Facelifted BMW 3 Series here for Christmas

The facelifted 2023 BMW 3 Series has been revealed just 24 hours after it was teased via social media, and confirmed for release in Australia in the closing stages of this year.

The popular mid-size luxury sedan and wagon now resembles a shrunken BMW M5 thanks to its radically changed front bumper and refined rear apron.

Indeed the dominating design feature of the upgraded seventh-generation (G20) BMW 3 Series, which was named carsales Car of the Year in 2019 following its release earlier that year, is its gaping new lower front intake and enlarged twin kidney grilles, complemented by angular new headlights and daytime running lights.

Where the 3 Series could previously have been described as neutral-looking, the new model is decidedly angrier thanks to its inverted DRLs as well as the darker finish applied to the grilles and intake mesh.

The new frown is matched at the rear by much more aggressive bumper design, which now sports a massive imitation diffuser – even on the Touring wagon – and slimmer, redesigned tail-lights.

In typical local fashion, all Australian-delivered 2023 BMW 3 Series variants will be fitted with the M Sport package as standard, which ups the ante even further via bolder bumper designs and sportier BMW M light-alloy wheels, while M340i xDrive variants will also flaunt a unique grille mesh texture, trapezoidal exhaust outlets and gloss-black mirror caps.

Customers will have the option to take the visual menace even further thanks to the optional new M Sport Package Pro which adds extended M High-gloss Shadowline trim, M lights Shadowline and an M Sport braking system with red callipers.

Lurking behind the updated skin will be an unchanged line-up of powertrains for the 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol 320i and 330i variants, the 330e plug-in hybrid and the 3.0-litre turbo-petrol straight-six M340i.

All of these powerplants are matched to an eight-speed automatic transmission as standard, with drive sent to the rear wheels in all variants but the all-wheel drive M340i xDrive.

Those wanting the extra space of the 3 Series Touring will have to settle for the mid-range 330i donk as it’s (again) the only one set to be offered in five-door wagon configuration.

As expected, the 3 Series’ interior has also been given a makeover, bringing the same cabin layout as the Chinese-market i3 sedan, including a new dual-screen arrangement for the infotainment and instrument displays.

The new dashboard set-up sees the previously dash-mounted multimedia screen move to a more free-standing position that flush with the redesigned 12.3-inch digital cockpit, yielding a far more cohesive look for the dashboard and particularly the centre fascia thanks to the reduced number of buttons and controls.

Other changes of note include a redesigned gear selector and a cleaner centre console layout.

In terms of technology and connectivity, the 14.9-inch infotainment system is run by BMW’s latest Operating System 8, along with the newest iteration of BMW iDrive.

Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, My BMW App connectivity, Bluetooth, BMW ConnectedDrive Upgrades and an updated BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant all feature as standard.

As one might expect of an updated premium sedan, the standard safety suite is headlined by all the latest versions of BMW’s Driving Assistant (lane departure warning, lane change warning, front collision warning with brake intervention, rear crossing traffic warning and rear collision prevention) and Parking Assistant (reversing camera and reversing assistant).

“The latest iteration of the BMW 3 Series will launch in Australia later this year, bringing a refreshed styling package, clear advances in digitalisation and enhanced levels of equipment,” said BMW Australia today.

“The 3 Series is the core of the BMW brand and represents the epitome of driving pleasure and the benchmark for sporting prowess in the mid-size luxury sedan segment.”

Pricing and finer specification details for the updated BMW 3 Series range will be announced closer to its arrival in the fourth quarter of the year.

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