Best Car Models & All About Cars: 2012 3 Series Sedan

2012 3 Series Sedan Steering

The Bangle era of style is over at BMW, and also the revised 3-Series reflects this fact with a new, additional elegant look. Other updates embody a redesigned cabin and also the addition of a powerful and economical turbocharged four-cylinder as the quality motor, but one thing that doesn't modification is the sporty character and fine handling of this small luxury sedan.

For the time being, the latest redesign can only apply to the four-door three-Series, as the three-Series Coupe and three-Series Convertible are expected to arrive in one year's time, and possibly carrying the four-Series moniker.Those in want of more cargo space can be happy to hear that the BMW 3-Series Wagon will come back to the U.S. also.

Charting the changes

Visually, the new three-Series adopts the identical style language initial seen on vehicles just like the 5-Series and seven-Series. But, the new 3 is longer and wider than the outgoing model, giving the automotive an overall athletic look. The new three-Series is sort of a pair of-inches wider than the outgoing automobile and over 3.5 inches longer.

Despite a bigger footprint, the most recent 3-Series retains a good fifty/50 weight distribution and is actually 88 pounds lighter than the model it replaces.

As a results of those expanded dimensions, the new three-Series boasts a lot of cabin house, particularly for rear-seat passengers. BMW also says that the three-Series trunk can comfortably hold three-golf luggage.

But perhaps the biggest news is the return to a four-cylinder powerplant. The 328i model is powered by BMW’s TwinPower turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder, developing 240 horsepower and 260 lb-ft or torque. As a result, the 328i scoots from zero-to-60 during a relatively brisk five.seven seconds.

BMW’s 335i remains on supply, delivering 300 horsepower and 300 lb-ft of torque from its turbocharged three.0L six-cylinder. That added grunt is sweet for a zero-to-60 time of 5.4 seconds.

BMW has gone to nice lengths to confirm the 2012 three is additional fuel economical than this model and has included such technologies as auto stop-start, Brake Energy Regeneration and even an air con system that can disconnect utterly from the engine. The 328i offers twenty three town, 33 highway, with the eight-speed automatic, or 23 town, 34 highway with the six-speed manual transmission.

BMW is the first automaker to supply an eight-speed gearbox during this class.

BMW has nonetheless announce the M3 version of the new car, however patrons will go for an M Sport package in the meantime (more information below).

ActiveHybrid 3

Marking a initial for the segment, BMW will launch a hybrid version of its new three-Series throughout the autumn of 2012. The ActiveHybrid 3 will be powered by BMW’s three hundred horsepower 3.0L turbocharged six-cylinder paired to an electric motor that can boost power by as much as fifty five horsepower. BMW says to expect performance on par with the 335i.

Packaging explained

BMW offers the latest three-Series Sedan in base configuration and 4 optional “Design Lines:” Sport Line, Luxury Line and Modern Line, as well as an M Sport Line (late introduction).

All models will come back with goodies like a six.5-inch color show with iDrive, Bluetooth and USB connectivity, step-up wheels (17-inch on 328i, eighteen-in. on 335i), while the 335i adds HID headlamps, wood interior trim, a moonroof, powered front seats and an anti-theft alarm.

Sport Line models come with black exterior styling bits, a 10mm-lowered suspension, red piped-and-stitched leather or leatherette seats, a black headliner and varied red accents throughout the cabin. Luxury Line 3-Series models substitute the sport’s gloss black or aluminum interior trim with inlayed wood, wile the exterior receives additional chrome styling bits as well as more grille slats and chromed grille surrounds. Luxury and Modern Line 3-Series models can be offered exclusively with leather seats with a particular seam pattern and either contrasting stitching (Luxury) or piping (Modern). Modern builds on Luxury with matte chrome exterior and interior trim, a selection of aluminum, pearl metallic or textured wood interior trim and a “dark oyster” dashboard and steering wheel.

Options for many models embrace navigation (half of the Technology Package), a rearview camera with surround view, SiriusXM and Harman/Kardon audio, also an M-tuned suspension, variable sport steering and 19-in. alloy wheels.

2012 3 Series Sedan