Here we have the all-new 3-Series, which does not only look stunning but also drives much better than its predecessor, thanks to the new rigid chassis and powerful engine. The car that we reviewed is the 330i MSport, which has a petrol engine and the MSport body kit. Read our detailed review below:
Design and Dimensions
The new generation 3-series is 76 mm longer, 16 mm wider and almost 1 mm taller than its previous generation model. Apart from that, the car now also gets a 41 mm longer wheelbase, which results in 11 mm of extra legroom for the rear passengers. The chassis in the new model has been thoroughly worked upon, as in most areas, the rigidity of the chassis has now increased by about 25-50%.
The new headlight design is now much more angular and sharp when compared to the old one, while the trademarked kidney grille from BMW now gets a more bold chrome border. The car also gets an active grille, which opens and closes according to the speed and required cooling, to improve the aerodynamic efficiency of the car. As this is the MSport variant, the car gets an aggressive-looking front air intake for the front bumper. The front headlamps include a set of LED DRLs on both sides, with sleek turn indicators placed at the top corner of each headlamp. The headlights also get a swivel function which acts as a cornering light too, while the fog lights are also LEDs.
From the side, BMW’s trademarked long bonnet gives the car a premium sporty feel. The 18-inch diamond-cut MSport edition alloys are fitted with Michelin Pilot Sports tyres. The MSport badge on the side, the sloping roofline and the side skirts add to the overall sporty look of the car. On the rear, the twin exhausts enhance the tough character of the new 3-series, while the new taillight design and the slightly curved boot lid/integrated spoiler lends the car a more futuristic and bold look.
Performance
The 2019 BMW 330i MSport gets a 2.0-litre petrol engine that generates around 258 PS of peak power and 400 Nm of torque while being mated to an 8-speed Steptronic Sport Automatic Transmission. All this power is able to propel the car from 0-100 in just 5.8 seconds. This variant is also the most powerful in the 3-series range, however, the 320d diesel variant is not far behind as it gets a 2.0-litre turbo-diesel engine, which is capable of producing around 190 HP and 400 Nm of peak torque, that can propel the car from nought to 100 in under 7 seconds. Talking about the 330i, the power delivery is quite punchy and the car starts pulling away as soon as you hit the throttle. The turbo spools up and gives you a boost at around 3,000 rpms and then the second stage of turbo-boost starts kicking in at about 4,000 rpms, after which the car pulls away cleanly till it touches 6,800 rpms. The car provides a mileage of around 10-12 kmpl in the city and around 14-15 kmpl on the highway. Overall, the engine is very well tuned and feels quite punchy and powerful throughout the rev range.
What’s new?
The 2019 3-series gets a load of new practical features such as an NFC-enabled mobile key, a 12.3-inch fully-digital instrument console, a 10.25-inch HD advanced touchscreen infotainment system with voice control and real-time driver information display, wireless charging, different driving modes (Comfort, EcoMode, Sport, Sport+), trackpad for seamless navigation, gesture control, parking assists, reverse assists, a bigger sunroof, 205 watt 10-speaker sound system and Launch control as standard.
How good is the interior?
The new 2019 3-series gets a slightly bigger cabin and quite a few design and functional changes. The side door panels get a soft-to-touch dual-tone finish, while the plastic material used is not rough and gives a soft and smooth feel. The ambient lighting system lights up the car and brightens up your mood, as they can be changed from the driver-oriented 10.25-inch centre screen. The satin-silver finish door pulls, the sporty 3-spoke steering wheel and the dark-finished drive selector give the car a rich feel. The door sills and the car key also get the MSport badging. The front seats are electrically adjusted and also get a bolstering adjustment button for improved comfort during cornering and sharp turns. Apart from that, the seats also get a manually adjusted thigh support extender for enhanced comfort.
How good is the rear passenger comfort?
The ingress and egress for the rear passengers have subsequently improved, as the doors now open wide enough when compared to the previous model. The door pockets get plenty of storage spaces and the rear centre armrest also comes with 2 additional cup holders. The seats have been completely redesigned and are now much more comfortable and get improved thigh support. However, due to the high transmission tunnel, seating 3 passengers for long journeys is not recommendable. The addition of 3-zone climate control is also one of the most prominent features in the new-gen 3-series.
Verdict
When compared to its rivals, the new 3-series turns out to be the perfect choice for driving enthusiasts and also the people who would love to have a chauffeur-driven experience, as the rear seat comfort has now improved and the addition of various new features makes this car one of the best in its segment. Apart from a few hints of cost-cutting, the new 3-series is a very modern and practical car. Prices start from INR 41.40 lakh (ex-showroom, India).
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