Car Enthusiast - click here to access the home page


 


BMW updates its class-leading 3 Series. Image by BMW.

BMW updates its class-leading 3 Series
BMW continues to improve its line-up through evolution, with the 'new' 3 Series featuring a lot of change, but not so you'll notice.
<< earlier article     later article >>

 


News homepage

Newer articles featuring 2008 BMW 3 Series

2009-01-09: Cruise missile
2009-01-07: Eight into four
2008-11-17: Having your cake and eating it
2008-10-14: Estate management
2008-09-03: Bavarian bread and butter
2008-08-21: Facelifted BMW 3 Series on video
2008-08-21: Facelifted BMW 3 Series on video
2008-08-21: Facelifted BMW 3 Series on video

| Mid-life facelift | 2008 Paris Motor Show | 2009 BMW 3 Series saloon & Touring |

Even by BMW's standards the new 3 Series is a mild evolution of the current version. Although a significant number of body panels front and rear have been modified, including the bonnet, bumpers and lights, you'll need to park the new car alongside the old to really notice.

In profile, the distinctive line joining front to rear is more pronounced and the rear lights feature LEDs and a bolder appearance than before, while some models gain a wider rear track and new alloy wheels.

Inside, enhancements are just as restrained, with new materials and switchgear shared with the newest models in BMW's line-up. More significantly, the 3 Series benefits from a much-improved version of the iDrive infotainment system, with improved graphics and extra buttons on the iDrive controller to aid quicker navigation of the various menus. Additionally, the satnav has more functionality and buyers can even opt for Internet capability.

Not much has changed under the bonnet, though BMW looks ready to market its turbodiesels in the States thanks to lower emissions and the capability to pass forthcoming legislation. The 330d's engine has been updated, however, resulting in extra power and torque and even lower fuel consumption than before. It virtually eliminates the need for the 325d model, though we're not sure why BMW isn't offering a 323d with the 123d's twin-turbo unit.

Coupé and convertible buyers will gain the option of BMW's new seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox (as seen in the new M3, while the six-speed automatic 'box has been enhanced and is available across more of the range.

We'll be driving the new 3 Series ahead of its Paris Motor Show debut in October, with sales in the UK starting soon after.

Shane O' Donoghue - 14 Jul 2008

Earlier articles featuring 2008 BMW 3 Series

2008-07-11: Facelifted BMW 3 Series in full detail
2008-04-29: Open-topped M-thrills
2008-03-31: BMW's deal clincher


2008 BMW 3 Series saloon. Image by BMW.2008 BMW 3 Series saloon. Image by BMW.2008 BMW 3 Series saloon. Image by BMW.2008 BMW 3 Series saloon. Image by BMW.2008 BMW 3 Series saloon. Image by BMW.

2008 BMW 3 Series saloon. Image by BMW.2008 BMW 3 Series saloon. Image by BMW.2008 BMW 3 Series saloon. Image by BMW.2008 BMW 3 Series saloon. Image by BMW.2008 BMW 3 Series saloon. Image by BMW.









www.bmw.co.uk    - BMW road tests
- BMW news
- 3 Series images






Land Rover teases new flagship Defender Octa. Image by Land Rover.
Land Rover Defender Octa teaser
The forthcoming, high-performance, top-of-the-range Defender takes its name from the shape of a diamond, apparently.
 
Volkswagen unveils hot ID.3 GTX models. Image by Volkswagen.
VW ID.3 GTX reveal
High-performance electric hatchback will be offered in ‘standard’ and Performance guises.
VW adds go-faster GTX model to ID.7 range. Image by Volkswagen.
VW ID.7 GTX reveal
The hot ID.7 GTX gets 340hp and all-wheel drive, and it’ll be offered in saloon and estate body styles.

