Entry posted on April 18, 2012 by
Shrawan Raja;
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We have word from our sources that BMW India has started trial production of the new 3 Series at its CKD plant located within Mahindra City near Chennai. Series production is expected to start next month and once that’s on, it is only a matter of weeks before a market launch unfolds.
The new 3er was spied and photographer comprehensively last month and its road presence is close to that of the 5 Series. Sources said BMW is not using the corporate edition strategy with the new 3 Series. The entry level model (320i) is loaded with features such as iDrive, cruise control, etc. Pop the hood and you’ll find a twin-turbocharged petrol engine mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission!
Since the time the new BMW 3 Series was spotted on the Mumbai docks, we are getting impatient to drive it on the Indian roads. In terms of design, the new BMW 3 Series is as radical as the as it could have ever been. BMW claims that the it has also managed to improve performance and efficiency figures making it a complete package.
While we try to get our hands on the new 3 Series, why don’t you have a look at the latest 3 series commercial released by BMW. Brownie points for guessing the song played during ad. This ad comes as buzz around this year’s London Olympics picks up.
It is only a matter of time now for BMW India to bid adieu to the current generation 3 series (E90) and say Guten Abend to the brand new F30 model. Our pals at TeamBHP have managed to snap a few images of the F30 parked at the Mumbai Port. Evident from the badge, the F30 is a 320d model.
The sixth generation 3 Series is quite a looker than the older E90. Unlike the new 5 series, BMW has adopted a very aggressive design for the new 3 Series.
Entry posted on December 21, 2011 by
Shrawan Raja;
Read More on BMW
BMW India will phase out the current 3 Series and replace it with the next generation model (code – F30). We already discussed possible variants in a previous blog post and today we show you an official video of the designers of the new 3er sharing their experience of creating a model that blends BMW heritage and the best of today’s design!
The BMW F30 is all set to take over the game of the entry level executive sedans. The F30 is a promising design from BMW after a long time. The radical headlamps, the new kidney grill and aggressive design language are few of the many likables of the new F30. But the former 3 Series (E90) is not dead yet.
As one last hurrah, BMW has unveiled Carbon Sport edition of the E90 before it finally rests in peace. The Carbon Sport edition will be offered only in a six cylinder version with an M sport package.
Sapphire and Azurite Black Metallic are the 2 color option that will be available. 19-inch lightweight alloy rims, Harman Kardon audio system, a special leather finish seats will be the premium goodies on this special edition. One can avail of the top of the line petrol Carbon edition at a price tag of $85,380 (or 42 lakhs INR).
Back home, the current 3 Series isn’t dead yet. Although, BMW has confirmed that it will bring the new 3 Series to India next year, there are still not dwelling any details as to when the current 3 Series will go out of production. In fact, there are plans to bring the 330D convertible to India early next year in form of a CBU.
IndianAutosBlog.com readers would know that next generation BMW 3 Series (F30) scheduled for an early 2012 launch has been under testing for a long time. We have covered many of its facets through spy shots and spy videos. But now something interesting has caught our eye.
Chinacartimes is carrying spy pics of a BMW 3 Series long wheelbase version caught testing in Germany. The 3 Series is generally available in many variations such as a station wagon and with many engine options and most of them are not sold in India because there is no demand for such products. But this particular version may just be of supreme importance from the Indian perspective.
The spyshot reveals that this particular prototype in 4 inches longer than regular prototypes. There are other changes also such as a more sloping roofline and a sleeker side view of the car to make sure that the car doesn’t look out of proportion. The bad news is that the long wheel base model is being specifically developed for the Chinese market.
The long wheel base model makes a lot of sense for the Indian market and here are my arguments:
• If you have sat in the rear seat of a 3 Series before, you will realize that it is not the most comfortable place in the world. There are other cars, which are in the lower price bracket, who have a better rear seat than the 3 Series.
• Because of the cramped rear seat, ingress and egress (basically getting in and out) is not easy.
• The rear legroom of the BMW 3 Series is pitiful. The driver seat is the best place on the car.
• Yes, I know it’s the ‘Ultimate Driving Machine’, but let’s get real. Most 3 Series are driven by chauffeurs with the owner sitting in the back.
• Many ‘corporate edition’ 3 Series are used as Taxis by hotels and transport companies. They certainly would appreciate room at the back.
Undoubtedly BMW India’ next volume driver – the 2012 BMW 3 Series has entered a new phase of testing process. BMWBlog has posted new images of the F30 (codename) that reveal new design details as more camouflage and fake parts have disappeared. The F30 is expected in India by the end of 2012 along with a price tag of under 25 lakh rupees for the Corporate Edition model.
As we suspected earlier, the new 3 Series will mimic the new 5er featuring full LED lights and tapered angel lights. The new 3 Series has grown marginally, but with the help of a light-weight construction, the car’s performance will remain at similar levels. The rear seat comfort will notably be better, and that for Indian ears is music.
BMWBlog says the new 3 Series will share components with the new X3 (local assembly of which began last month) and features like HUD, Rear view camera and parking assist will be part of the 3 Series offerings.
Information on diesel engines hasn’t been published, but excluding the base petrol model, all others will be paired to a new eight-speed ZF automatic transmission. We expect the F30 to be unveiled this year at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September. If it fails to turn up there, expect the dust sheet to come off at the Geneva Show in March 2012.
We have got you countless renderings; we have got you various spy shots of the upcoming 3 Series (codename – F30). But as the 2012 BMW 3 Series developmental project nears its completion, BMW has released a teaser video to give a snapshot of what’s in store.
The new 3 series will be a complete overhaul in terms of design and performance. This particular video features a camouflaged prototype of the all new 3 series being tested in adverse places like the Death Valley to prove that all BMWs are tested to their limit.
So have a look at the video and let us know what you think.
