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New BMW 3 Series ups style, technology and equipment

PRESS RELEASE

The latest iteration of the BMW 3 Series will launch in New Zealand later this year, bringing a refreshed styling package, clear advances in digitilisation and enhanced levels of equipment.

The 3 Series – first launched in 1975 – is the core of the BMW brand and represents the epitome of driving pleasure and the benchmark for sporting prowess in the mid-size luxury sedan segment.

The success of the 3 Series is reflected in its global sales results, with 16 million units of the model range sold across the generations since it first went on sale 45 years ago. It accounts for 14 per cent of BMW’s vehicle sales worldwide and more than 1.1 million current generation BMW 3 Series in both Sedan and Touring have been sold since 2019 alone.

For the 2021 calendar year, the 3 Series accounted for 11.5 per cent of BMW New Zealand’s total registrations, and 509 examples of the current generation 3 Series have sold since launch in 2019. BMW has recorded 6,833 BMW 3 Series sales in New Zealand since New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) detailed sales data reporting commenced in 2002 a further underlining of the model’s impact and the strong impression it has made on local customers.

As well as a BMW kidney grille in mesh design and trapezoidal tailpipe trims for the exhaust system, their exclusive design features also include M exterior mirror caps in Black high-gloss. The M Sport Package Pro is a new arrival on the options list. Available as an extension of the M Sport package as well as for the BMW Performance models from BMW M GmbH, this package includes extended M High-gloss
Shadowline trim, M lights Shadowline and an M Sport braking system with red callipers.

The range of 3 Series exterior colours has been expanded to include Skyscraper Grey metallic and M Brooklyn Grey metallic as part of the M Sport package offering. BMW Individual Frozen Pure Grey metallic and Frozen Tanzanite Blue metallic special paint finishes have also been added to the portfolio. Customers can also choose from a selection of around 150 additional BMW Individual special paint finishes.

The interior of the new BMW 3 Series Sedan and Touring benefits from a comprehensive update.
The new interpretation of the brand-typical driver focus is embodied by the standard-fit BMW Curved Display, wherein a 12.3-inch information display behind the steering wheel and a control display with a screen diagonal of 14.9 inches merge together into a single, fully digital and high-resolution unit.

This cutting-edge cockpit design has progressive digitalisation at its heart and enables the number of buttons and controls to be significantly reduced in favour of touch and voice control.

The selector lever for the eight-speed Steptronic transmission also has a new design and is positioned in the control panel on the centre console along with the Start/Stop button, iDrive Controller, Driving Experience Control buttons, parking brake and other vehicle functions.

An automatic climate control system with three-zone adjustment is fitted as standard in both the new BMW 3 Series Sedan and new BMW 3 Series Touring, with climate functions operated by voice command or touch via the control display.

Among other signature features of the BMW 3 Series are the wide range of available drive systems. Highly efficient internal combustion engines with BMW TwinPower Turbo technology strike an exceptionally fine balance between driving pleasure and fuel economy.

BMW New Zealand will offer the new 3 Series Sedan in 320i, 330e plug-in hybrid and M340i xDrive variants, while the 3 Series Touring will be available solely in the 320d xDrive variant.

All engines for the new BMW 3 Series link up with an eight-speed Steptronic Sport transmission – a unit renowned for its balance of sporting character and smooth shifting characteristics. BMW xDrive, an intelligent all-wheel-drive system, is standard on the flagship BMW M340i xDrive model.

A host of automated driving and parking systems are available to elevate the comfort and safety of the new BMW 3 Series to another new level. Standard equipment includes Driving Assistant with lane departure warning, lane change warning, front collision warning with brake intervention, rear
crossing traffic warning and rear collision prevention.

Among the functions provided by Parking Assistant are the Reversing Assist Camera and the Reversing Assistant. Parking Assistant Plus – with Park View, Panorama View and Remote 3D View functions – and BMW Drive Recorder are also available as options.

BMW iDrive with the latest generation of BMW Operating System 8 featured in the new BMW 3 Series leads the way into the digital future. It integrates powerful connectivity, data processing capabilities and intuitive interaction between the driver and vehicle. At the heart of this are the BMW Curved Display and the extended capabilities of the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant.

The My BMW App acts as a universal digital interface between the driver and vehicle and for controlling the charging process for the high-voltage battery of the 330e plug-in hybrid model. Customers can make use of the BMW ID for individualising the user experience and further improved smartphone integration with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The BMW ConnectedDrive Upgrades function keeps the new BMW 3 Series up to date with the latest software, with content of the upgrades ranging from new services to improved vehicle functions.

The progressive character of the BMW 3 Series is also exhibited in a holistic concept aimed at optimising sustainability. This covers the entire value chain, from the procurement of raw materials and production through to the use phase and subsequent recycling. The validity of the life cycle assessment for the BMW 3 Series is certified by independent external experts.

An additional factor in the progress made over the previous model generation is the resource-conserving use of materials, including a high proportion of recycled materials. Secondary raw materials account for around 50 per cent of the material used in the aluminium castings for the BMW 3 Series. Approximately 16 per cent of all thermoplastics are recycled.

The new BMW 3 Series Sedan and Touring line-ups will arrive in New Zealand in Q4 with pricing and specification detail to be announced closer to the launch date.

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