3 Series Coupé: new face.

BMW has announced a raft of improvements and changes to the 3 Series range to offer drivers more power and torque with lower fuel consumption and emissions. All the new engines and models make their debut in the UK market on 20 March and conform to EU5 emissions standards.

BMW announced on 18 January that its 3 Series Coupé and Convertible receive design changes and interior enhancements which it says are intended to keep both models at the forefront of their respective sectors. The company will also launch the BMW 320d EfficientDynamics Saloon – its cleanest 3 Series ever.

It is interesting to reflect on just how far diesel technology has come in a dozen years.  Back in 1997, BMW’s 325td Saloon had 25% more engine capacity than today’s standard 320d Saloon. Yet the intervening years have made the 325td look sluggish and thirsty by comparison. 

Today’s standard 320d Saloon – not the 320d EfficientDynamics Saloon variant – has 58% more power, 71% more torque, 36% lower emissions and consumes 58% less diesel.  At 7.5 seconds to 60 mph, it is also 4.5 seconds or 38% quicker – that’s progress!

Competition

BMW UK managing director Tim Abbott told ModernSelling.com: ‘Competition in the car market is hotter than ever today. The BMW 3 Series Coupé and Convertible were already class-leading models, but we have no intention of sitting on our laurels and are offering customers more of what they want – on-road performance and ever more fuel efficiency with lower CO2 emissions combined with a refreshed look inside and out.’

He added: ‘These inspirational models come at the same time as a true CO2 champion in the form of the BMW 320d EfficientDynamics Saloon. This is a car which combines true BMW performance with astonishing fuel efficiency.’

The diesel’s highly respectable 0-62 mph acceleration time of 8.0 seconds and combined fuel consumption of 68.9mpg is complemented by CO2 emissions of just 109g/km makes this car well worth considering for the business user with its predicted low lifetime running costs.

Coupé and Convertible

Coupé and Convertible models have been an essential ingredient in BMW’s portfolio since the 1930s: together they account for around one third of BMW 3 Series volume. The current models – third generation for the Coupé and fourth generation for the Convertible, which is the first one to feature a retractable hardtop – feature new front and rear lights, a revised kidney grille, a new front air dam, rear valance and side rocker panels.

Coupé and Convertible: since the 1930s.

The face of both models has been subtly restyled by adding a twisted chrome band around the kidneys, new lights with bright white LED corona rings, indicators and side repeaters and an illuminated ‘eyebrow’. A new front air dam with a single large air intake is embellished with matt aluminium fins to give the car a wider and lower frontal appearance and, thus, a more dynamic look.

At the rear all red light clusters feature LED light bars and the re-styled rear bumper visually reduces the perception of height, again giving a more dynamic stance. In profile the cars are slightly longer than the former model due to the new front and rear valances – by 29mm at the front and 3mm at the rear. Contrasting character lines on the side valances and rear bumper enhance the sporting stance of both cars, while new standard wheel designs (and a new optional 18-inch alloy) and three new exterior colours, Vermillion Red, Deep Sea Blue and Mineral White, put the finishing touches to the exterior.

Inside, Dakota Leather is now standard on all Coupé and Convertible models while new Anthracite Bamboo trim offers a fresh, modern feel.

M variants

M Sport variants account for 65% of BMW 3 Series Coupé and Convertible sales in the UK and have been revised to reflect the refreshed models. They consist of a revised front spoiler design, a new 19-inch M Sport wheel and the new colour of Mineral White.

Coupé: prices start at £27,845.

Prices for the new BMW 3 Series Coupé start at £27,845 on the road (OTR) for a 320i SE and £30,200 OTR for a 320d SE. This rises to £52,730 OTR for a BMW M3 Coupé. Entry into the BMW 3 Series Convertible club starts at £32,905 OTR for a 320i SE and £35,115 OTR for a 320d SE rising to £56,740 OTR for an M3 Convertible.

