BMW has sold 12 million 3-series models since 1975; it’s an important car, one that accounts for a third of global BMW sales. The sixth-generation, codenamed F30, has a lot to live up to, then. Here are the key changes:
Chassis
The F30 is still, of course, rear-wheel drive, has 50:50 weight distribution, and sticks with the MacPherson strut front/multi-link rear suspension layout of its predecessors rather than following the double-wishbone front suspension employed by the new F10 5-series. The suspension is, however, much tweaked, and the chassis itself is all-new.
Four-wheel drive will be offered on right-hand drive cars for the first time (you could get a four-wheel drive E30 3-series back in the 1980s!), and, while the previous-generation M3 was the only 3-series to get a limited-slip differential, the new lesser Threes get an LSD-mimicking electronic diff – accelerate out of a hairpin and it will subtly brake the unloaded inside wheel to stop it spinning away power.
Ring the changes
We’ve already mentioned the optional four-wheel drive, but there’s more new stuff too: an eight-speed auto will be offered across the range; there’ll be a high-performance 335i hybrid; stop-start is standard; and there’s a Drive Performance Control to offer a choice of four driving modes, from Eco Pro to Sport+.
But perhaps the biggest shift is reserved for the 328i. Cast your mind back to the E36-generation of the 1990s and you might remember a 320i – most people would have guessed it was a four-cylinder, when in fact it was a silky smooth six. The new 328i pulls the opposite trick: that badging has previously been appended to six-cylinder BMWs, but now it’s a downsized turbocharged four. It makes 242bhp and 258lb ft, while delivering 44.1mpg and emitting 149g/km.
And while the last-generation 3-series mixed naturally aspirated and turbocharged petrols and diesels in its line-up, the F30 is the first ever 3-series to have nothing but turbo power. Yes, even the upcoming M3.
Dimensions
The all-new chassis incorporates a 50mm stretch in wheelbase to liberate more legroom. There’s also 8mm more headroom, plus 20 extra litres of stowage space in the boot. Overall length/width/height dimensions swell from the outgoing E90-generation’s 4531/1817/1421 to 4624/1811/1441mm. Despite this, a focus on weight-saving technology has shaved 50kg from the kerbweight.
Standard equipment
As before, the 316d sits at the bottom of the 3-series ladder. Its price rises by £320 to £24,880, yet there’s much more standard kit than before: 17-inch alloys, automatic air-con, Bluetooth phone connectivity, BMW Professional radio with 6.5in colour screen and iDrive, keyless starting, a USB port, multi-function leather steering wheel, cruise control and automatic boot opening.
The 320d
Ah yes, the fleet favourite. In fact, if you want a diesel from the February 2012 launch date, only two are on offer, and both are badged 320d: the regular model and an eco-optimised EfficientDynamics variant. The regular model gets 181bhp, 280lb ft, 62.8mpg and 120g/km, while the 320d ED reduces power to 161bhp (torque remains the same), which partly helps to explain the improved 68.9mpg and 109g/km. Both 320d variants cost £28,080 – just £180 more than before – and you can expect the Efficient Dynamics to go down a storm on the company fleets – not only does it cost £20 to tax and brings low Benefit-In-Kind company car tax, but those firms that purchase a 320d ED outright will be able to write off 100 percent of its cost against tax.
The 316d and 318d will join the line-up next, while six-cylinder diesels will follow.
>> Click 'Next' for the trim level details for the BMW 3-series
Thứ Ba, 28 tháng 2, 2012
Inside MP4-12C's new McLaren Production Centre
McLaren today opened the doors to its new McLaren Production Centre which will build the MP4-12C and all future supercars from Ron Dennis's fledgling sports car brand.
British prime minister David Cameron attended the event, hailing the economic benefits of manufacturing. He said the UK car industry was helping reshape the national economy from a service-based one enriching the minority to one which actually made things again - to the benefit of a wider slice of society. 'Even the French are sitting up and taking notice,' he joked.
What's the new McLaren Production Centre like?
As pristine as you'd expect from Ron Dennis's detail-obsessed enterprise. It's a new facility next door to the F1 team's McLaren Technology Centre. Walk along a 92m tunnel and you're plopped into a space-age laboratory, where rich confections of carbonfibre and aluminium are married over several days to create the 12C.
It's a 20,000sq m factory unlike any other car plant I've seen. The floor's so clean, you could eat your lunch off it. And you get the impression the muted silence isn't just for the VIPs - studied hard work is order of the day at Woking.
'We don't drop parts or have leaks - it's not like other car factories,' Antony Sheriff, managing director of McLaren Automotive, told CAR.
This a final assembly affair, with no components manufactured in Woking. The 12C's parts come from France (some body panels), Italy (the roof) and of course the UK (that turbocharged V8, made by Ricardo). It's like a meticulous, highly skilled giant Airfix model centre, only with six-figure prices.
How many cars do they build in Woking?
They're currently at six and a half 12Cs a day, but that's steadily ramping up. By the middle of the decade, the plan is to build 4000 cars a year here, once convertibles, top-end supercars and a cheaper sports car have been launched.
