BMW South Africa has just released official details of the 2011 model year 3 Series. Along with important updates to styling and features, the coupé, convertible, saloon and touring versions all benefit from new engine line-ups for “enhanced driving pleasure.”
BMW says the revisions on the 3 Series Coupé and Cabriolet (which makes use of an electrically-retractable metal roof) have been designed to place greater emphasis on the sporting profile made up by a steeply-raked A-pillar and long wheelbase, while slight refinements have been made up front and at the rear.
Notable revisions include a wider kidney grille, longer front and rear overhangs by 29 and 3 mm, respectively, extended front air intake, new bi-xenon headlamps, and tail-lamp clusters in an L-shape.
An extensive range of colours and materials are available for the interior, including standard “Diagonal” cloth, and optional “Dakota” leather, as well as colours that include soft grey “Oyster” and trim such as Bamboo Anthracite grain. Both models feature a leather-clad sports steering wheel as standard with satellite controls and gearshift paddles for manually shifting through the automatic transmission and Sports automatic.
The engine line-up across the 3 Series range will include the range-topping new N55 TwinPower engine. This turbocharged inline 3,0-litre six-cylinder develops 225 kW at 5 800 r/min and 400 N.m of torque from 1 200 to 5 000 r/min. BMW claims the new single turbo engine uses just 9,1 litres/100 km on the EU combined cycle in the 3 Series Coupé, and 9,5 for the Convertible – with CO2 emissions of just 212 and 222 g/km respectively.
The other important upgrade to the 3 Series range is that there is now a more powerful four-cylinder diesel available in the 320d saloon and 320d Touring. Maximum power is up 5 kW to 135 kW at 4 000 r/min and peak torque is up 30 N.m to 380 N.m from 1 900 to 2 750 r/min. Despite the increase in performance, BMW claims an EU test cycle of 5,3 litres/100 km (5,4 for the 320d Touring) and CO2 ratings of 140 g/km for the saloon, and 142 g/km for the stationwagon.
For those that seek more individuality, the new limited-edition 3 Series Dynamic Edition (available only on 320i, 320d and 335i models) is based on M Sport principles for enhanced dynamics, while a limited run of 300 ensures exclusivity.
The Dynamic Edition is characterised by exclusive paintwork, M Sport suspension, 18-inch light-alloy wheels as well as special upholstery with appropriate interior trim. Carbon fibre components have been used extensively to set the Dynamic Edition even further apart from “normal” versions of the 3 Series saloon.
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