After three years in market, BMW Australia has confirmed an updated version of its 3 Series sedan and Touring (wagon) will arrive in local showrooms in the fourth quarter of 2022.
The line-up will consist of the sedan in 320i, 330i, 330e plug-in hybrid and M340i xDrive variants, with the Touring offered in 330i guise only. All will feature an eight-speed (torque-converter) transmission driving the rear or all-four wheels.
A subtle cosmetic makeover includes a refreshed nose and tail treatment with slimmer LED headlights, revised DRLs and double bars in the ‘kidney’ grille, up front.
A new rear apron features a greater proportion of surfaces painted in body colour, slim lights, and exhaust tips measuring 90 or 100mm depending on the variant.
The M Sport package is already standard on all Australian 3 Series models, and it now brings new alloy wheels in 18- or 19-inch format with ‘mixed’ tyres.
For those chasing an even sportier look a new ‘M Sport Package Pro’ will be available including additional ‘M High-gloss Shadowline’ trim, ‘M Shadowline’ lights and an M Sport braking system with red calipers.
New metallic colours include, ‘Skyscraper Grey’, ‘M Brooklyn Grey’, ‘Frozen Pure Grey’ and ‘Frozen Tanzanite Blue.’
Inside a 12.3-inch instrument/information screen is joined by a 14.9-inch multimedia interface to form a single curved screen across the upper part of the dash.
The gear shift has been reshaped with controls for functions like start/stop, media and the car’s dynamic set-up grouped around it. Three-zone climate control is standard on all models.
The new 3 Series will also boast the latest generation of BMW’s iDrive operating system incorporating extended capabilities for the ‘Personal Assistant’ function, and the ‘My BMW App.’
BMW is set to confirm pricing and exact specification for the new car closer to its arrival date, but as a guide the current line-up starts at $69,900, before on-road costs, for the 320i Sport, running to $111,900 for the M 340i xDrive.
In 2021 the 3 Series accounted for 16 per cent of BMW Australia’s sales volume, and the medium luxury sedan category is currently dominated by the Tesla Model 3 with 52 per cent market share.
Keyword: 2023 BMW 3 Series with new look coming to challenge Audi A4, Jaguar XE, Lexus IS, and Mercedes-Benz C-Class