AymenGhost. Posted April 12, 2020 Posted April 12, 2020 (edited) Beautiful, dynamic and relatively affordable, the BMW 3 Series has been, since its launch in 1975, the strategic model that has best contributed to the global influence of the Bavarian brand. The renewal of this 7th generation required a lot of caution. First try. On the occasion of the renewal of the BMW 3 Series, the German manufacturer did not go there with the back of the spoon, aiming at the triple objective: to multiply the electronic gadgets, to look after the appearance and, above all, to perfect the character dynamic. It should be noted that this has been the subject of enormous progress. In contrast to the current generation, considered too subdued and a bit cushy, the newcomer offers a lively and sharp temperament, reviving the "driving pleasure" dear to lovers of beautiful behemos. Based on a brand new platform, with generously widened front and rear tracks, the 3 Series offers better livability dimensions. This development comes at the right time, given the lack of attraction for family sedans. In the sense that it can now play on equal terms with its German cousins: Mercedes C-Class and Audi A4. Perhaps even calm the ardor of the brother BMW X1 who, surfing on the top of the SUV wave, manages to delight him a lot of customers. Evolution in depth Without going so far as to redefine the look of the 6th generation, which appeared in 2012 and restyled in 2015, the new opus puts a little more charm and a few claws of sportiness. Its style, imbued with dynamism on the front, is more aggressive and more attractive than ever, with lights connected to the grille adopting LED lighting as standard. Just as it accommodates, as an option, adaptive headlights with anti-glare function and interior lighting, as well as a "laser" system introduced by the i8. The profile, for its part, is distinguished by enlarged rocker panels and muscular shoulders, where the famous Hofmeister fold which surrounds the quarter panel is no longer attached to the door but secured to the rear pillar. At the stern, the design of the lights with LED strips in the shape of an "L" is significant. On the register of dimensions, the German wagon points to 4.71 m (+ 8.5 cm in length) and retains almost the same height (+ 1 mm to 1.44 m), but its wheelbase lengthens by (+ 4.1 cm) to reach 2.85 m, for the benefit of habitability. Galloping digital The beautiful German also has a sense of welcome. As soon as you step into it, you can feel the BMW-like feeling of well-being, even if the measurements remain lower than those of its competitors. The wraparound front seats have been optimized to provide more comfort. Here, the driving position is advantageously oriented towards the driver, who benefits from a multitude of little care. The rear seat is similar in appearance with a wide and deep seat, surmounted by a split backrest (40/20/40). In this meticulous atmosphere, the quality of fabrics and leathers is of the very first choice, but it is the panoply of state-of-the-art equipment that we love most. Dominant, the large multimedia touch screen (8.8 inches in series and 10.2 optional), planted in front of the driver, allows you to control most of the functions. Another rather subtle innovation, the new screen counter with "octagonal" graphics is proving to be very intelligent, thus making it possible to cross-check all of the driving parameters. And to look good with geeks, it incorporates the induction charger located below the central console, gesture or voice control, the navigation system (Live Cockpit Navigation Pro)… All these devices are managed by the system of BMW 7.0 operation, a true digital station gifted for ultra-fast calculations, allowing to control and display instantly a multitude of functions. So this is a super calculator that gradually propels BMW into the air of all digital. Ballerina balance However, the engines have changed little in terms of power: only the 330i (+6 hp at 258 hp) and 330d (+ 7 hp at 265 hp) versions are progressing, the others remain identical to those of the outgoing generation (320i from 184 ch, 318d of 150 ch, 320d of 190 ch). During the test drives in the south of Portugal, we had the opportunity to take control of the BMW 320d in the Algarve region, famous for its idyllic landscapes and its tortuous reliefs. The choice of place is anything but trivial. On very steep roads, the new 3 Series proves to be as agile as it is fast thanks to its suspensions based on progressive damping. As its name suggests, these are progressive stroke shock absorbers, supplied as standard, which combine the stability necessary for comfort and the fiery nature of sportiness. Result: the body roll in the corners is much reduced, even on degraded roads. And there, it must be recognized that the BMW engineers did a prodigious work, by lowering the mass of the car of some 55 kg, thanks to the intensive use of aluminum, while maintaining the perfect balance of the masses (50 - 50) between the front and the rear. The large multimedia touch screen (8.8 inches as standard and 10.2 inches as an option), ostensibly dominates the dashboard. Our test ended on the Algarve circuit, driving the M340i xDrive, which captivates the driver with his fiery temper. With its 374 hp 6-cylinder in-line engine, backed by an M Sport differential, intelligent 4-wheel drive and a center of gravity pulled down, the M340i xDrive swallows the laces in disconcerting balance. This M - Performance version of the 3 Series deserves a separate article, we will come back to this in more detail in a future edition of Autonews. In the end, it should be noted that after a brief crossing of the desert, the famous German sedan, whose marketing will take place in spring 2019, admirably returns to "driving pleasure" ... Enough to rekindle the flame of its many admirers. In the end, it should be noted that after a brief crossing of the desert, the famous German sedan, whose marketing will take place in spring 2019, admirably returns to "driving pleasure" ... Enough to rekindle the flame of its many admirers. Aesthetically, the standard Sport and Luxury versions are distinguished by LED "T" fog lights, flanked by the side air intakes. Edited April 14, 2020 by -Dark Closed topic / Complete 1 day
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