BMW 3 Series (F30)

BMW 3-Series (F30)
Overview
Manufacturer	BMW
Production	October 28, 2011—present
Model years	2012—present
Assembly	Munich, Germany Toluca, Mexico (BMW Mexico) Araquari, Brazil[1] Regensburg, Germany Pretoria, South Africa 6th of October City, Egypt(BAG) Jakarta, Indonesia (CKD)[2] Kaliningrad, Russia Shenyang, PRC(BMW Brilliance)[3] Chennai, India(BMW India)[4] Selangor, Malaysia (CKD) [5][6]
Designer	Christopher Weil (Sedan: 2009)[7] Michael de Bono (Station Wagon: 2009) [8] Page Beermann (GT: 2010) [9]
Body and chassis
Class	Compact executive car (D)
Body style	4-door sedan (F30) 5-door touring (F31) 5-door hatchback (F34)
Layout	FR layout F4 layout
Related	BMW 3-Series BMW 4 Series
Powertrain
Engine	1.6L N13 I4 2.0 L N20 I4 3.0 L N55 I6 2.0 L Diesel I4 3.0 L Diesel I6
Transmission	6-speed manual 8-speed ZF 8HP automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,810 mm (110.6 in) 2,920 mm (115.0 in) (F35) (GT)
Length	4,624 mm (182.0 in) 4,734 mm (186.4 in) (F35)
Width	1,811 mm (71.3 in)
Height	1,429 mm (56.3 in)
Chronology
Predecessor	BMW 3 Series (E90)
Successor	BMW 3 Series (G20) on 35up CLAR modular architecture, from 2018 [10]

The BMW F30 is an internal corporate chassis designation for the BMW 3 series of cars. The series is the sixth generation of the BMW 3 Series range of compact executive cars. It is the successor to the E90 model and was unveiled by automaker BMW on October 14, 2011 in Munich, Germany.

The world premiere was broadcast live over the internet through Facebook.^[11] It was released as a 2012 model and has been on sale since early 2012. The F30 sedan was launched on February 11, 2012 by BMW Press. The car is also available with different body styles.

The BMW 320d Efficient Dynamics was the most widely used vehicle in the London 2012 Olympics due to BMW's official partnership.^[12] New for the US 2012 was the re-introduction of a four-cylinder petrol engine for North America the first since the 318i of the late 1990s.^[13]

Initial release

Sedan (2011-)

Rear view of 3 Series

The vehicle was unveiled in 2012 Geneva Motor Show,^[14] followed by the 2012 Paris Motor Show.^[15]

The 320i, 318d, and 316d were added in spring 2012.^[16]

320i EfficientDynamics Edition and 316i were added in autumn of 2012.^[17]

US models arrived in US showrooms in February 2012 as a 2012 model. Early models included the 328i and 335i. The 328i xDrive and 335i xDrive went on sale in the summer of 2012.^[18] The 320i and 320i xDrive were added in late-Spring 2013.^[19] The 328d, launched in 2014, is the first four-cylinder diesel BMW to be sold in the United States.^[20]

Touring (AKA Sport Wagon) (2012-)

BMW 320d Touring (F31)

The touring was unveiled in 21st Auto Mobil International Leipzig 2012.^[21] It is designated as F31.

Early models included 328i, 320d, 330d.^[22]

320i, 316d, 318d were added in autumn of 2012.^[17] 335i was added in spring 2013.

US models went on sale in Spring of 2013. Models included 328i, 328i xDrive, as well as the 328d xDrive, using the same engine tuning as the 320d elsewhere in the world.^[23]

Gran Turismo (GT) (2013-)

It is a variant of the 3 Series Sedan with styling similar to the 5 Series Gran Turismo. At 189.9 inches / 482.4 cm in length, the GT is notably longer than the Sedan and Touring models (Sedan and Touring measuring 182 inches / 462.4 cm long). The GT's added length is facilitated in part by an extended wheelbase platform, first marketed in China in 2012, with an increase of 4.3 inches /110mm. The new model also stands 3.11 inches / 79mm taller.^[24] It is designated as F34.

The vehicle was unveiled in the 83rd Geneva International Motor Show 2013.^[25] Early models included 320i, 328i, 335i, 318d, 320d, with the later introduction of the 325d engine. Several models/powertains are also available with xDrive all-wheel-drive. All launch models include six-speed manual gearbox as standard, and eight-speed automatic as an option for all engine variants. Both gearboxes link up with the fuel-saving Auto Start-Stop function.^[26]

In the U.S. market, models went on sale in the summer of 2013 as 2014 model year vehicles. In keeping with BMW's more limited range offered in the U.S., current U.S. models for sale are the all-wheel-drive 328 xDrive GT and 335 xDrive GT. Both are gasoline-powered variants. There are no diesel-powered 3 Series GT offerings in the U.S. market as of the 2015 model year.

