Three-pot 3 Series for Oz
BMW Australia confirms first three-cylinder 3 Series for local line-up from OctoberBMW has confirmed a three-cylinder variant will be available in its updated 3 Series line-up. The revised range hits Australian showrooms from October (2015).
The 3 Series LCI ( Life Cycle Impulse) adds a new look and new features. The Australian market engine range will include modular all-aluminium three, four and six-cylinder petrol units from the German manufacturer’s EfficientDynamics engine family. Seven refreshed turbo-diesel variants are also available.
The smallest engine of the range is a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol triple which BMW Australia has confirmed will be the new entry-grade engine in the revised line-up.
“We’ve already experienced acceptance of three-cylinder engines in our other models, including the 2 Series Active Tourer,” said BMW Australia’s general manager of corporate communications, Lenore Fletcher.
“The engine is well regarded and we really think it will become a beacon for what the EfficientDynamics range of engines is capable of,” Fletcher concluded.
The three-cylinder-powered 318i will replace the current price leader, the South African-built 1.6-litre four-cylinder 316i (from $53,800).
The new three-cylinder engine is rated at 100kW and 220Nm and delivers a combined cycle average of 5.1L/100km. This is a 0.3L/100km improvement on the outgoing four, while at the same time retaining identical power and torque values. The new model is 5kg lighter at 1400kg (kerb), and like its predecessor will come standard with an eight-speed automatic transmission.
BMW Australia’s representative told motoring.com.au that although the company would confirm pricing and specification of the 3 Series LCI closer to the model’s local launch, that we can expect the revised line-up to mimic that of the outgoing range.
The comment would seem to indicate that we could expect a mix of four petrol and two diesel variants, with Fletcher saying the 318i, 330i and 340i are already locked in.
Visit motoring.com.au again soon for our international launch review of the all-new BMW 3 Series LCI.
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