Following release of photos of the next
model BMW 3 Series (the E90), the factory was forced into
releasing more details, earlier than they had anticipated. We
even got Chris Bangle, BMW’s love him or leave him director
of styling in Bangkok, to talk about the car a few weeks ago.
Looking at the front view, the
characteristic Bangle headlights have been adopted, though
tamed down a little. It is in the rear that the BMW final OK
was only given to a very slight change from the previous
series, and the largely unloved Bangle Bottom was not adopted.
BMW
3 Series
The following details were gleaned from
BMW, so there could just be a small amount of bias; however,
knowing BMW (and I am a fan of the marque) there will not be
large amounts of exaggeration. BMW have been making some very
good cars in the last few years - and building them here in
Thailand too. It has been pointed out before that these are
not Thai BMW’s, but BMW’s made in Thailand.
Begin with Jim O’Donnell, managing
director of BMW Great Britain, who says of the E90, “The new
3 Series faces the daunting task of upstaging what is the
defining car of its generation and market sector. With engine
technology and a focused design strategy at its core, the new
3 Series looks set to do just that. Once again, the new 3
Series sets a new benchmark for small executive cars and I am
confident it will be a great success in both the corporate and
retail markets.”
The
new BMW 3 Series delivers an even more dynamic driving
experience than its predecessor, accelerates faster and
achieves a higher top speed but not to the detriment of
economy, with the new 330i delivering improvements in fuel
consumption while the 320i and 320d match their predecessors.
(Whether we will get the diesel engine BeeEmms here is
doubtful, unfortunately.)
Powering the fifth generation of new BMW 3
Series is a range of engines all married to a standard
six-speed manual gearbox (six-speed automatic optional).
Topping the range is the BMW 330i featuring the most powerful,
yet lightest, six-cylinder engine in its class - the same
engine that powers the recently launched BMW 630i Coupe.
Delivering 258bhp and 300Nm (221 lb-ft) between 2,500 and
4,000 rpm, this engine powers the car from zero to 100 kph in
just 6.3 seconds and on to a limited top speed of 250 kph.
However, this is not at the expense of economy, with the new
330i delivering 33.5mpg combined fuel consumption.
This
engine sees BMW use magnesium in its construction process for
the first time in large-scale series production. The crankcase
jacket, bedplate and cylinder head cover are all made from
magnesium, which weighs 30 percent less than aluminium.
Additionally, the new 3.0-litre unit is the
first six-cylinder engine to feature BMW’s patented
Valvetronic induction system that infinitely varies the intake
valve opening times and, when combined with Bi-Vanos variable
camshaft timing, delivers the optimal fuel efficiency and
engine response.
Also joining the six-cylinder model range
in spring 2005 will be the 325i, delivering 218 bhp at 6,500
rpm and 250 Nm (184 lb-ft) at 2,750 - 4,250 rpm.
The
new 3 Series range will also feature a two litre diesel and a
two litre petrol variant at launch. The BMW 320d, currently
the UK’s most popular 3 Series model, features
second-generation common rail diesel technology and a variable
vane turbocharger to deliver 163 bhp and 340 Nm (251 lb-ft) of
torque. This provides the car with the best of all worlds.
Acceleration to 100 kph is achieved in 8.3 seconds with a top
speed of 225 kph.
The engine in the new 320i is based on that
of the outgoing 318i, but with enhancements to the induction
and exhaust systems. Also benefiting from BMW’s Valvetronic
and Bi-Vanos systems, the new 320i offers 150 bhp at 6,200
rpm, with a maximum torque of 200 Nm (147 lb-ft) achieved at
3,600 rpm.
Ensuring that the power and torque remain
in check is the responsibility of the new DSC+ system (on
six-cylinder models - standard DSC on four-cylinder models).