Long wheelbase version

BMW 3 Series F35 in China. The chrome decoration on the doors distinguishes it from the standard F30.

It is a long wheelbase version of BMW 3 Series sedan for China market (designated as F35). The wheelbase is increased by 11 centimetres (4.3 in) which increases rear knee room by 90 millimetres (3.5 in). This vehicle was produced in BMW's Shenyang production plant.

The vehicle was unveiled in 2012 Auto China in Beijing. Early models include 320Li, 328Li, 335Li.^[27]

ActiveHybrid 3 (2012-)

BMW ActiveHybrid 3 at the 2012 Paris Motor Show.

It is a version of BMW 335i Sedan with a 55 PS (40 kW; 54 hp) electric motor, lithium-ion battery integrated underneath the luggage area, optional 18-inch Streamline light-alloy wheels, 2-zone climate control system with stationary air conditioning. The maximum all-electric driving range is 4 km (2.5 mi), with top speed of 75 km/h (47 mph).^[28][29]

The BMW ActiveHybrid 3 was unveiled at the North American International Auto Show in January 2012.^[30]

US model arrived in US showrooms in fall 2012 as a 2013 model year vehicle.^[28][31]

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rated the 2013 model year ActiveHybrid 3 with a combined fuel economy of 28 mpg_-US (8.4 L/100 km; 34 mpg_-imp), with 25 mpg_-US (9.4 L/100 km; 30 mpg_-imp) in the city, and 33 mpg_-US (7.1 L/100 km; 40 mpg_-imp) in highway, surpassing the ratings of its sibling the 335i by 5 mpg combined, as well as two other BMW hybrids available in the U.S., the 2013 ActiveHybrid 5 and the 2012 ActiveHybrid 7.^[32]

3 Series task vehicles (2012-)

BMW 328i Sedan is a camouflaged task vehicle.

BMW 316d Sedan is a paramedic vehicle rated 116 PS (85 kW; 114 hp) and 280 N·m (207 lb·ft).

The vehicles were unveiled in RETTmobil 2012.^[33]

3 Series Touring authority vehicle (2012-)

It is a version of 3 Series Touring built for use by the federal and regional police. Optional features include additional warning devices, additional LED identification lights at the rear, radio, a flashing blue light, optional control of a signal installation via the operating system BMW iDrive supplied as standard.

The vehicles were unveiled in General Police Equipment Exhibition & Conference 2012.^[34]

Styling

Luxury Line Interior

Designed by Christopher Weil under design chief Adrian Van Hooydonk (till March 1, 2009), the new BMW 3 Series has grown in all dimensions compared to its predecessor.^[35][36][37] The styling is similar to previous generations with a sweeping bonnet, short front overhang, and long wheelbase typical of previous generation BMW. The front and back of the BMW 3 Series is now wider (+ 34/77 mm at the front/rear) with a slightly forward-slanting BMW kidney grille. The rectangular headlights extend up to the frame of the kidney grille merging the headlight and grille adding further emphasis to a more broader stance. Exterior mirrors also have integrated turn signal lights. The rear lights return to the traditional BMW L-shaped design positioned at the outer edge of the back end. The interior continues BMW design by angling the cockpit towards the driver by seven degrees. In the driver's area all the lines converge on a single point behind the wheel. Positioned on the horizontally-structured instrument panel is the freestanding iDrive monitor. Large drink holders are now integrated into the centre console in front of the gearshift lever. The BMW 3 Series can also be ordered with three distinct design variants. The Sport Line, Luxury Line, and Modern Line features different exterior and interior design elements for each line, with black trim for the Sport Line, satinated aluminium for the Modern Line and high gloss chrome for the Luxury Line. The Modern Line was discontinued for the US Market for the 2013 model year.^[38]

Engines

BMW Inline-Four Engine (N20)

Naturally aspirated straight-six engines from 325i/328i/330i are replaced by BMW's new N20 turbocharged inline-four two liter engine already introduced in several other BMW models.^[38]

The 316i featuring the 1.6L TwinPower engine was launched in Q4 2012 and is only available in selected markets. Compared to the predecessor 316/318i, it is built in Germany and features better build quality.^[39]

Petrol engines

* 320i xDrive Touring and 320i Gran Turismo were released in 2013.
** 328i Touring and 328i xDrive Sedan were released in 2012. 328i Gran Turismo and 328i xDrive Touring were released in 2013.
*** 335i xDrive was released in 2012. 335i Gran Turismo was released in 2013.

Diesel engines

* 320d xDrive Touring was released in 2012.
** European-specification 330d and 330d xDrive sold as 328d and 328d xDrive in North America where they do not sell the European-specification 328d.
*** 330d xDrive was released in 2013.

