There are few nameplates in the motoring world that carry as much clout as that of the inimitable 3 Series, our 2022 Top12 Best Buy in the premium midsize segment. Now in its seventh incarnation, the G20 has just received its mid-cycle refresh and in the distance, faint bells celebrate the adherence to somewhat reasonable kidney grilles…
Of course, there’s more to a modern BMW than its kidneys. The BMW 3 Series LCI (that’s facelift in BMW speak) brings with it a bit of a styling refresh, as well as smattering of new technology in the cabin.
If some of the styling changes seem familiar, its likely because ma number of these have been adopted from the new i3 sedan, the electric version of the Bavarian firm’s best-selling sedan. Most notably, perhaps, are the changes up front where the 3 Series’ face has received slimmer standard LED headlights, the DRL’s of which have now been inverted. The grille has been revised too with the slats now featuring ‘double bars’ bringing the design in line with the rest of the BMW range. Head rearwards and those with eagle-eyed vision will notice slightly slimmer taillights and larger tailpipe finishers. The exterior design is then finished off with the M High-gloss Shadowline which is standard across the range, as are 17-inch light alloy wheels.
As before, the M Sport package is available for those who have a penchant for M badges and a new M Sport package Pro makes its way to the options list, too. Aprons front and rear have been redesigned and the kidneys now feature a honeycomb pattern on M Sport-fitted models. Opt for the M Performance package and a mesh grille with 18- or optional 19-inch M light alloy wheels, trapezoidal tailpipe finishers and black high-gloss finish M mirror caps.
The newly-added M Sport Package Pro receives additional braking power with an M Sport braking system with snazzy red callipers, as well as M lights Shadowline and M High-gloss Shadowline trim. A number of M Performance Parts are available to be retrofitted, too.
New paint colours are available for the new 3’ with M Brooklyn Grey metallic and Skyscraper Grey metallic being available in conjunction with the M Sport package, and BMW Individual Frozen Tanzanite Blue metallic and Frozen Pure Grey metallic being added to a range of around 150 BMW Individual paint options.
In the cabin of the updated 3 Series, the showstopper is the standard fitment BMW Curved Display which features BMW’s new iDrive 8 operating system as per the iX electric SAV. This new system, which we first saw in the i3 Sedan, combines a 14,9-inch infotainment screen and a 12,3-inch instrument cluster to create a driver-focused cockpit, something which BMW has always aimed to achieve. Where this differs from 3’s of old is that there are now very few buttons to be found in the cabin with touch and voice control being the order of the day. Gone too is the transmission lever, replaced by a rather inconspicuous toggle switch on the centre console.
An automatic dimming rear-view mirror and 3-zone climate control are fitted as standard, along with front and rear parking sensors and BMW Live Cockpit Plus with BMW Maps navigation.
In terms of powertrain offering, the range remains relatively unchanged with 2,0-litre petrol and diesel mills making an appearance as before, as well as the more potent M340i xDrive. Hardcore M3 Competition and M3 Competition xDrive models complete the range which will be available locally in the second half of 2022.
