The All New BMW 3 Series
Ready. Set. Drive!
(7th February 2012) Hong Kong – To celebrate the launch of the all new BMW 3 Series, BMW Concessionaires (HK) Ltd. is hosting a launch party on 7th February, 2012. BMW Concessionaires (HK) Ltd. is honoured to have Mr. Linus Schmekel, General Manager of BMW Group Importer Office Hong Kong and Macau, Mr. Peter Goh, Managing Director of Sime Darby Motor Group (HK) Limited, Mr. Edmond Kwok, Managing Director – BMW Division of Sime Darby Motor Group (HK) Limited, and Mr. Newman Tsang, Managing Director – Hong Kong Division of BMW Concessionaires (HK) Limited in attendance to host and officiate the unveiling ceremony. BMW Concessionaires (HK) Ltd. is also proud to have Mr. Kevin Cheng and Ms. Myolie Wu, TVB Best Actor and Actress 2011, to witness this momentous occasion with the guests.
Car Enthusiasts including Tricia Chen, Sherman Chung, Yumiko Cheng, Steven Cheung, Andy On, Cissy Wang, Irene Wang, Ronald & Reggie Kwok, Andy Wong, Ingrid Chen, Lydia Tong, Fiona Tong, Albert Wong, Edwin Ing, Andrew Chin, Yvette Yuen, Tisha Law etc, just to name a few, will join the event.
The birth of the first BMW 3 Series in 1975 marked the beginning of one of the most remarkable success stories in BMW model history. The all new BMW 3 Series presented this year is the sixth generation. It expresses such essential qualities as aesthetics, sportiness, and dynamics in an entirely new way, yet remains unmistakably recognizable as a member of the same family.
Athletic Design with More Space
With the multi-faceted surfaces of its expressive front fascia, the sixth generation of the BMW 3 series looks more athletic than its predecessor. The new BMW face, with elongated LED headlights reaching along as far as the upright, slightly forward-slanting BMW kidney grille, resembles the “shark-nose” and gives the car a clear sporting edge when viewed head-on. Powerfully taut surfaces with sweeping lines dominate the side view of the coupe-like sedan, stretching the car visually and lending extra verve to its dynamic stance. Thanks to the large glass panels, the driver and passengers have even wider and clearer vision. The flatter and wider rear-end – including rear lights in typical BMW L-shaped design positioned at the outer edges of the rear – place visual emphasis to the car’s consummate road presence, which can hardly be missed even in the middle of the night.
The all new BMW 3 Series has grown moderately in size compared to its predecessor (please refer to the figures listed). With its increased length and height, passengers in the rear enjoy noticeably extra knee-room and head-room inside the wider doors as they climb aboard. With the car’s larger dimensions, it offers 20-litres more of luggage capacity. And, the prominently wider track implies further enhancement in its sports performance.
Driver-focused Cockpit ensures Effortless Handling
The interior of the new BMW 3 Series Sedan is straight out of the BMW design handbook. The driver-focused cockpit wraps around the driver and puts all the important controls within easy reach: Right at the center of the center console sits the standard iDrive Controller, which is equipped with a 6.5-inch high-resolution colour display; two drink holders are integrated into the center console ahead of the gearshift lever; large pockets in the front doors now have space for drink bottles; and the simple-to-operate rocker switch on the center console allows drivers to choose among the 4 different modes in Driving Experience Control to suit their driving conditions:
- ECO PRO mode – the optimal configuration for efficient driving;
- COMFORT mode – the balanced suspension setting for which BMW is renowned, coupled with maximum vehicle stability;
- SPORT mode – the accelerator becomes more responsive. The optional Servotronic increases the level of steering power, the optional active adaptive suspension switches to a sportier setting and the optional sport automatic transmission selects a more dynamic shift programme.
- SPORT+ mode – the ultimate sport suspension setting with delayed intervention in driving stability. It activates the Dynamic Traction Control, allowing advanced drivers to slightly drift in bends.
Practical solutions and innovative options
The all new BMW 3 Series has equipped with Comfort Access - an innovative yet very practical solution to make life a little easier. The Comfort Access control unit (the key), which may be in a trouser pocket or briefcase, is automatically recognized by the vehicle and allows the driver to open the doors and start the engine simply pressing the Start/Stop Button, without having to use the car key. The remote opening of the boot is a first in its class. The boot can be automatically unlocked with just a short movement of the driver’s foot under the center of the rear bumper. By recognizing the Comfort Access control unit and the movement of the driver, the boot then automatically swings open by spring force. This thoughtful solution cheers you up especially when you have all those shopping bags and luggage in hands.
Many more innovative options are available: the new-generation full-colour Head-Up Display, adaptive M running gear, variable sport steering, Rear-view camera/ Surround View, Lane Departure Warning including approach warning/ Lane Change Warning System, Park Assistant, and Speed-limit Info including “No Passing Info”.
Perfect Balance between Dynamic Capacity and Efficiency
The all new BMW 3 Series has adapted the most advanced BMW EfficientDyanmics strategy to consolidate its leadership position as the sportiest yet greenest sedan in its segment.
The petrol engines of BMW 3 Series feature BMW TwinPower Turbo Technology that delivers best possible power, fast-revving performance and refinement, combined with unsurpassed efficiency. Together with such innovative technologies such as High Precision Direct Petrol Injection, Double-VANOS variable camshaft timing, and VALVETRONIC variable value timing, the power, efficiency and agility of the new 3 Series is further enhanced. For example, the state-of-the-art, lively 2-litre engine of BMW 328i delivers the maximum power of 245hp and the maximum torque of 350Nm; accelerates from 0 to 100km/h in 6.1 seconds; and keeps CO2 emission as low as 147g/km. For the BMW 335i with higher performance, its 3-litre 6-cylinder inline engine delivers the maximum power of 306hp, and the maximum torque of 400Nm as early as at 1250rpm; accelerates from 0 to 100km/h in just 5.5 seconds.
In addition, the front aprons of the new BMW 3 series are designed to incorporate the “air curtain” effect which reduces turbulence in the wheel arch area and reducing aerodynamic drag to the excellent coefficient of Cd=0.26. The use of lightweight materials, together with such advanced technologies as Auto Start Stop Function and Brake Energy Regeneration, the fuel efficiency is further increased and the drivers can easily comply with the local statutory ban against idling of motor vehicle engines. Choosing the ECO PRO mode programme for the innovative 8-speed automatic transmission brings forward upshifts and delays downshifts, resulting in extreme efficiency. Take BMW 328i for example, it can be more efficient than manual with the fuel consumption of only 6.3L/100km.
3 Equipment Lines for Different Drivers
The BMW 3 Series range is now available in a trio of trim and equipment variants – The Sport Line for drivers who are sporty and dynamic; The Modern Line for those who are more lifestyle-oriented; and The Luxury Line for those with classic tastes. Each presents its own individual take on the character of the sports sedan, with exclusive, high-quality material combinations and unbeatable build quality underlining the premium ambience of the new range. An M Sport package with special exterior and interior features will arrive in March 2012.
Dimensions of BMW 3 Series (F30) compared to its Predecessor (E90)
| Dimension | Change vs E90 |
|---|
| Length | +93mm |
| Wheelbase | +50mm |
| Front track | +37mm |
| Rear track | +47mm |
| Rear seats – knee room | +15mm |
| Rear seats – head room | +8mm |
| Rear seats – entry/exit room | +18mm |
| Boot volume | +20 litre |
|
