The BMW 3-Series is the epitome of driving pleasure and the benchmark for sporting prowess in the premium mid-size segment. The launch of the new BMW 3-Series Sedan and new BMW 3-Series Touring around the world will get underway in July 2022. Both models will be built at BMW Group Plant Munich. The BMW 3-Series Sedan will be available worldwide and produced not only at the company’s main factory, but also at two other facilities. The new BMW 3-Series Sedan for the Chinese market will be made at the Tiexi plant in Shenyang operated by the BMW Brilliance Automotive (BBA) joint venture. The latest production location for the Sedan is the BMW Group’s San Luis Potosí plant in Mexico, which opened in 2019. With more than 45 years of global success under its belt, the 3-Series also represents the core of the BMW brand. Precise design modifications shine an even brighter spotlight on the dynamic character of the BMW 3-Series Sedan and BMW 3-Series Touring. A newly designed cockpit with BMW Curved Display brings ground-breaking modernity and digitalisation to the interior. The latest-generation operating system – BMW Operating System 8 – enables the number of buttons and controls to be reduced significantly. All variants of the new BMW 3-Series Sedan and new BMW 3-Series Touring now come as standard with an eight-speed Steptronic transmission with gearshift paddles on the steering wheel and a newly designed selector lever. Added to which, additions to standard specification increase the appeal of the new BMW 3-Series, while a new newly structured optional equipment offering makes it easier for customers to individualise their car exactly according to their preferences.
Among other signature features of the BMW 3-Series are the wide range of drive systems available and an exceptionally fine balance struck between driving pleasure and fuel economy. The new BMW 3-Series Sedan can be ordered in three plug-in hybrid variants, and the new BMW 3-Series Touring in a choice of four. Added to which, four petrol and four diesel engines with four or six cylinders are offered for both the Sedan and Touring. At the head of the respective line-ups are two BMW Performance models from BMW M GmbH with a particularly sharp sporting edge. All of which means the BMW 3-Series can be ordered with outputs from 110 kW/150 hp to 275 kW/374 hp. The models in the BMW 3-Series range therefore have what it takes to win over discerning target groups in the premium mid-size segment – customers with widely varying preferences but a shared love of driving pleasure, elegantly sporty design and advanced technology. The vehicle concept underpinning the BMW 3-Series is characterised by an extraordinary depth of engineering, and this is reflected in the broad spread of distinctions collected just by the latest model generation. Its trophy cabinet is stocked with a host of important awards, including the “Goldene Lenkrad” presented by Auto Bild magazine and the Bild am Sonntag newspaper, which was won by the BMW 330e Sedan in 2020. And the car has also picked up renowned prizes outside Germany. The huge popularity of the BMW 3-Series among company car drivers is underscored by honours including “Best New Fleet Car” for 2020 in Great Britain and “Best Company Car” in 2021 in Germany. BMW xDrive comes as standard on the range-topping models, and intelligent all-wheel drive is also available as an option for two petrol variants (BMW 3-Series Touring: one petrol variant), two diesels and plug-in hybrid models.
With a design refresh for the exterior, an extensively modernised premium ambience for the cabin and the latest advances in the areas of digitalisation, control/operation and equipment, the new BMW 3-Series Sedan and new BMW 3-Series Touring have all the tools necessary to write another chapter in their worldwide success story. Since the original BMW 3-Series went on sale in 1975, more than 16 million units of this model range have been sold across its generations. And over 1.1 million customers have so far plumped for the generation of the BMW 3-Series Sedan and BMW 3-Series Touring available since 2019 alone. This means demand has been stronger for this model generation in the first three years of its life than for any of the preceding 3-Series generations over the same time period. China, Germany, the USA and Great Britain remain the most important markets for the BMW 3-Series. This is especially true for the new BMW 3-Series Sedan. Indeed, it was with the first generation of this model variant that BMW established the concept of the sports sedan – one which continues to enjoy worldwide popularity to this day. The BMW 3-Series Touring is now likewise a time-honoured ambassador for brand-typical driving pleasure. First unveiled exactly 35 years ago, it has added an extra model-specific injection of functionality to the exceptional agility and dynamic ability it shares with the Sedan. This combination, enhanced by the distinctive lines of its design, continues to fuel high demand – most notably in Europe. Indeed, around one in five BMW 3-Series sold is a Touring, and in Germany, in particular, that share is significantly higher still. The latest update of the BMW 3-Series Touring will again be offered in Europe, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Australia and New Zealand. In 2021 the BMW 3-Series was the market leader in the premium segment of its class in countries including Germany, Great Britain and China. In the USA, too, it leads the way ahead of the established premium competitors. The BMW 3-Series accounts for around 14 per cent of the brand’s vehicle sales worldwide.
