First date: New BMW 3 Series Safe sales

Helicopter circling over the city, access roads are blocked off and thousands of people lined the roadside. What looks like a G8 summit or royal visit has, in fact, a completely different and far less state-supporting, mind, reason: the premiere of the new 3 Series at BMW headquarters in Munich. 

The majority of the guests featured on this sunny Friday afternoon, unlike usual, neither the journalists nor invited guests, but those whose daily bread is the threesome. BMW has postponed an American Town Hall Meeting equal, the extra layer in the parent plant in Dostlerstraße, directly behind the four-cylinder, so that employees can experience the premiere of the new 3 Series. Finally, they are the ones who ensure that BMW's flagship comes to the road. 

To great acclaim gathered all seven board members attended the BMW Group, led by Dr. Reithofer, the first new reception and were chauffeured in three of the trainees from the BMW plant in the world. And not only the eyes of the workers and the press, thanks to a live broadcast on the Internet the whole world could watch the spectacle and marvel at the magnificent aerial views from the helicopter. 

Strongest horse in the stable 

Now may seem eccentric to the vermilion, but ultimately it is just a car, more so just a new generation and nothing completely new. However, the three best-selling BMW car, which ensures not only a large part of sales, but also tens of thousands of jobs in Munich. And this burden is up from February 2012 is now finally the new three, due to the reception so be permitted. 

He may be out its functions, have designers and engineers a sporty, stylish car with increased? Have-want? Factor devised the outside of its big brother, the five is ajar, and, fortunately, to design experiments dispensed with. There are now clear-cut headlights, which connect directly to the large BMW kidney grille, a strongly curved bonnet and two conspicuous ridges along the side. To mention the Hofmeister kink in the C-pillar, as waste, such as the L-shaped tail lamps, are now working with LED light strips. 

Space gain 

Compared to its predecessor, the sixth generation of something gained, by almost ten centimeters to 4.62 meters. The extra space and it is but the passengers will benefit from at least five more inches of space, which will welcome a rear seat. There was always traditionally been quite narrow, it is now something more airy, as comfortable as it is in the front row, however. Even the trunk has risen slightly and now swallow 480 liters and the three split folding rear seat allows the transport of larger items. 

BMW-typical, the cockpit is inclined towards the driver, the design is largely known from other models and the process has left a good impression on first touching it. The three now has an instrument panel with Black Panel technology, where the classic circular instruments are visible only after switching on the ignition. As usual there is a wide center console that sits above the iDrive screen and the associated control bump is where he is always right behind the shifter, mounted conveniently. 

New four-cylinder turbo 

The motors are initially only a change and that is only partly new. Holds for the first time in three BMWs namely four-cylinder turbo-catchment, which, however, does its job already in fives. As there, he also bears the misleading name in three additional 28i, although he has only two liters of displacement. At least until the spring of 2012 he is an extremely potent with 245 horsepower gasoline engine start, then puts on the BMW 320i with 184 hp, which is based on the same turbo engine. 

Naturally aspirated engines are thus not first intended, because likewise available to the market launch six-cylinder in the 306 bhp 335i uses turbocharging. And the diesel anyway. Of the diesels, there is only the beginning the two-liter, 184 hp with either ed in the 320d, or as fuel-saving model with only 163 horsepower, more fuel-cutting measures and the suffix for Efficient Dynamics. 

Hybrid from autumn 2012 

316d and 318d are, as usual, with 116 hp or 143 hp, also follow in the course of spring, as well as a six-cylinder diesel. In the autumn of next year, BMW has already announced the hybrid version, as always, under the name ActiveHybrid. 

That this will be especially active, betraying the technical data: 340 horsepower should do the conglomerate of six-cylinder gasoline engine and electric motor, just like the recently unveiled 5 Series ActiveHybrid. With a consumption of 6.4 liters of gasoline, he is exactly on a par with the 328i, BMW 335i has the 7.2 liter from, the 320d is provided with 4.6 or 4.1 in the Efficient Dynamics Edition. 

More comfort 

Tradition-conscious will also show the new 3 Series to driving dynamics, but has slimmed down 45 kg and the rear-wheel drive can be a joint distribution of mass points. BMW promises the same time with an advanced rear suspension but also enhanced driving comfort. For the first time in three of the BMW? Switch driving experience? mentioned key with which to activate the link between the travel programs of Comfort, Sport and Sport + or Pro Eco saving mode. The aim is by influencing accelerator response but can also, for example on the air conditioner can save up to 20 percent fuel. 

BMW offers from 11 February 2012 the first triple in three trim levels to as Modern, Sportline and Luxury Line. In addition to various differences in the interior, such as red stitching on the Sport version, plenty of chrome on Luxury and Aludekor in the Modern Line are the three threes best seen on the grille: The sports line has black bars at the luxury they are chrome and the Modern aluminiumsatiniert. The last two also have kidney eleven bars, while the sport will be granted only eight. 

M much, much equipment 

From summer 2012 there will also be an M-Sport package, with optional M-Sport brakes, an M sport suspension, short-throw shifter, thanks to M short shifter and an exclusive M paintwork. Not to mention the M-door sills and the M leather steering wheel. 

Anyway, BMW offers many opportunities, the purchase price of at least € 35 350 to drive (for the 320d, 328i from € 37 400, 335i from 43 600 €) in height. Thus, the Munich-based offer for all models of an optional eight-speed automatic, a head-up display can be ordered and numerous assistance systems such as the distance cruise control, a lane change and leave Warner, a camera system shows that the car from a bird's eye view and the parking assistant, which directs itself. 

Conclusion 

The workers at the headquarters in Munich, may breathe again, at least for the next seven years seem to have their jobs secured. The new triple with its chic design will surely have excellent handling characteristics and the features most attractive no problems, continue the success story of his five predecessors.