then, followed by the 3-series wagon and a 3-series GT (you can probably guess which one of those we’ll get). The next-gen M3 has been spied testing, but likely is two years away. At least now you have an idea of what it will look like.