The focus on dynamism and modernity woven into the exterior design of the BMW 3-Series is also reflected in the restructured model range. The boldly sporty appearance of the new BMW 3-Series is apparent even in standard specification. This stylistic dynamism can be ramped up even further with the optional M Sport package, while the M Sport package Pro is available for the first time. Detailed exterior design upgrades ensure that the character of the new BMW 3-Series and its emphasis on driving pleasure now shine through even more clearly. The front and rear apron of both the four-door model – the sports sedan, to use its more commonly used description – and the dynamically excellent Touring now have an extremely striking design as standard. The characteristic BMW kidney grille and twin circular headlights have also been meticulously redesigned. With its clearly structured surfaces, dynamic lines and large air intakes, the front apron adds to the sporty appearance of the new BMW 3-Series Sedan and BMW 3-Series Touring. The redesigned headlights and kidney grille also give the car strong visual presence. The lightly modified contours and new double bars give the BMW kidney grille an even more powerful look. Air intakes in Black high-gloss positioned below the kidney grille to cool the braking system add a sophisticated touch. The standard full-LED headlights are now much slimmer, with clear contours and daytime driving lights arranged in an inverted L shape to create a harmonious and modern look. The outer daytime driving light elements also serve as turn indicators. Adaptive LED Headlights are available as an option, and are identifiable by the blue strip around the daytime driving light elements and a matching blue accent strip on the upper edge of the glass cover. Blue light effects below the headlight units also give the front end a striking and high-class appearance in the hours of darkness. The Adaptive LED Headlights’ range of functions includes the cornering light and non-dazzling matrix high beam as well as dynamic headlight range control and variable light distribution. The latter includes the urban lights, with their particularly broad illumination of the roadside; motorway beam pattern, with increased low beam range; and bad weather light, which not only illuminates the road according to the conditions but also assumes the function of the previously separate fog lights.
Highly efficient petrol and diesel engines with BMW TwinPower Turbo technology and electrification in the form of plug-in hybrid and 48V mild hybrid technology ensure the powertrains available for the new BMW 3-Series strike an exceptionally fine balance between driving pleasure and fuel economy. An eight-speed Steptronic transmission with gearshift paddles on the steering wheel is now standard for all models. BMW 3-Series customers can choose from a larger selection of powertrain variants than the brand offers for any other model range. The plug-in hybrid drive system is offered at two output levels, with system output of either 150 kW/204 hp or 215 kW/292 hp and an electric range of up to 62 kilometres / 38.5 miles (BMW 320e Sedan) in the WLTP cycle. Topping the model range are four BMW Performance models from BMW M GmbH. The BMW M340i xDrive Sedan and BMW M 340i xDrive Touring are fitted with a 275 kW/374 hp six-cylinder in-line petrol engine. The six-cylinder in-line diesel engine powering the BMW M340d xDrive Sedan and BMW M340d xDrive Touring develops maximum output of 250 kW/340 hp. And the line-up also includes three four-cylinder petrol engines with 115 kW/156 hp, 135 kW/184 hp and 180 kW/245 hp, two four-cylinder diesel units producing 110 kW/150 hp and 140 kW/190 hp, and a 210 kW/286 hp straight-six diesel.A comprehensive round of updates for BMW’s TwinPower Turbo technology has brought improvements in the power delivery of the most powerful of the three four-cylinder petrol engines available for the new BMW 3-Series. These have an exhaust manifold integrated into the cylinder head and an upgraded turbocharger system. The latest version of the 2.0-litre engine is fitted in the BMW 330i Sedan, BMW 330i xDrive Sedan, BMW 330i Touring and BMW 330i xDrive Touring models. It develops maximum output of 180 kW/245 hp between 4,500 and 6,500 rpm.
Mild hybrid technology gives the six-cylinder in-line petrol engine and the four diesel units available for the new BMW 3-Series exceptionally responsive power delivery and optimised efficiency. Here, a 48V starter-generator acts like an electric drive unit to assist the engine, allowing it to operate within an efficiency-optimised load range as frequently as possible. It also offers the driver an electric boost effect that can instantly put an extra 8 kW/11 hp on tap to give the power unit even sharper response when accelerating off the line or putting in a quick burst of speed. Eight-speed Steptronic transmission now standard on all models; BMW xDrive also available in plug-in hybrid models. The mild hybrid system allows particularly intensive use of the electric power generated through Brake Energy Regeneration and stored in an additional battery. This is used not only to provide the engine with its electric power boost, but also – via a voltage transformer – to supply power to the vehicle’s 12V electrical system, enabling exceptionally efficient operation of the electric consumers in the new car. The engine in the BMW 318d Sedan and BMW 318d Touring entry-level diesel models now also teams up with an eight-speed Steptronic transmission as standard. The sporting character of the power delivery is underscored by the now likewise standard gearshift paddles on the multifunction steering wheel, which enable extremely rapid manual interventions in the gear selection process.