330e

The 330e plug-in hybrid will be available in Europe and North America in late 2015, together with the mid-life facelift, which was unveiled at the IAA in Frankfurt in September. It features a four-cylinder gasoline engine and an 88-hp electric motor. It produces a total of 252 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque.^[45]

Performance

• Figures in brackets are for automatic transmission.

Equipment

Also for the first time, the 3 Series features five different "lines", or trim levels. Each "line" includes its own unique details:

The Base/SE, Modern Line, Luxury Line, Sport Line and M Sport Line are offered.

BMW ConnectedDrive

The BMW ConnectedDrive is a range of technology to help with comfort, information, entertainment, and safety. Technology such as help with safety and information BMW Parking Assist, Surround View, Active Cruise Control with Stop & Go function, and Speed Limit Info with No Passing Info Display. BMW Parking Assist helps driver maneuver into parking spaces automatically through the use of camera and parking sensors. Active Cruise Control with Stop & Go function not only maintains the desired distance to the vehicle in front but can slow the car down to a standstill in heavy traffic. Finally, Speed Limit Info helps alert drivers to current speed limit on the road by continuously scanning road-signs with the integrated camera in the rear-view mirror.^[38]

E90 comparison

The new F30 sedan is 93 mm (3.7 in) longer, 6 mm (0.2 in) wider (42 mm (1.7 in) including mirrors) and 8 mm (0.3 in) taller than its predecessor (E90). The wheelbase is longer by 50 mm (2.0 in). Also boot space is bigger by 20 litres (0.71 cu ft). Even though the new 3 Series is bigger and has more standard equipment than its predecessors, it is lighter than the model it replaces. For example, the new 328i has the same weight as the outgoing 325i and the new 335i is 40 kilograms (88 lb) lighter than the outgoing 335i.^[46]

Notable downgrades to the new 3-series from its E90 predecessor include the replacement of non-intrusive, articulated gas-strut trunk hinges with cheaper, obstructive gooseneck hinges as well as the deletion of LED turn signals in both the headlight and tail light clusters (with the return to traditional filament bulbs). This could be due to the fact that there are so few different types of lighting technology that the F30 needs something to "upgrade" to when it receives a facelift (BMW Life Cycle Impulse) for 2016.

US enthusiast magazine reviews were also less than stellar, in direct contradiction to those of their European counterparts. In their November, 2012, issue, Car and Driver wrote, "We're convinced that the E90 would handily win a comparison test against the F30." In the April, 2012, issue they noted an increase in weight, versus the BMW's suggestion of a loss: "weight gain from our last E90 335i test car is 77 pounds, at least some of which must be from the new optional 19-inch wheels ($900) . . . ." Furthermore, acceleration suffered in comparison to the E90 as well, "A slower 5-to-60 time of 5.9 seconds—we expected mid-fives for that—also indicated that something may have been amiss." The magazine closed the generally ambivalent article with, "At some point, BMW will have to take a bigger step to move forward or risk falling behind its competitors—but not just yet.". However, the British magazine 'Autocar' concluded: "in terms of outright ability, currently there is nothing that gets close to the 3-series, let alone looks likely to beat it. What must be so terrifying for rival manufacturers is the car’s ability across the board. It gives not just outstanding performance, but combines it with fabulous economy. It’s not just the best-handling car in the class, but the best-riding, too." and awarded the car a rare and coveted 5 star rating.^[47]

Safety

Euro NCAP

Euro NCAP test results
BMW 3 Series (2012)[48]
Test	Points	%
Overall:
Adult occupant:	34	95%
Child occupant:	41	84%
Pedestrian:	28	78%
Safety assist:	6	86%

Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS)

NHTSA

2013 328i sedan NHTSA scores^[50]

Overall:
Frontal Driver:
Frontal Passenger:
Side Driver:
Side Passenger:
Side Pole Driver:
Rollover:

Production

BMW ActiveHybrid 3 is produced at BMW Plant Munich. The Gran Turismo is produced in the 5 and 7 series plant in Dingolfing.

Marketing in the United States

As part of the BMW 3 Series Sedan market launch in the US, a series of 6 TV commercials were produced by Kirschenbaum, Bond, Senecal + Partners. Two of the shorts were premiered in ads during Super Bowl XLVI in regions across the U.S.: the first entitled “The Big Grab,” in the New York Tri-State area; and the second, “The Close Call,” in the Southern California-Los Angeles, Atlanta and Houston areas. Beginning in 2012-02-07, select digital shorts began airing online at sites including NBC.com, ABC.com and Hulu. All of the content, including the Super Bowl spots “The Close Call” and “The Big Grab,” where a heated steering wheel saves the day when a group of freezing friends hop into the car, can be viewed online at www.youtube.com/bmwusa.^[51]

References

External links

• Official website