New models get more powerful and efficient engines

The BMW 320d Coupé and Convertible models feature a new version of the familiar and parsimonious four-cylinder diesel engine – a unit that was already class-leading before this update. It now delivers 184hp (up 7 hp) and 380 Nm of torque (up 30 Nm). In the case of the Coupé this has shortened the 0-62 mph sprint by 0.4 seconds to 7.5 seconds, at the same time reducing consumption by 1.2 mpg to 60.1 mpg and lowering emissions by 3g/km to 125g/km. The values for the Convertible are 0- 62 mph in 8.3 seconds, consumption is 55.4 mpg and emissions 135g/km. The BMW Coupé is capable of reaching a top speed of 147mph with the Convertible attaining 142mph.

The six-cylinder 325d versions of both cars claim similar all-round improvements. Engine output is 7 hp higher at 204 hp, and torque is up from 400 to 430 Nm, enabling the Coupé to shave 0.4 seconds off its 2009 0- 62 mph time, now arriving in 6.9 seconds. While fuel consumption remains the same at 49.6mpg, CO2 emissions are lower by 2g/km at 151g/km. The equivalent Convertible values are 0- 62 mph in 7.5 seconds, 46.3 mpg and 160 g/km.

Meanwhile, although the flagship 335i derivative retains the same power and torque figures – a ‘hearty’ 306 hp and 400 Nm respectively – consumption and emissions have been significantly reduced. This has been made possible by combining a single turbocharger with VALVETRONIC variable valve management and High-Precision Direct Injection for the first time.

Convertible: more efficient engines.

For example, the Coupé’s fuel consumption is 8% lower at 33.6 mpg, while CO2 output drops by over 10% to 196 g/km. Owners will also pay less tax each year since the 335i drops down a VED band to J. The BMW 335i Convertible also drops a VED band from L to K.

The BMW 335d Coupé has been refreshed resulting in an improved fuel consumption figure and lower CO2 emissions. It now records 42.8mpg on the combined cycle, an improvement of 0.6mpg, and 174g/km. The latter point means the car now qualifies for VED band H, a tier below its previous position.

Most efficient BMW 3 Series ever

BMW says the new 320d EfficientDynamics Saloon offers the strongest demonstration yet of the success of the company’s pioneering EfficientDynamics programme. This model is, for the moment, the ‘best example of the art of the possible, not by using hybrid technology or electric power but by refining still further the enduring internal combustion engine’.

It is the cleanest, most efficient BMW ever. At 109g/km, it is the first premium car with CO2 emissions under 110g/km and manages to eke out 68.9mpg from a single gallon of fuel on the combined cycle.

Being in VED band B, with annual road tax at just £35, this model will undoubtedly be a consideration for private buyers. Company car drivers and fleet managers may, in turn, be delighted for the same reasons but also because the BMW 320d EfficientDynamics Saloon attracts only 13% benefit in kind for drivers. Companies also benefit from the opportunity to write down 100% of its value in the first year, and claim tax relief against profits, greatly improving cash-flow.

The cash flow benefit and the lower cost of money should see contract-hire rates fall by up to 5% over 36 months, according to the fleet industry (compared with equivalent vehicles with emissions above 110g/km).

However, BMW  claims that the 320d’s green credentials are not traded in exchange for a ‘vanilla’ driving experience. The revised engine produces 163hp and 380Nm of torque, enabling the car to reach 62 mph in a creditable 8.0 seconds, accelerate smoothly in fifth gear from 50 to 75 mph in 9.1 seconds and reach a top speed of 142mph. Peak torque is available from 1,900rpm, ensuring flexibility where the driver needs it.

The remarkable range of abilities displayed by the BMW 320d EfficientDynamics Saloon is due not only to the full range of EfficientDynamics elements already described, but also to some new technologies that take the concept to a new level. It uses the same new all-aluminium 2.0-litre diesel engine announced above with developments to minimise friction and improve thermodynamics – resulting in more efficient motoring that is easy and comfortable to achieve.