The top-of-the-line models also come as standard with BMW xDrive intelligent all-wheel drive. This fully variable transmission of power to all four wheels is also available as an alternative to classical rear-wheel drive for the Sedan and Touring variants of the BMW 320i (Sedan only), BMW 330i, BMW 320d and BMW 330d. In addition, customers ordering the two plug-in hybrid variants of the new BMW 3-Series Touring and the BMW 330e Sedan can also choose to have the power from their combustion engines / electric motors channelled onto the road by means of BMW xDrive. Gearshift paddles are also part of the armoury for the eight-speed Steptronic Sport transmission, which stands out with its particularly sharp shift dynamics, provides a Launch Control function for traction-optimised acceleration off the line and unlocks ultra-quick bursts of mid-range power with its Sprint function. The eight-speed Steptronic Sport transmission is standard for the BMW Performance models and will also be offered as an option for all other variants of the new BMW 3-Series Sedan and new BMW 3-Series Touring, with the exception of the entry-level petrol and diesel models. A host of driver assistance systems available as standard or on the options list elevate the comfort and safety of the new BMW 3-Series to another new level. When it comes to breadth of functionality and availability, the automated driving and parking systems are among the best on the market. They assist the driver and ease their workload in myriad situations. Camera images and the data gathered by ultrasonic and radar sensors are used to monitor the area around the car, warn the driver of possible dangers, minimise the risk of an accident with braking and steering inputs, and carry out automated parking and other manoeuvres.
An inimitable brand of driving pleasure is in the genes of the BMW 3-Series, and its sporting aura is showcased with even greater intensity by the new wave of detailed exterior design modifications. In addition to the M Sport package and M Sport package Pro options available ex factory, the products in the BMW M Performance Parts range offer more ways of bringing even greater dynamism to the appearance and driving properties of the new BMW 3-Series Sedan and new BMW 3-Series Touring. The light-alloy wheels offered through the BMW M Performance Parts programme give the new BMW 3-Series Sedan and new BMW 3-Series Touring a distinctive appearance. And they can even be specified in 20-inch format – a wheel size not available from the factory. With their weight-saving construction and specification with mixed-size tyres or sports tyres for transmitting higher cornering forces even more effectively, they imbue the car with still greater dynamic prowess. Model-specific aerodynamic and exterior components such as the M Performance carbon-fibre rear diffuser, the M Performance carbon-fibre rear wing for the sports sedan and the M Performance rear spoiler in combination with the new rear fins for the Touring model ensure authentic motor sport looks. And they also have a positive effect on the airflow around the car. The model-specific retrofit options reflect the passion for ultimate performance and the motor racing experience amassed by BMW M GmbH over its now 50-year history. With their exclusive design, classy materials and exceptional quality, they offer customers smile-inducing dynamic appeal with an individual touch.
BMW M Performance Parts for the new BMW 3-Series Sedan and new BMW 3-Series Touring:
18-inch M Performance light-alloy wheels M double-spoke style 796 M, Jet Black matt with mixed tyres, set of complete wheels with summer tyres
19-inch M Performance light-alloy wheels double-spoke style 793, Night Gold diamond polished with mixed tyres, set of complete wheels with summer tyres • 19-inch M Performance light-alloy wheels V-spoke style 898 M, Frozen Gunmetal Grey with mixed tyres and sports tyres, set of complete wheels with summer tyres
20-inch M Performance forged wheels, Y-spoke style 794 M, Jet Black diamond polished with mixed tyres, set of complete wheels with summer tyres
20-inch M Performance forged wheels, Y-spoke style 795 M, Ferric Grey matt gloss-milled with mixed tyres, set of complete wheels with summer tyres
20-inch M Performance forged wheels, Y-spoke style 795 M, Jet Black matt with mixed tyres, set of complete wheels with summer tyres
M Performance carbon-fibre front ornamental grille
M Performance carbon-fibre front-end attachment part
M Performance carbon-fibre door sill trim, left/right
M Performance carbon-fibre exterior mirror caps, left/right
M Performance aramid antenna cover
M Performance sill attachment part in Black high-gloss
M Performance rear fins in Black high-gloss (BMW 3-Series Touring)
M Performance rear spoiler in Black matt (BMW 3-Series Sedan)
M Performance carbon-fibre rear spoiler (BMW 3-Series Sedan)
M Performance carbon-fibre rear wing (BMW 3-Series Sedan)
M Performance rear spoiler in Black high-gloss (BMW 3-Series Touring)
M Performance carbon-fibre rear diffuser
M Performance rear bumper trim in Black high-gloss
