By Dave Abrahams
Rosslyn, Pretoria - BMW's refreshed and re-engined sixth-generation 3 Series, launched to the world media amid considerable fanfare less than three months ago in Austria, has now been more quietly released in South Africa.
The 3 Series sedan is actually made here, at BMW plant Rosslyn, in left and right-hand drive, as well as rear and all-wheel drive format; 85-90 percent of production is exported to North America, Australasia and some Asian markets.
Local customers, however, will have no reason to envy their European counterparts; the updated Three will be offered here with a full range of six engines - all turbocharged - to choose from, as well as an options list of the usual biblical proportions.
Munich's ultra-logical motorheads have settled on a cylinder size of just under half a litre for all their new engines, so the smallest is the 318i, a 1499cc petrol three (a first for a 3 Series) rated for 100kW from 4500-6000rpm and 220Nm from 1250-4300rpm, taking it from 0-100 in 8.9 seconds and on to 210km/h flat out.
That's followed followed by a two-litre diesel four, delivering 140kW at 4000 revs and 400Nm from 1750-2500rpm; that's sufficient for 0-100 in 7.2second and a terminal velocity of 235km/h.
TWO LEVELS OF TUNE
The two-litre turbopetrol will be available in two levels of tune - the 320i at 135kW from 5000-6500spm and 290Nm from 1350-4600rpm and the 330i, rated for 185kW from 5200-6500 and 350Nm from 5200-6500rpm.
The 320i will hit 100 in 7.2 seconds and max out at 235km/h; the 330i will do 5.9 and 250.
The 330d, we are happy to inform you, is still a three-litre straight six, in this application good for 190kW at 4000rpm and a grin-inducing 560Nm from 1500-300rpm; it launches to 100 in 5.6 seconds and tops out at an electronically limited 250.
And then there's the 340i, not a V8 but a new turbopetrol straight six for which the Blue Propeller boykies quote 240kW from 5500-6500 revs and 450Nm from 1380-5000rpm, delivering 0-100 in 5.1 seconds and an electronically limited 250 at Vmax.
The two sixes come only with eight-speed autoboxes, the rest with either six-speed manual or eight-speed auto transmissions - all driving the rear wheels, of course.
The highlights (if you'll forgive the pun) of the crisp, slightly more edgy styling are new headlight clusters with built-in LED daytime running lights; full LED headlights are an option, while standard LED tail-lights underline the width of the carat the rear.
GIZMOTRONICS
Inside, you'll find additional chromed trim elements, and a new centre console with a sliding cover for the cupholders to make the most of the space between the front seats.
The sixth-generation 3 Series is better connected than ever before, with a wide range of web-based services driver aids, including a full-colour head-up display and uprated satnav with crisp, realistic 3D graphics - and automatic free updates on the navigation maps at your BMW dealer for three years to ensure they stay that way.
Auto PDC automatically activates the front parking sensors when manoeuvring, and the Park Assist option now parks the car for you - all you have to do is handle braking, shifting and accelerating.
Jesse Adams of our print sister publications was at the SA launch around the Rosslyn area; look out for his driving impressions of SA-spec models in Highveld conditions in Star Motoring on Thursday.
PRICES
318i - R409 000
320i - R443 000
320d - R472 000
330i - R516 000
330d - R596 000
340i - R656 000
These include VAT but not CO2 tax, as well as a two-year unlimited distance warranty and a five-year or 100 000km maintenance plan.
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