BMW 3 Series

The new-generation BMW 3 Series went on sale in India and it’s the seventh-generation model of the car. The new 3 Series based on an all-new platform, packing in more powerful engines and better driveability than its predecessor. BMW offers the car in three variants - Sport, Luxury Line, M Sport and two powertrain options - BMW 330i petrol and the BMW 320d diesel. While the base and mid-spec variants are powered by the diesel engine, the top-spec M Sport variant gets the petrol mill.

The new-gen BMW 3 Series is based on the CLAR platform, sharing its underpinnings with the likes of the 5 Series and the flagship 7 series. Visually, the car takes inspiration from the all-new BMW 8 Series sporting the more prominent kidney grilles, sharp-looking LED headlamps with L-shaped daytime running lights. BMW also offers optional laser headlamps. The front bumper also gets a new design, and while the lower-spec models come with more sculpted panel area, the top-end M Sport trim gets large air intakes with horizontal LED foglamps.

Another interesting feature is self-levelling hub caps on the wheels, much like Rolls-Royce cars. At the rear, the car gets new wraparound taillights similar to the new 5 Series that add to a wider appearance on the sedan. While the BMW 320d is equipped with 17-inch light-alloy wheels, the 330i comes with a set of 18-inch light-alloy wheels. In term of dimensions, the new BMW 3 Series is 76 mm longer than its predecessor at 4,709 mm, 16 mm wider at 1,827 mm, and just 1 mm taller at 1,442 mm. Furthermore, the car also comes with 41 mm longer wheelbase at 2,851 mm.

Inside the car gets a more spacious and newly designed cabin, with a driver-focused cockpit. The instrument panel gets a more modern look, while the dashboard features horizontal lines with high-quality electroplated trim strips and contours extending onto the doors. There is also an all-digital instrument console with a HUD on offer, along with memory seats, electric sunroof, keyless entry, 8.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with navigation and BMW's Intelligent Personal Assistant.

The BMW 330i is powered by a 1998 cc four-cylinder petrol engine that is tuned to churn out a maximum of 255 bhp at 5000 rpm and develops a peak torque of 400 Nm between 1550 - 4400 rpm. The diesel option, BMW 320d, on the other hand, is powered by 1995 cc four-cylinder oil burner that is tuned to churn out 188 bhp at 4000 rpm and develops a peak torque of 400 Nm between 1,750 - 2,500 rpm. Both the engines come mated to eight-speed Steptronic Sport Automatic transmission. India will only get the rear-wheel-drive version of the sedan, however, globally, BMW also sells the xDrive all-wheel-drive version.