Effectively an evolution of the familiar DSC traction control
system, DSC+ offers a range of benefits, including brake
standby that pre-tensions the brakes when the driver quickly
removes the pressure from the accelerator pedal. Soft stop is
also incorporated which modulates the brake application to
prevent the nose of the car from ‘diving’ when travelling
slowly. Also included in DSC+ is a start-off assistant that
uses the clutch to prevent the car from rolling back on a
hill-start and a brake detector that ensures the discs are
kept dry and responsive on wet roads.
The new E90’s have BMW’s active
steering system, available for the first time in a car of this
class. Active steering is offered as an option on six-cylinder
models and resolves the conflict between low-speed agility and
higher-speed stability by delivering a speed-proportional
steering ratio. Active steering also brings a number of key
safety benefits. In conjunction with the DSC+ system, if the
car detects over steer, active steering applies a small amount
of positive steering angle to bring the rear of the car back
into line. Additionally on the new 3 Series, when applying the
brakes on a surface with differing grip levels such as snow or
ice, active steering intervenes to stabilize the car more
precisely and quickly than the driver is able to do manually.
Its double-joint spring strut front axle is
made completely of aluminium, minimising the unsprung mass of
the car and reducing road noise. The new five-arm rear axle,
first seen on the new BMW 1 Series, delivers excellent ride
comfort.
The new 3 Series body is stiffer yet
lighter than that of the outgoing model. Thanks to a new joint
and crossbar arrangement for the car’s load-bearing
structure, the bodyshell stiffness is increased by 25 percent
over its predecessor.
The inherent rigidity of the steel
bodyshell enhances the new 3 Series safety levels. With the
addition of six airbags as standard, including curtain head
airbags for front and rear occupants, the car is expected to
receive a five-star Euro NCAP rating. It is also one of the
first cars in the world that is fully prepared for the
rigorous side impact requirements in North America as well as
the US high-speed rear impact test.
Also supporting these high standards of
safety are a number of familiar systems from other BMW models.
Brake force display is standard for the first time on 3 Series
Saloon models, offering two stage brake lights. Brake lights
illuminate normally in average driving conditions but during
an emergency stop or when the ABS braking cuts in, the area of
brake light illumination increases to warn those travelling
behind of the situation ahead.
Run-flat tyres are available for the first
time on 3 Series models. Like the 1, 5 and 6 Series models,
run-flat tyres are offered as standard, and with the recent
developments in run-flat technology, the car can now be driven
for an astonishing 150 miles at 80 kph with up to four
punctured tyres. This allows the driver to complete almost any
journey before replacements need to be sought.
The new car is larger than before.
Measuring 4,520mm (+49mm) in length, 2,760mm (+35mm) in
wheelbase, 1,817mm (+78mm) in width and 1,424mm (+9mm) in
height, the new BMW 3 Series offers a spacious and light
cabin. A driver-orientated dashboard layout places all the
primary controls at the driver’s fingertips while the
secondary controls are conveniently and ergonomically
accessible. Rear occupants benefit from an increase in head,
shoulder, elbow and leg room.
For those customers opting for either
business or professional navigation systems, BMW’s
(controversial) iDrive operating concept comes as standard for
the first time in a car of this class. Replacing the
conventional single hood dashboard layout, the display screen
sits centrally on the dashboard in a second binnacle to
deliver navigation information alongside on-board computer
information, entertainment and climate control adjustments and
check control messages.
Also available for the first time on a BMW
in this class is Comfort access. All cars receive a newly
designed key that replaces the conventional blade-type key but
with comfort access the key contains an ID sensor that the car
recognises from a short distance away. On recognition, the
doors are unlocked automatically and the car can be started
with one push of the starter button. The comfort access system
also works in tandem with BMW’s familiar key memory system
to ensure that the seating position, door mirrors,
personalized air conditioning settings and radio reception are
automatically adjusted to the current drivers’ settings
before they enter the car.
(Despite the manufacturer’s rhetoric,
this will be a good car. Believe me.)
