The all-new BMW 3 Series is headed for South Africa in March 2019. Here's what you can expect in terms features and pricing…

Codenamed G20, the 3 Series is an important productfor BMW and the newmodel needs to up its game if it’s to effectively compete against cars such as Audi’s A4 and the Mercedes-Benz C-Class.

In terms of dimensions,the new 3 Series has grown in length by 85 mm while standing 16 mm wider and just 1 mm taller than the outgoing model. Up front, the new 3 wears a largekidney grille with a single surround which is flanked by newly-shaped LED headlights. Other new details include T-shaped air intakes, twin exhaust pipes at the rear and slim L-shaped 3D taillights. Trim lines include Advantage, Sport Line, Luxury Line and M Sport.

A revised interior with new display screens and the latest iDrive 7.0 operating system boosts the technology offering inside the new 3 Series.

The major highlight inside the new 3 Series is the inclusion of the BMW Live Cockpit Professional which comprises a large 12.3-inch displayfor the instrument cluster and a 10.25-inch infotainment system, the latter of which is now equipped the latest iDrive 7.0 operating system. A head-up display with a 70% larger surface area is also offered. A wide range of driver assistancefeatures are also on offer, including a Reversing Assistant which was also recently introduced on the new BMW X5.

The rear seat is split 40:20:40 as standard and the load bay offers up to 480-litres of space.

Engine Choice

The new BMW 3 Series will arrive in SA in March 2019. Local specification and pricing details have yet to be confirmed.

The BMW 3 Series will offer 6 engine variants from launch including the 320i, 330i, 318d, 320d, 320d xDrive and the 330d. The 4-cylinder 2.0-litreturbopetrolengine powering the320i offers 135 kW and 300 Nm with a claimed fuel consumption figure of between 5.7 – 6.0 L/100km. The 330i has more grunt with 190 kW and 400 Nm of torque and fuel consumption is claimed at between 5.8 – 6.1 L/100km. Both are mated to an 8-speed Steptronic transmission.

The diesel range kicks off with the 318d with 4-cylinder, 2.0-litre turbodiesel engine offering 110 kW and 320 Nm of torque which is mated with a 6-speed manual transmission as standard while an 8-speed automatic transmission is optional. Fuel consumption for this engine is claimed at between 4.2 – 4.5 L/100km. The 320d is more powerful with figures of 140 kW and 400 Nm of torque and BMW claims an average fuel consumption figure of 4.4 – 4.7 L/100km. The 140 kW/400 Nm 320d xDrive employs BMW's all-wheel-drive system and is fitted with an 8-speed automatic transmission as standard with claimed fuel consumption figures coming in at between 4.5 – 4.8 L/100km.

A 6-cylinder, 3.0-litre turbodiesel engine is found under the bonnet of the 330d and it has outputs of 195 kW and 580 Nm of torque. this derivative is equipped with an 8-speed automatic transmission and fuel consumption is rated at between 4.8 – 5.2 L/100km.

The new 3 Series rides on a stiffer chassis with a lower centre of gravity and 50:50 weight distribution. A range of options can be chosen to further sharpen dynamics including M Sport suspension with lowered ride height, Adaptive M suspension, variable sport steering, M sport brakes and M Sport differential.

According to BMW's online car configurator, 2 engine choices will be offered to customers from launch, including the 330i and 320d (See pricing below).

The new BMW 3 Series will go on sale in South Africa in March 2019. We will keep you informed as soon as more details become available.

New BMW 3 Series – Price in SA

BMW 330i – R652 416

BMW 320d – R649 253

BMW 330i Sport Line auto – R676 016

BMW 330i M Sport auto – R699 816

BMW 320d Sport Line – R672 853

BMW 320d M Sport automatic – R694 653

Watch the new 3 Series in action

Buy a new or used BMW 3 Series on Cars.co.za

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