BMW has moved to the roads of the south of Europe to continue with its testing program, choosing Spain as a destination for road tests in high-temperature environments. In these new spy photos we can see the upcoming G20 3 Series equipped with the M Sport Package. Due to its camouflage, this prototype hardly differs from other sighted test mules, but if we look at the few visible elements we can see how it has clearly differentiated details with respect to the conventional variants of the standard 3 Series, such as the set of tires and brake discs.
Same as the previous test mules, it has a slightly modified bumper, with a thicker grid in the lower air intakes. On the sides we can see the character line flowing from the front door to the rear, while in the back, the bumper receives a new design, with a new rear diffuser and discreet spoiler located in the boot lid.
Inside, the G20 3 Series gets analog instruments and a touch display in the center console. Optionally, there will be a large display facing the driver. A digital combination instrument will be also available at an additional cost, as well as the head-up display. Gesture and voice control will be introduced for the first time to 3 Series customers, while the iDrive knob will continue to control some of the car’s functions.
Just like the new G30 5 Series, the new 3 Series is built upon the CLAR architecture. Thanks to CFRP components and a higher proportion of aluminum, the platform allows the new 3 Series to weigh around 40 kg less than the outgoing model, resulting in a sportier drive and lower fuel consumption.
The engine range consists of aggregates from the new 0.5-liter engine kit. The engine range goes from three-cylinder models to four-cylinder models up to six-cylinder models – all with turbocharging. Consumption and CO2 emissions are down 5 percent, power is up 7 hp and torque about 20 Nm. Among other things, the engines will offer more efficient cooling and more injection pressure (350 instead of 200 bar). In addition to the plug-in hybrid 330e (265 hp in future), there will also be a BMW 325e with 230 hp of power. The electrical range extends from 40 to 50 kilometers.
Diesel customers will not be forgotten. The new engine kit is 5 percent more efficient, while being more powerful. In the 316d, the power goes from 115 to 136 hp, in the 318d from 150 to 163 hp and in the 320d from 190 to 204 hp. In the 325d, there will be 238 ponies instead of 224 hp in the current model.
In the new 3 Series family, there is place for a new model and BMW aims to fill that gap, which basically extends from the 340i to the M3 Sedan. The BMW M340i and M340d will give customers the choice of powerful and sporty 3 Series models, which will differentiate visually from the rest of the pack, and when it comes to the power output.
[Photos: Phocarmedia and Motors.es]
