The BMW 3 Series has been the most lauded sport sedan in the world for longer than we can remember. Worthy competitors pop up, only to fall short of beating this benchmark – often by some subjective measure that can't be quantified. So it's a big deal when the 3 Series is up for a clean-sheet redesign. Not one to refuse a challenge, BMW has stepped up to the task of redesigning its best-selling vehicle and came up with this, the redesigned 2012 BMW 3 Series.BMW clearly wanted to bring the design of the new 3 Series more in-line with the look of its other new cars, mainly the 5, 6 and 7 Series. To that end, the most visible difference is up front, where the car's nose has grown in size. Likely a nod to European safety standards that require taller hoods for pedestrian safety, the 3 Series' new schnoz is both taller and wider than before. The new, larger twin-kidney grille is also no longer separated from the headlights, which are also bigger. Instead, the grille surrounds meet a small portion of the lights to create the impression of a more unified front fascia. It looks a bit like the 5 Series, but also appears to draw inspiration from the forthcoming i8. The new 3 Series looks most familiar, from the side while the new rear end shows off the car's larger trunk.
BMW has stretched the car's new shape around a platform that's larger in every dimension. Its front track is wider by 1.46 inches, the rear by 1.85 inches and length has increased by a full 3.66 inches. Despite being bigger, the new 3 Series is also 88 pounds lighter than its predecessor. Those extra inches outside translate to more rear seat room inside, though not much. What BMW defines as "legroom inside the doors" increases by 0.71 inches and kneeroom is up by 0.6 inches, while headroom grows a scant 0.31 inches. As mentioned, trunk space has grown with the 2012 model able to swallow three golf bags at once.The new 3 Series is also marked by the arrival of BMW's new turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that first debuted in the Z4. Replacing the brand's venerable 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder in the 328i model, the new four-cylinder produces 240 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, both significant increases. BMW claims the new 328i will also be more fuel efficient despite the extra power, and while fuel economy numbers aren't available yet, the company does say the new 328i will scoot to 60 miles per hour in 5.7 seconds and on to an electronically limited top speed of 130 mph.
The more powerful 335i model retains its N55 single-turbo 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder that once again produces 300 hp and 300 lb-feet, but thanks to new fuel-saving measures like Auto Start-Stop, Brake Energy Regeneration, an ECO PRO mode and new eight-speed automatic transmission (a six-speed manual is standard), BMW says the 335i can now achieve an estimated 32.6 mpg, though, again, official EPA numbers aren't yet available.The new 3 Series will be available in four trim levels to suit individual tastes: Sport Line, Luxury Line, Modern Line and M Sport Package. The Sport Line is identified by its dark side, which means lots of gloss black trim on the exterior, as well as gloss black interior bits with red accents. The Luxury Trim, in contrast, favors shiny chrome and receives a special set of 18-inch multi-spoke alloy wheels. The Modern Line is a bit more subtle, decked out in satin aluminum trim with 18-inch turbine-style alloy wheels. Lastly, the M Sport Package alters the sedan's new look with an aerodynamics package and 18- or 19-inch M Design wheels. While falling short of a full on M car, the M Sport Package does also offer an M Sport suspension, M short-shifter and various other M-branded bits.
Lastly, the 2012 3 Series gains some tech enhancements that include a new full-color, high-resolution Heads-Up Display; Active Blind Spot Detection System; Camera monitoring for a Lane Departure Warning System and Collision Warning; and a new Surround View system with Top View and Side View to augment the rear-view camera. The 3 Series lineup will also welcome a hybrid variant later on in 2012 called the ActiveHybrid 3 that produces a combined gas/electric power output of 335 hp and 330 lb-ft of torque.The 2012 BMW 328i and 335i will arrive in U.S. showrooms in February 2012, with pricing to be announced at a later date, while the all-wheel-drive 328i and 335i xDrive models will be available in this summer. The ActiveHybrid 3, meanwhile, goes on sale in the fall. Now the only thing left to do is drive them.
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