Chennai, Aug 22: The all-new BMW 3 Series, the power-packed seventh generation of the sports sedan, was unveiled yesterday in Gurugram. Locally produced at BMW Group Plant Chennai, the latest BMW 3 Series is now available in diesel and petrol variants at BMW dealerships across India.
“Driving pleasure”
Speaking at the launch, president & chief executive officer, BMW Group India, Rudratej Singh, said, “3 is the heart and soul of BMW. As the ultimate sports sedan, for over four decades, it has been the flag bearer of ‘Sheer Driving Pleasure’. In its new avatar, the 3 has outdone itself once again. Built for thrill and driven by technology, BMW 3 Series is an automobile that creates an impeccable harmony between the driver, machine and road.” He added, “Enthusiasts waiting for the perfect luxury sports sedan will be undoubtedly drawn to its new design, generous space, luxurious interiors and host of innovative technologies. Our current patrons, who swear by the unmatched driving character of the 3, will be equally thrilled with its enhanced best-in-class handling and agility.”
Digital magic
Making its debut in the 3 Series is the BMW Virtual Assistant, a digital personality of the vehicle that responds to voice commands. It sets a new benchmark for voice recognition. Drivers can operate a number of car functions simply by speaking to their BMW Virtual Assistant. It can be addressed by saying ‘Hey BMW’ or a customer-defined wake word, thereby adding an individual touch to the car.
In BMW Gesture Control, which is part of a rigorously thought-out operating concept, recognizes six pre-defined hand movements to control a number of functions. The spread of driver assistance systems is more extensive than ever. The Reversing Assistant provides support while reversing out of a parking spot or through narrow driveways. It keeps a record of the last 50 metres driven and assists by taking over the steering.
More the merrier
BMW 3 Series adapts perfectly not only to a dynamic lifestyle but also to personal taste. It is available in three design schemes – Sport, Luxury Line and M Sport. It is available in two diesel variants (BMW 320dSport and BMW 320d Luxury Line) and in one petrol variant (BMW 330iM Sport) which are locally produced. Customers can choose from a variety of service plans according to duration and mileage of their preference.
These service packages cover Condition Based Service (CBS) and maintenance work with a choice of plans ranging from three years/40,000 kms to 10 years/2,00,000 kms. Additionally, another facility allows BMW customers to extend the service and repair packages during the run time by just paying a differential amount. BMW India also offers service packages for older cars. Optional BMW Repair inclusive extends warranty benefits from third year of operation to maximum sixth year, after the completion of the standard two-year.
Faster, lighter
Despite larger dimensions, the car is now lighter than before, thanks to intelligent lightweight construction. A smart mix of materials in the car, such as aluminum in the bonnet, front side panels, front spring struts and engine sub-frame have led to a reduction of 55 kilograms. The interior is designed to accentuate cabin spaciousness and the driver-focused cockpit.
Extended shoulder and elbow room in the front and additional legroom and headroom in the rear contribute to a generous feeling of space. Filling up the cabin with a sense of spaciousness is the large glass sunroof. Through loading system includes rear seat backrests that can be divided in a 40:20:40 ratio for greater flexibility.
Power-packed
With BMW Twin Power Turbo technology, the petrol and diesel engines meld maximum power with exemplary efficiency and offer spontaneous responsiveness even at low engine speeds.The two-litre four-cylinder petrol engine of the BMW 330i produces an output of 258hp and maximum torque of 400 Nm at 1,550 – 4,400 rpm. The car accelerates from 0 -100 km / hr in just 5.8 seconds.