Diesel engines are most efficient at lower engine speeds, but they suffer greater vibration at low revs. The challenge for BMW’s engineers was to minimise engine noise and restore comfort to allow drivers the use of lower revs. They achieved this by deploying centrifugal pendulum absorbers within the two-mass flywheel to compensate for the rotational lack of balance at lower speeds.

With this problem solved they could now choose a longer final drive ratio and a gearshift indicator that encourages earlier up-shifts. These technologies allow drivers to spend a greater proportion of time in a higher gear and at a lower engine speed, thereby lowering fuel consumption.

In addition, the chassis ride height has been lowered by 15mm, unique 16-inch ‘aero’ wheels are standard fitment and these are equipped with tyres with a lower rolling resistance, all measures to improve aerodynamics and reduce drag.

BMW says it will not charge extra for green enhancements: therefore, the BMW 320d EfficientDynamics Saloon costs the same as the 320d SE Saloon. The cleanest 3 Series ever has a retail price of £26,480 (£27,280 OTR) and shares an identical specification (excluding 16-inch aero alloy wheels) including automatic air conditioning, rear Park Distance Control and an auto dimming rear mirror.

Saloon and Touring ranges

BMW’s engineers have been hard at work on other engines to meet the challenge of marrying the benefits of a rewarding drive with a sustainable future. Hence the introduction of a new diesel engine for the BMW 3 Series Saloon and Touring that, with its sub 120g/km emissions, will prove to be a key car for the business buyer.

The BMW 318d has a 2.0-litre turbocharged unit with variable vane technology and common rail direct fuel injection. It delivers 143 hp and 320 Nm of torque from only 1,750rpm. The 20 Nm boost helps the 318d Saloon to reach 62mph in 9.1 seconds (Touring in 9.4 seconds) while both go on to reach a top speed of 130mph.

On the combined fuel consumption cycle, the Saloon achieves 62.8mpg and emits only 119g/km of CO2 (Touring records 62.8mpg and 120g/km).

Both models have lowered emissions enough to drop below the critical 120g/km threshold, putting them in band C for VED and just 13% benefit-in-kind taxation. BMW expects this to give it a clear advantage against key competitors in the battle for corporate sales.

Like the equivalent powerplants in the BMW 3 Series Coupé and Convertible ranges, the 320d, 325d, 335i and 335d variants of the 3 Series Saloon and Touring also receive enhancements in the engine bay. The 320d Saloon now has a 0-62 mph time of 7.5 seconds (Touring 7.7 seconds), down from 7.9 seconds, while combined fuel consumption is now 60.1 mpg (58.9 mph) and emissions are 125 g/km (128 g/km).

The latest BMW 325d Saloon’s six-cylinder engine will propel it to 62 mph in 7.0 seconds (Touring is 7.2 seconds) while combined fuel consumption is 49.6 mpg (48.7 mpg) and CO2 emissions are 151g/km (153g/km). Similarly, the 335d Saloon and Touring marginally improve fuel consumption from 42.2 mpg to 42.8mpg (42.2mpg for Touring) and CO2 emissions now at 174g/km (176g/km).

The BMW 335i Saloon and Touring – featuring a new single turbocharged 3.0-litre engine – sees improvements in fuel consumption, emissions and VED rates. The Saloon variant is now capable of 33.6 mpg, 196 g/km emissions and drops into band J VED tier. By comparison, the Touring variant records 33.2mpg and 199g/km.

Finally, The BMW 316d Saloon can now be specified with optional 17- or 18-inch alloys instead of only being offered with 16-inch alloy wheels for enhanced customer choice.

Green technology

The full palette of EfficientDynamics technology comprises Brake Energy Regeneration, Intelligent Alternator Control, Electric Power Steering, Auto Start-Stop, Active Aerodynamics, Optimum gearshift indicator, Low Rolling Resistance Tyres, low friction fluids and lightweight engineering. They are available, in full or part, across the entire range of BMW models and, unlike some manufacturers, included as standard.

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