The global benchmark in dynamic compact sporting luxury Sedans has been raised once again with the announcement by BMW of an updated 3 Series range.
The new BMW 3 Series Sedan and Touring models will deliver even more driving pleasure, premium quality and innovative technology when they arrive in Australia early in 2009.
Changes to the exterior styling, interior enhancements, and a new 3.0-litre diesel engine are the highlights to changes just announced in Europe.
The front, rear and side styling has been refined, with greater emphasis on the dynamic character lines along the side of the car, accentuated by reprofiled side skirts.
At the front, a new headlight cluster, new facia panel and a pair of muscular bonnet lines give the 3 Series a bolder, stronger look, highlighted by larger double kidney grilles. Optional Bi-Xenon Adaptive Headlamps incorporate new LED indicator lamps.
Redesigned doors mirrors offer a wider field of view and employ concave and convex styling to the mirror caps.
At the rear, bumpers, taillights and the boot handle have been redesigned, the taillights adopting a more pronounced "L-shape" and incorporating LED elements.
The rear track has been widened as a result of suspension modifications and depending on models is up to 24 mm wider.
The interior boasts revised and enlarged storage areas, new location for window lifts and the new generation iDrive with new ergonomic controller, similar to that fitted to the new BMW 7 Series previewed recently, is now available.
Increased iDrive functionality allows selection of options via turning, pressing and tilting the redesigned controller. Favourite buttons for greater personalisation as well as extended functions for destination entry, trip planning and map display for the optional Professional Navigation system are highlights.
This system also incorporates an 80 GB hard drive that allows music from MP3 players and CD to be transferred across. The hard drive also serves up directional mapping faster than before when in navigation mode.
Under the more shapely bonnet, a newly developed in-line six-cylinder diesel engine is fitted to the BMW 330d, featuring an aluminium block, third generation common rail direct injection with piezo injectors and a maximum injection pressure of 1,800 bar. The turbocharger has variable turbine geometry and generates an output of 180 kW and a maximum torque of 520 Nm. It is also fitted with a diesel particulate filter and oxidation catalyst as standard, and complies with the EU 5 exhaust emission standard.
This engine delivers 0-100 km/h acceleration in 6.1 seconds, uses just 5.7 l/100 km of fuel and emits only 152 g/km of CO2, incredibly efficient performance for an engine as energetic as this.
Furthermore, the 320d four-cylinder diesel engine has also been optimised to make it EU5 compliant.
All models are available with a new six-speed automatic transmission with optimised shift dynamics and minimised converter slip.
BMW Crash-activated dynamic head restraints are also fitted as standard to reduce the effects of whiplash in rear-end impacts.
The new 3 Series Sedan and Touring will arrive in Australia early in 2009. Model variants, specification and pricing for the local market will be announced closer to launch.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
2009 BMW 3 Series Sedan & Touring
2009 BMW M3 ALMS Race Car
BMW presented the racing version of the new BMW M3 at the Chicago Auto Show. Powered by a 485 bhp eight cylinder engine, this impressive race car has been designed to compete in the American Le Mans Series (ALMS) beginning in 2009. The car is based on the fourth generation of the BMW M3, the high-performance sports car produced by BMW M GmbH.
BMW Motorsport Director Mario Theissen says: "With the sporting genes of the production BMW M3 being clearly evident, developing a racing version of the car was the next logical step. The fact that the road-going vehicle is fitted with a V8 engine as standard provided us with an ideal base. However, the BMW M3 is more than a race car, it has achieved legendary status amongst race fans across the globe. I am convinced that this unique story of the BMW M3 racing cars will now be expanded upon by the addition of further chapters."
BMW's 2009 entry into the American Le Mans Series will be driven by a partnership between BMW of North America, LLC and Rahal Letterman Racing, co-owned by US motorsport legend Bobby Rahal.
"We are very pleased to be returning to the American Le Mans Series with our latest generation BMW M3," states Tom Purves, Chairman and CEO, BMW of North America. "Sports car racing has been part of BMW of North America's history practically from day one. Just two weeks after the company was incorporated in March 1975, a BMW CSL won the Twelve Hours of Sebring. We are confident that the fourth generation M3 will continue the legacy of its two predecessors which combined to win six manufacturer's championships over nine seasons in US sports car racing. As it has been in the past we believe the ALMS is the ideal venue to showcase the potential of the newest BMW M3."
Echoing that sentiment Bobby Rahal adds, "BMW has an illustrious racing heritage. Rahal Letterman Racing is eagerly anticipating, not only becoming part of that heritage, but helping to enhance it. Our dedication to this project will be without equal and we look forward to racing at the front of the grid with BMW in the years to come."
Martin Birkmann, Motorsports Manager, BMW of North America, adds: "We are very excited to announce our return to the American Le Mans Series with the 4th generation M3 at the same time as the road car hits the BMW showrooms. We are also excited about our partnership with Rahal Letterman Racing. The ALMS offers racing where we can compete against the finest and most renowned automotive brands from Europe and the US. Motorsport is deeply ingrained in the BMW DNA and we are pleased to partner with an organization which shares that same heritage. Rahal Letterman Racing is the perfect partner to be behind the wheel of our new BMW M3 racing effort."
