New BMW 3 Series revs up

BMW has released a handful of new details, photos and a video of its crucial next-generation (G20) BMW 3 Series, which will be revealed in early October at the 2018 Paris motor show.

Expected to arrive in Australia in the first half of 2019, the new BMW 3 Series model with M sports suspension will be lower, wider, lighter, better balanced and more agile than its predecessor, claims BMW, with final testing taking place at the infamous Nurburgring road course, a 22km high-speed circuit.

Nicknamed the Green Hell by one of three-time F1 champion Sir Jackie Stewart for its intense high-speed corners bumpy surface, the Nurburgring is widely acknowledged as the world’s most important track, with lap records providing car brands with global bragging rights.

Although BMW is not talking about lap records at this stage – the next-gen BMW M3 and M4 probably won’t arrive until at least 2020 – the four door sedan in the photos is fitted with M sports suspension which drops ride height by 10mm. Chuck in 18-inch alloy wheels and what BMW claims is “the most powerful 4-cylinder engine ever to be fitted in a BMW series production model,” and you’re looking at an economical but potent German luxury sedan.

Now in its seventh-generation, the BMW 3 Series is the self-styled dynamic benchmark in the medium luxury car segment, with arch-rivals Mercedes-Benz C-Class and Audi A4 shooting for luxury and technology respectively.

BMW says up to 55kg has been slashed from the 3 Series’ kerb weight while weight distribution is 50:50 front to rear, which is more akin to a sports car than a sedan.

Based on the same CLAR platform architecture as the new 5 Series and flagship 7 Series sedans, and eventually all of Munchen’s rear and all-wheel drive models, the new G20 BMW 3 Series will be stiffer and more responsive, while employing all the latest connectivity, safety and driver technology.

BMW says the new 3 Series is “geared towards enhanced sporty flair” and although it will continue running a revised version of the current model’s ZF-sourced eight-speed transmission, suspension components are all new which are claimed to deliver improved handling and better ride comfort.

Lift-related dampers will be standard on all 2019 BMW 3 Series vehicles and are the key to its sporty but smooth ride quality, says BMW. They are also the first of their kind employed on a car by the Munich-based company.

BMW says the clever new dampers can neutralise bumps in the road “gently and precisely” in order to deliver a sporty but comfortable product.

"We're using the lift-related dampers as an active set-up element so as to create supreme driving properties in all conditions," said Peter Langen, Head of Driving Dynamics at BMW.

"With short spring travel, a sensitive damping response ensures comfortable vibration compensation. When the car passes over large bumps, the body movements are controlled by increased damping forces."

"We've also made the M sports suspension much sportier, with more rigid bearings and stabilisers, harder springs and additional body struts,” said Langen.

Other sporty features designed to epitomise BMW’s “Sheer Driving Pleasure” mantra include an M sports rear differential.

"Unlike conventional mechanical locks, the regulated M sports differential can optimise so much more than just traction," reckons Langen.

"In addition to cornering dynamics, there is a particularly tangible increase in drive stability in the event of load changes, for example. This allows the new BMW 3 Series sedan to be driven remarkably confidently and effortlessly even when travelling in dynamic style."

Are you excited for the arrival of the next-generation 2019 BMW 3 Series or has BMW dropped off your radar? Have your say below.