Executive class

Jim O'Donnell, managing director of BMW Great Britain, said the new 3 Series faces the daunting task of upstaging "what is the defining car of its generation and market sector".

No arguments with that statement and, with uprated engines and a more focused design, the new 3 Series looks set for continued success.

BMW maintains that the new car will deliver an even more dynamic driving experience than its predecessor, accelerates faster and achieves a higher top speed but not to the detriment of economy, with the new 330i delivering improvements in fuel consumption, while the 320i and 320d match their predecessors.

Powering the new series is a range of engines all married to a standard six-speed manual gearbox (six-speed automatic optional. Range topper is the 330i fitted with the most powerful, yet lightest, six-cylinder engine in its class - the same engine that powers the recently launched BMW 630i Coup. Delivering 258bhp and 300Nm (221lb/ft) between 2,500rpm and 4,000rpm, this engine takes the car from zero to 62mph in 6.3 seconds. However, says BMW, this is not at the expense of economy, with the 330i returning 33.5mpg combined fuel consumption.

These levels of performance are made possible by a number of significant developments in engine design and construction. The engine sees BMW use magnesium in its construction process for the first time in large-scale series production, which weighs less than aluminium.

Additionally, the new 3.0-litre unit is the first six-cylinder engine to feature BMW's patented Valvetronic induction system, designed to deliver the increased fuel efficiency and engine response.

Also joining the six-cylinder model range in spring will be the 325i, delivering 218bhp at 6,500rpm and 250Nm (184lb/ft) at 2,750-4,250rpm.

The new range will also include a two-litre diesel and a two-litre petrol variant. The BMW 320d, currently the UK's most popular 3 Series model, features second-generation common rail diesel technology and turbocharger to deliver 163bhp and 340Nm (251lb/ft) of torque.

This provides the car with the best of all worlds. Acceleration to 62mph is reached in 8.3 seconds. While delivering this level of performance, it also achieves 49.6mpg on the combined cycle and, as an additional benefit to the company car driver, is EU4 compliant.

The engine is based on that of the outgoing 318i, but with improvements to the induction and exhaust systems. Also benefiting from Valvetronic and Bi-Vanos systems, the new 320i produces 150bhp at 6,200rpm, with a maximum torque of 200Nm (147lb/ft) at 3,600rpm. This enables the car to accelerate to 62mph from standstill in 9.0 seconds, and chalk up a frugal 38.2mpg. Other four-cylinder 3 Series variants will follow during the year.

Special features to look out for include a new traction control system, brake standby that pre-tensions the brakes when the driver quickly eases the pressure from the accelerator pedal, and Soft Stop a system that controls braking to stop the car nose-diving when travelling slowly. Also included is a Start-Off Assistant that uses the clutch to prevent the car from rolling back on a hill-start and a brake detector that ensures the discs are kept dry and responsive on wet roads.

With the addition of six airbags as standard, including curtain head airbags for front and rear occupants, the car is expected to receive a five-star Euro NCAP rating. Also supporting these high standards of safety are a number of familiar systems from other BMW models.

Brake Force Display is standard for the first time on 3 Series saloons, offering two stage brake lights. Brake lights illuminate normally in average driving conditions, but during an emergency stop, or when the anti-lock braking cuts in, the area of brake light illumination increases to warn those travelling behind of the situation ahead.

Another first are run-flat tyres. Like the 1, 5 and 6 Series models, run-flat tyres are offered as standard, and with the recent developments in run-flat technology, the car can now be driven for 150 miles at 50mph with up to four punctured tyres, allowing most drivers to get to a garage.

Like the levels of standard and safety equipment, the proportions of the car have also grown over its predecessor. Measuring 4,520mm (+49mm) in length, 2,760mm (+35mm) in wheelbase, 1,817mm (+78mm) in width and 1,424mm (+9mm) in height, the new car offers a spacious and light cabin. Back seat passengers benefit from an increase in head, shoulder, elbow and leg room.

For those customers opting for either Business or Professional navigation systems, BMW's iDrive operating concept comes as standard for the first time in a car of this class. Replacing the conventional single hood dashboard layout, the display screen sits centrally on the dashboard in a second binnacle to deliver navigation information alongside on-board computer information, entertainment and climate control adjustments and check control messages.

Also available is Comfort Access. All cars receive a newly-designed key that replaces the conventional blade-type key, but with Comfort Access the key contains an ID Sensor that the car recognises from a short distance away.

On recognition, the doors are unlocked automatically and the car can be started with one push of the starter button.

The system also works in tandem with BMW's familiar key memory system to ensure that the seating position, door mirrors, personalised air conditioning settings and radio reception are automatically adjusted to the current driver's settings before they enter the car.

Updated: 09:33 Friday, November 05, 2004