The full gen on BMW's new 3 Series

It's the pivotal model in BMW's range — and the new generation (F30) 3 Series is about to move into a role even more important to the future of the Munich-based manufacturer.

We've driven the 328i already and there have been some hints forthcoming concerning environmentally-sensitive models to come — plus rumours are circulating that the new F30 platform will be the fundament for a wider range of body style variants than ever before. So the significance of the new 3 Series to BMW can hardly be underestimated.

BMW has now released a full press kit of information concerning the new range and, while much of the content amounts to Donald Rumsfeld's famed 'known unknowns', there's a lot of nitty-gritty that needs to move into the arena of 'known knowns'.

For a start — and despite its apparent resemblance to the current E90 — the new 3 is longer and wider. Even the wheelbase (now 2810mm) is stretched 50mm and the overall length has grown 93mm. BMW also cites wider tracks front (+37mm) and rear (+47mm). Despite the larger footprint, the new model is claimed by BMW to be 40kg lighter than equivalent models in the E90 series. That's a consequence of higher content of lightweight materials in the body construction, also aiding crash safety and torsional rigidity.

The extra width and length have resulted in enhanced roominess inside the car, according to the maker — 15mm extra rear-seat kneeroom, 8mm more headroom and 20 litres more boot volume — and in keeping with the car's move into another dimension, the 3 Series is now offered in three cosmetic styles: Sport Line, Luxury Line and Modern Line. All three ride on 17 or 18-inch alloy wheels, according to the engine specified. Sport Line models are basically finished in coordinating gloss black, with red inside for the instrument bezels and upholstery stitching. Luxury line models go with chrome outside and a combination of chrome and wood inside. Modern line models feature satin-look aluminium with gloss black outside, pearl-effect chrome and woodgrain inside. There's also an M Sport package available, comprising 18 or 19-inch alloys, a combination of cloth and Alcantara upholstery and other standard M Sport accoutrements.

Power for the new models will come from four 'TwinPower' turbocharged engines, comprising two diesels, the petrol six and the four-cylinder that resides under the bonnet of the 328i. All 3 Series variants retain the car's traditional 50/50 weight distribution for optimal cornering dynamics.

All cars sold in Australia (irrespective of engine chosen) can be specified with eight-speed automatic transmission and auto-stop/start functionality. A six-speed manual transmission is also available by default. Other fuel-saving features include Brake Energy Regeneration, Optimum Shift Indicator and on-demand ancillary components drive. Drivers can select ECO PRO mode from the Driving Experience Control switch too, if they're all done with the Comfort, Sport or Sport+ options. BMW has introduced Air Curtain technology around the front wheels to improve aerodynamics, and the underbody also received the wind tunnel treatment for optimised air flow, both of which reduce NVH and fuel consumption at speed.

As the fuel miser of the range, the 320d develops 120kW of power and 380Nm of torque. The posted fuel consumption figure in the NEDC combined-cycle test is 4.5L/100km, which equates to CO2 emissions of 118g/km in the same test. As reported previously, BMW will also offer an EfficientDynamics version of the 320d to sip just 4.1L/100km (109g/km of CO2), and the company will further expand the 3 Series range with the ActiveHybrid 3 later in the year, 2012. Acceleration times for the diesel fours are 7.5 seconds for the 320d and 8.0 seconds for the EfficientDynamics version, which comes with a taller diff ratio, lowered ride height, lower rolling resistance tyres and aerodynamically styled wheels.

The 2.0-litre turbo four in the 328i is a petrol engine developing 180kW of power and 350Nm of torque. BMW rates the 328i's acceleration at 5.9 seconds for the sprint from standing start to 100km/h. In the combined-cycle test it uses 6.4L/100km.

Displacing 3.0 litres, the TwinPower turbo six that drives the 335i is the other petrol engine in the range and produces 225kW of power and 400Nm of torque. BMW claims a 5.5-second 0-100km/h time for this variant with the six-speed manual box. Fuel consumption is rated at 7.9L/100km (combined) and CO2 emissions in the same test amount to 186g/km. Those figures are for the manual version, with the automatic achieving 7.2L/100km and 169g/km.

Whatever the variant, the 3 Series will ride on run-flat tyres with a Tyre Puncture Warning System. A key feature of the new model range is the electromechanical power steering, which also does its bit for the environment, requiring no direct (hydraulic) power taken from the engine. And the 3 Series also scores a lightweight braking system.

3 Series buyers will be much more involved in the day-to-day business of driving through BMW's ConnectedDrive system, which bundles together Active Cruise Control/Stop&Go, Lane Change Warning System, Lane Departure Warning System, Collision Warning and Real-Time Traffic Information. Two options that span the spectrum from convenience to necessity are a hands-free boot opening feature and Advanced eCall, which alerts BMW Assist in the event of a crash and provides emergency services with details of the vehicle's location.

Somewhere in between the two are the Bluetooth office functions, comprising internet weather and news reporting, plus calendar entries and SMS/Email communications. Incoming text communications can be read to the driver by the car, through the iDrive system's Text to Speech function. Whether these features or the Speed Limit Info (with No Passing Info display) and the Real Time Traffic Information systems make it to Australia remains in doubt.

In addition to the EfficientDynamics model and the ActiveHybrid 3, other variants in the pipeline include 320i, 318d and 316d. The 3 Series is scheduled for local launch during the second quarter of next year.

Read the latest news and reviews on your mobile, iPhone or PDA at carsales' mobile site...