7 Things you may not know about the new BMW 3-Series
Last week saw the launch of BMW’s big seller, the ever popular BMW 3-Series. Here are seven things you may not know about the new 3.
#1. It can reverse autonomously for up to 50 meters.
Ever pull into a friends driveway and mutter quietly: “I immediately regret this decision.” Well, BMW’s new system has you covered. Thanks to sophisticated radar tech, drivers can now reverse through a series of corners for up to 50 meters without touching the steering wheel. The system “memorizes” the route and reverse engineers your position back to where you came from. Incredible.
#2. The upcoming BMW M340i will be all-wheel drive.
I remember the collective gasp when BMW announced that the new M5 would be all-wheel drive. But BMW have since proved that they too can put their own spin on the “Quattro” system without giving up too much in dynamics. Expect the 340iX later this year. It will be the first all-wheel-drive BMW 3-Series we’ve ever seen in SA.
#3. This is the first fully imported 3-Series in decades.
Now that plant Rosslyn is focused on producing BMW’s X3 SUV, the 3-Series is no longer built locally. What does this mean for 3-Series? We’ll have to wait and see, but BMW are confident that just like its other imported offerings, the 3-Series won’t suffer with regards to support and reliability.
#4. It is bigger, longer and lighter.
Thanks to lightweight materials (how many times have you read that before?) the new 3-Series is in fact lighter than the previous generation when models are compared side by side. It certainly shows on the road as the car feels as good, if not better than any other 3 Series ever made.
#5. The dashboard is now fully digital, but there’s a catch.
Certain models in the range have the optional digital display, however BMW fans are in for a surprise as the rev counter now runs anti-clockwise instead of clockwise. It now looks fully symmetrical, but I’ve never been a fan of feeling like I’m cruising to the BP Express at 7700rpm. One does get used to it though, but hopefully the M3 (which arrives in 2020) comes with the conventional rev counter.
#6. It has the best autonomous system available locally.
For a while, Volvo’s system has been the best autonomous system locally available. But trust the Germans to Volvo better than Volvo. The new autonomous system is smooth, and also recognizes pavements, not just lines. Even in “extreme” testing up the busy Sir Lowry’s pass, the car stayed true, although dangerously close to the edge, and never crossed the line once. It’s also easy to operate and incredibly predictable.
#7. You can talk to the car, and the car talks back.
Say “Hello BMW” and the car answers back ready for your every command. So far the system is quite basic however this is just the genesis, look forward to more updates on this system as BMW expands and perfects it.
With the new BMW 3-Series, BMW has continued to improve on a product that, even in its previous iteration, can compete with the very best. Having been leapfrogged by others in autonomous driving, digital dash tech and Voice Command, BMW are now firmly up to speed with the latest its competitors have to offer. Expect to see many more new 3 Series on the roads. It might not be local anymore, but it certainly is still lekker.