 
 215 Racing
 9ff
 A. Kahn Design
 Abarth
 Abt
 AC Cars
 AC Schnitzer
 Acura
 Aehra
 AIM
 Alfa Romeo
 Alpina
 Alpine
 Amari
 APS Sportec
 Arash
 Arden
 Ares
 Ariel
 Arrinera
 Artega
 Ascari
 Aston Martin
 Atalanta
 Atomik
 Audi
 Austin
 Auto Union
 Autodelta
 Autofarm
 Autosport
 AVA
 Avatar
 Axon
 Aznom
 BAC
 BAIC
 Bentley
 Bertone
 Bizzarrini
 Bloodhound
 Bluebird
 BMW
 Bosch
 Bowler
 Brabham
 Brabus
 Breckland
 Bridgestone
 Brilliance
 Bristol
 Bugatti
 Buick
 Burton
 BYD
 Cadillac
 Callaway
 Callum
 Caparo
 Capstone
 Carlsson
 Caterham
 CCG
 Chang'an
 Changfeng
 Chevrolet
 Chevron
 Chongfeng
 Chrysler
 Citroen
 Climax
 Connaught
 Cooper Tires
 Corvette
 Cummins
 Cupra
 Dacia
 Daewoo
 Daihatsu
 Daimler
 Dartz
 Datsun
 David Brown
 David Brown Automotive
 DDR
 De Tomaso
 Delta
 Detroit Electric
 Devon
 Dodge
 Donkervoort
 Drayson
 DS
 Eagle
 Eagle E-type
 EDAG
 edo competition
 Eterniti
 Everrati
 Evisol
 Exagon
 FAB Design

 
 Factory Five
 Faralli & Mazzanti
 Fenix
 Fenomenon
 Ferrari
 Fiat
 Fisker
 Ford
 G-Power
 Geely
 Gemballa
 General Motors
 Genesis
 Ginetta
 Giugiaro
 Glickenhaus
 GMC
 Goodwood
 Google
 Gordon Murray
 Gordon Murray Automotive
 Gordon Murray Design
 Gray Design
 Great Wall
 GTA
 GTM
 Gumpert
 Hamann
 Hartge
 HBH
 Heffner Performance
 Hennessey
 HERE
 HiPhi
 Holden
 Honda
 Hulme
 Hummer
 Hyundai
 I.D.E.A
 Icona
 IFR
 Infiniti
 Ionity
 Isis
 JAC
 Jaguar
 Jeep
 Jensen
 Jetstream
 JJAD
 Joss Developments
 Kahn
 Kamala
 Keating
 Kia
 Koenigsegg
 KTM
 Kumho
 Lada
 Lagonda
 Lamborghini
 Lancia
 Land Rover
 Lexus
 Liberty
 Lightning
 Lincoln
 Lister
 Loma Performance
 Lorinser
 Lotus
 LupiniPower
 Luxgen
 Mahindra
 Mansory
 Maserati
 Mastretta
 Maybach
 Mazda
 McLaren
 Mercedes
 Mercedes-AMG
 Mercedes-Benz
 Mercedes-Maybach
 Mercury
 Metrocab
 MG
 Michelin
 MINI
 Mitsubishi
 MMI
 Monte Carlo
 Mopar
 Morgan
 Mosler
 MTM
 Munro
 NAC MG
 Nichols Cars
 Nissan
 NLV

 
 Noble
 Novitec
 Opel
 Overfinch
 Pagani
 Perodua
 Peugeot
 Piaggio
 Pininfarina
 Polestar
 Pontiac
 Porsche
 Praga
 Preview
 Prodrive
 Project Runningblade
 Project Velocity
 Proton
 Protoscar
 Qoros
 Radical
 Range Rover
 Red Bull
 Renault
 Reva
 Rimac
 Rinspeed
 RoadRazer
 Rolls-Royce
 Ronn Motor Company
 Rover
 RUF
 Saab
 SAIC
 Saleen
 Saturn
 Scagliarini
 SCG
 Scion
 SDR Sportscars
 SEAT
 Sin
 Singer
 Skoda
 Smart
 Soleil
 Spada
 speedArt
 Sportec
 Spyker
 SRT
 Ssangyong
 SSC
 Startech
 STaSIS
 Subaru
 Suzuki
 Suzusho
 TAD
 Tamiya
 Tata
 Techart
 Tesla
 The Little Car Company
 THINK
 Thunder Power
 Tojeiro
 Tommy Kaira
 TomTom
 Toray
 Toyota
 Trabant
 TranStar
 Trident
 Tushek
 TVR
 UKCOTY
 Vanda Electrics
 Vauxhall
 Velozzi
 Vencer
 Venturi
 Veritas
 Vizualtech
 VL Automotive
 Volkswagen
 Volvo
 VUHL
 WCA
 WCotY
 Webasto
 Westfield
 Wiesmann
 Xenatec
 Yamaha
 Zagato
 Zarooq
 Zeekr
 Zenos
 Zenvo



 
 






External links:   | Irish Car Market News |

Internal links:   | Home | Privacy | Contact us | Archives | Old motor show reports | Follow Car Enthusiast on Twitter | Copyright 1999-2024 ©