BMW 3 Series gets ‘long-wheelbase’ treatment for China

By: CAR magazine

The long-wheelbase version of the new BMW 3 Series has made its debut at Auto Shanghai 2019, boasting what the Munich-based firm describes as the “most spacious and comfortable interior of any premium mid-sized car”.

Developed exclusively for the Chinese market, BMW says the 3 Series Li has been “tailored specifically to the requirements of Chinese customers”.

With a wheelbase extended by some 110 mm (to 2 961 mm), the newcomer offers what the Bavarian brand terms “outstanding comfort for rear passengers”. The rear doors are also 110 mm longer than standard, with rear legroom gaining an additional 43 mm.

Interestingly, it was developed alongside the standard-wheelbase G20-generation sedan in Munich in “co-operation with Chinese engineers”. It is also the first BMW model available in China with the new “Intelligent Personal Assistant” system.

At launch in China, the new model will be offered in 325Li guise, with its turbocharged 2,0-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine generating 135 kW and 300 N.m. As standard, the four-pot is mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission driving the rear wheels.

The long-wheelbase 3 Series will be produced by BMW Brilliance Automotive at its Tiexi plant in Shenyang.

 

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