The world is not divided into purists and commuters; there are many layers of car fans in the middle. But purists are the most vocal when any new feature or technology cuts into the pleasure of motoring and personal engagement with their car. Commuters, on the other hand, will appreciate every addition that makes their car more ‘idiot-proof’ (both the one behind the wheel and the ones on the street). Car-makers have to go with the flow in attempting to stay true to a model’s character and yet offering features that can satisfy all types of buyers.
The furore that the first set of electronic stability aids caused is still fresh in our memory, but the latest debates revolve around autonomous driving aids. Each of these electronic assistance systems may be taking away bits of the joy of driving a purely mechanical, edgy, yet engaging machine. But they are probably also saving lives and making the commute more comfortable. So, there is a certain inevitability to this trend as car-makers step up their efforts in the direction of electrification and self-driving vehicles. The new BMW 3 Series has its long nose pointed down that road.
The 3 Series has long been a driver’s delight. After four decades and more than 15 million units on the road, the most popular model from BMW gets into a new mould literally and figuratively. This seventh generation of the sports sedan is due out globally by March this year and there is much that rests on how well BMW has played that game of balance between what the market wants and what the 3 Series represents. I travelled to Portugal last month to experience the new 3 on the narrow roads of Faro and at the Portimão race track, both of which are the typical playgrounds for a car of this calibre. So how did it fare?
Design
BMW designers have been cautious with their attempt at creating the new 3 Series. The design is all-new, but it is still cast within the iconic proportions and chiseled fascia that is characteristic of the model line. The new model is more coupe-like with what looks like a lowered roofline and a longer hood with the shark nose. It is now more aerodynamic with a lower 0.23 cd value (co-efficient of drag), a lower centre of gravity and a classic 50:50 weight distribution, all of which point to its more focussed dynamic abilities. When viewed side-on, the new 3 Series’ classic profile seems to be intact — the long nose, the sweeping roofline and the taut rear. Some of the contoured surfaces and edges refer back to predecessors like the sharp bonnet creases and the lip at the top of the boot lid. The front is the most busy side of the new model with the larger kidney grille, the air curtains, LED headlamps and fog lamps and sharper dates contributing to the impression, though it is still a very 3 Series look. The trailing edge of the side window graphic with its Hoffmeister kink design cue is now integrated into the C-pillar.
The new 3 Series has grown in proportions — it is now 76 mm longer, 16 mm wider and features a longer wheelbase and wider front and rear tracks. It is also about 55 kg lighter despite the increased size and the considerable increase in equipment levels compared to the previous generation. Code named G20, the new 3 Series also gets a more rigid chassis and a whole new suspension set-up including lift-related dampers as standard fitment and an optional M Sport and adaptive suspension with electronically controlled damping.
Cabin
The new 3 Series cabin is awash with space. Much of the 41 mm increase in wheelbase seems to have been used to free up space, and both legroom and shoulder room has increased. The cabin retains its very BMW flavour in all the hexagonal configuration to trim elements. Unfortunately, the choice of materials is also reflective of the 3 Series’ hierarchy in the brand’s range of sedans. But, the 3 Series identity is strong in the the layout and driver focussed positioning of controls. The sporty seats are some of the best in the segment. Textured metal trim, a whole new steering wheel design, new door panel trim design and the new duo of control display and digital instrument cluster gives the cabin a familiar, yet very fresh look.
The rear seats get a 40:20:40 split making it more versatile. The boot offers 480 litres of luggage space with a slightly lowered loading level and an auto opening boot lid option. There are multiple ways to operate the main controls of the cabin — the primary individual knobs, the rotary iDrive controller, gesture, voice commands and steering mounted controls. But, the trouble with electronics is that they are initially prone to bugs. Being introduced in the seventh gen 3, the new BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant is at that stage in the learning curve. It (basically a voice recognition system) is pretty intuitive and intelligently operates controls based on commands, but that is only on those occasions when it recognises the driver’s command. It failed more often than it worked during my test drive. The fault could well be simply with the versatility of the algorithm; probably just an over-the-air update away!
Performance
BMW officials confirm that the new 3 Series will be available with a choice of five engines at the time of the launch. The powertrain variants on offer at Faro during our test drive were the 320d and the 330i. At the race track, the camouflaged 340i was available for laps around the circuit. The range-topping 340i sports a turbocharged, straight-six petrol delivering 382hp of peak power and is capable of doing the 0-100kmph sprint in 4.2 seconds. The 340i is due out in the market only for the 2020 model year.
Resetting the benchmark in the segment would need the 3’s powertrains to become more powerful and more efficient, which is what they do. Unfortunately though, all the petrol powertrains sport 8-speed automatics; there will be no manuals on offer. The 330i sports a 2-litre, turbocharged, 4-cylinder petrol engine that generates 258hp and 400Nm. The 320d’s, which too I sampled and found to be more refined than the predecessor’s oil burner, sports a 2-litre diesel mill that puts out 190hp and 400Nm. As the numbers would suggest both these powertrains offered more than adequate power and torque to enable the new 3 variants to perform effortlessly in city and on the highway near Faro. There is no dearth for the kind of shove you’d expect from the badge and the model line.
The top of the line variant that isn’t being talked about much yet is the M340i, which I got to sample on the Portimao race track. The 7th gen gets an upgraded engine in the turbocharged straight-six petrol unit that generates a sumptuous 382hp and 500Nm. This too only gets the 8-speed automatic as the transmission option. This model comes alive on the track, offering relentless shove and grip, it brings back the legendary joy of driving the 3 on the edge.
The suspension set up in the new 3 is much better than the predecessor’s. Offering a flattering balance between track-oriented stiffness and a pliant ride over broken tarmac, the suspension benefits from the continuously variable control offered by the dampers. Varying damper firmness based on changes to spring travel, helps cut down the jarring ride that can result from a rigid set up and at the same time it also kept it sporty while I was tackling corners at the Portimão track. M Sport and Adaptive M suspension with electronically controlled dampers with are also available as options. The steering feels a bit over-assisted and light in comfort mode, but in sport mode it weight up considerably and offers more feedback, though it is not lacking in precision in either of the modes.
Bottom Line
The only irritating bit about the new 3 Series comes in the form of the rather intrusive automated assistance systems, which incorporates all manner of lane keeping, cruise control and braking functions. Some of these functions can be annoying when they butt in unexpectedly. The one addition here that I liked was the reversing assistant which helps trace back the last 50 metres of your route in reverse mode if you are faced with a dead-end or traffic bottleneck.
I still feel that despite some of the bugs and niggles, the new 3 Series makes a strong comeback allowing passionate drivers to exploit its many new strengths.