Facelifted BMW 3 Series Breaks Cover, Launch Likely By Late 2022
The highlight of the refresh is the new dual display setup with a curved 14.9-inch touchscreen system taking centre stage
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Exterior changes include a revised grille, tweaked bumpers, and updated headlights.
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Inside, it gets a rotary gear lever, redesigned centre console, and dual displays.
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Gets amenities like three-zone climate control, wireless phone charging, and ADAS.
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BMW now offers it with a 48V mild-hybrid tech in its base petrol and diesel versions.
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India launch expected in late 2022 and likely to be priced at a premium over the existing model.
BMW has globally unveiled the facelifted seventh-gen 3 Series sedan. Being a mid-life update, it gets changes on both the exterior and interior, but thankfully not as wild as on the carmaker’s latest models.
On the outside, the facelifted sedan gets a revised and somewhat larger front grille and sleeker LED headlights (adaptive units come optional) with inverted L-shaped LED DRLs. The little kinks in the headlight clusters have now been removed. It also comes with a tweaked front bumper which now houses a much larger air dam, with L-shaped air vents at the corners.
In profile, the 3 Series remains as it was with the only exception being of a new design for its alloy wheels. At the back, changes are minimal and restricted to a revised bumper and repositioned light reflectors. BMW has also provided the updated sedan with M-specific upgrades in the form of a redesigned front grille, bigger alloy wheels, and bumpers.
The most noticeable upgrades are inside the cabin, with dual displays (a 12.3-inch unit for instrumentation and a 14.9-inch curved touchscreen system) stealing the spotlight. BMW has provided the infotainment unit with its latest iDrive 8 software. Other changes include a revised centre console with a new smaller rotary gear lever. The climate controls are now a part of the touchscreen while other functions can be performed using voice controls.
Features on board include three-zone climate control, powered front seats, wireless phone charging, Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), and park assist with front and rear parking sensors.
Also Read: BMW Debuts The i7 Luxury Electric Limousine And The New-gen 7 Series
The sedan gets different engine options depending on the market it’s available in. Having said that, BMW has provided the base-spec petrol and diesel engines with a 48V mild-hybrid tech. The carmaker is also offering the facelifted 3 Series with up to four plug-in hybrid choices and ‘M’ variants.
In India, the sedan currently gets three engine options: a 2-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine (258PS/400Nm), a 2-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine (190PS/400Nm), and a 3-litre straight-six turbo-petrol engine (387PS/500Nm). All engines are paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission.
The facelifted 3 Series is expected to go on sale in India by late 2022 and be priced at a premium over the existing model’s price range (Rs 46.9 lakh to Rs 65.9 lakh ex-showroom Delhi). It will continue to take on the Mercedes-Benz C-Class, Audi A4, Jaguar XE, and Volvo S60.
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