The BMW 3-Series is an iconic vehicle and in line with BMW’s life cycle program, is now due for a facelift. What you see here in the images on this page is indeed the facelift, however we understand if you’re hard-pressed to spot the differences.

The BMW 3-Series is a seriously popular vehicle, and if the BMW marketing speak is to be believed, the founder of the modern sports sedan market. Having driven numerous BMW 3s over the years, I can happily agree with this statement. It’s just that complete. It’s interesting to note that around one in every four BMWs sold in the world is a 3-Series, which speaks volumes about its popularity.

What’s New for 2015?

Some new engines, a visual tweak and some incredible technology headline the 2015 BMW 3-Series. From launch, there will be four petrol motors and seven diesels with power rangingfrom 85kW to 240kW. These engines can be hooked up to a six-speed manual gearbox and an eight-speed Steptronic transmission (standard on the BMW330d, BMW335d and BMW340i Touring). Rear-wheel drive is retained, although some models gain BMW’s xDrive all-wheel drive, however these have never seen introduction into the South African market.

In terms of design, the front receives new aprons with revised air intakes which accentuate the perception of width, while the sensor for the optional Active Cruise Control is neatly integrated into the central air intake. The rear apron design features standard LED rear lights. Full-LED headlights can now be specified as an option.

The interior receives a classy update in the form of new materials and additional chrome highlights for the controls, air vents and central control panel. The newly-crafted centre console with a sliding cover for the cupholders enables better use of the storage surfaces forward of the gearshift lever, which improves the ergonomics. There’s awide range of personalisation options as far as upholstery and interior trim elements are concerned, as well as new wheels, exterior colours and equipment optionsthatround off the specification choices for the new BMW3-Series.

New Engines

Finally, there are the new engines. The headline act is a toss up between the three-cylinder engine making its 3-Series and segment debut, or the mighty 340i.All the three, four and six-cylinder petrol engines and the four-cylinder diesel units in the BMW316d, BMW318d and BMW320d are now sourced from the newly developed, modular BMWEfficientDynamics engine family.

Making its BMW3-Series debut is afour-cylinder petrol engine in the BMW320iSedanwhich offers acombined fuel consumption of 5.9–5.3l/100kmwhilecombined CO2 emissions range from 138–124g/km, depending on transmission.TheBMW330i Sedan now has a four-cylinder engine, while the BMW 340i features an all-new six cylinder turbo engine. The 330i offers acombined fuel consumptionfigure of6.5–5.5L/100km and combined CO2 emissions of 151–129g/km. The six-cylinder petrol unit in the BMW340iSedanhas acombined fuel consumptionof7.7–6.5L/100km with combined CO2 emissions: 179–152g/km).

All engines have been tweaked and offer enhanced efficiency and improved emissions. Consumption and CO2 emissions are claimed to be reduced by as much as 11%. For example, the new 320d EfficientDynamics Edition Sedan has a combined fuel consumption of just 4.3–3.8l/100km with combined CO2 emissions of 113–99g/km). Not bad at all for a vehicle with 120kW fitted with the eight-speed Steptronic transmission and standard tyres.

Also new are the enhancements to the six-speed manual gearbox, which now automatically blips the throttle on downshifts, while theeight-speed Steptronic transmission allows multiple sequential downshifts, which has a positive effect on smoothness and sound while the coasting function increases efficiency.

Technology

TheBMWConnectedDrive system is also subject to some revisions in the new 3-Series facelift. The full-colour BMWHead-Up Display in the new BMW3Series enables all relevant information to be displayed directly in the driver’s field of vision, leaving the motorist to concentrate fully on the road ahead. The Professional navigation system boasts quicker start-up, significantly faster route calculation and even more realistic 3D graphics with the navigation maps automatically updated free of charge for a period of three years.

Other upgrades include the embedded SIM card now allowing LTE connectivity,the Parking Assistant canenable automatic parallel parking as well, while Auto PDC also automatically activates the front parking sensors when manoeuvring.

BMW 3-Series Facelift Price in South Africa

The BMW 3-Series facelift Sedan will goon sale in South Africa in the third quarter of 2015, so that’s around August/September. Pricing is as follows:

BMW 318i– R409 000

BMW 320i– R443 820

BMW 320d– R472 000

BMW 330i– R518 359

BMW 330d– R596 923

BMW 340i– R661 335