Today's event was all about spreading the message of McLaren's reach. We heard how McLaren Applied Technology had helped British Olympic cyclist Mark Cavendish save weight on his Specialized road bike. About how McLaren's electronics wing will from 2012 supply all the control systems for every F1, Indycar and Nascar team. Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button were rolled out to talk about the F1 season ('not our best,' admitted team chief Martin Whitmarsh) and they're all hoping 2012 will be more successful on track.
The McLaren way
Coming second in the championship is clearly not good enough for McLaren. Only 6% - six per cent! - of next year's F1 car is carried over from this year, and it's that sort of attention to detail which makes us think the 12C is just the beginning for McLaren Automotive.
They're clearly smarting from the launch tests of the 12C and most magazines' verdicts placing it a whisker behind its Ferrari nemesis. But with an appetite for perfection like McLaren's, I'd wager the next cars will raise the bar even further.
British prime minister David Cameron attended the event, hailing the economic benefits of manufacturing. He said the UK car industry was helping reshape the national economy from a service-based one enriching the minority to one which actually made things again - to the benefit of a wider slice of society. 'Even the French are sitting up and taking notice,' he joked.
What's the new McLaren Production Centre like?
As pristine as you'd expect from Ron Dennis's detail-obsessed enterprise. It's a new facility next door to the F1 team's McLaren Technology Centre. Walk along a 92m tunnel and you're plopped into a space-age laboratory, where rich confections of carbonfibre and aluminium are married over several days to create the 12C.
It's a 20,000sq m factory unlike any other car plant I've seen. The floor's so clean, you could eat your lunch off it. And you get the impression the muted silence isn't just for the VIPs - studied hard work is order of the day at Woking.
'We don't drop parts or have leaks - it's not like other car factories,' Antony Sheriff, managing director of McLaren Automotive, told CAR.
This a final assembly affair, with no components manufactured in Woking. The 12C's parts come from France (some body panels), Italy (the roof) and of course the UK (that turbocharged V8, made by Ricardo). It's like a meticulous, highly skilled giant Airfix model centre, only with six-figure prices.
How many cars do they build in Woking?
They're currently at six and a half 12Cs a day, but that's steadily ramping up. By the middle of the decade, the plan is to build 4000 cars a year here, once convertibles, top-end supercars and a cheaper sports car have been launched.
Today's event was all about spreading the message of McLaren's reach. We heard how McLaren Applied Technology had helped British Olympic cyclist Mark Cavendish save weight on his Specialized road bike. About how McLaren's electronics wing will from 2012 supply all the control systems for every F1, Indycar and Nascar team. Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button were rolled out to talk about the F1 season ('not our best,' admitted team chief Martin Whitmarsh) and they're all hoping 2012 will be more successful on track.
The McLaren way
Coming second in the championship is clearly not good enough for McLaren. Only 6% - six per cent! - of next year's F1 car is carried over from this year, and it's that sort of attention to detail which makes us think the 12C is just the beginning for McLaren Automotive.
They're clearly smarting from the launch tests of the 12C and most magazines' verdicts placing it a whisker behind its Ferrari nemesis. But with an appetite for perfection like McLaren's, I'd wager the next cars will raise the bar even further.
Infiniti electric sports car concept (2012) teased
Infiniti has trailed a new range-extending electric sports car concept - a long way ahead of its planned debut at the 2012 Geneva motor show.
The company already plans an electric Infiniti to piggyback the EV learnings from parent firm Nissan, whose Leaf is the first mainstream electric car built from scratch. But this new sports car will pack a range-extender system, with a petrol or diesel engine to charge the battery when charge gets low.
What else do we know about the electric Infiniti sports car?
Not a huge amount. We hear it's a mid-engined two-seater, which suggests Infiniti is about to ramp up its product offerings. So far, the models have been quite US-centric, but if the company is to achieve its ambitious growth targets it'll have to deliver cars aimed at Europe and the rest of the world too.
Sounds to us like an edgy sports car games could be just the ticket to get people to take Infiniti seriously. And press home its connection with Red Bull Racing.
These first teaser photos reveal complex form language emphasising the 'curves' obsessed over in the latest advertising communications. And that lush molten metal paint job reminds us somewhat of the Infiniti Essence concept car from 2009.
The rear of the electric Infiniti concept car looks quite Essential too...
Indeed it does, with a similar gunwhale boating feel to the as-yet-unnamed car's hips.
From these rather limited first photographs, we can see it's a sports coupe, but can tell little else about it at this stage.
Andy Palmer, executive vice president at Nissan and Infiniti, said: 'At the Geneva show next year, we will present our vision for a totally new kind of inspired premium performance car.
'Infiniti already has hybrid and clean diesel models on sale. And with an all-electric sedan on the way, the natural next step was to push the boundaries where performance and the environment intersect.'
See Palmer talking about the new electric range-extender concept car in the video below.
The company already plans an electric Infiniti to piggyback the EV learnings from parent firm Nissan, whose Leaf is the first mainstream electric car built from scratch. But this new sports car will pack a range-extender system, with a petrol or diesel engine to charge the battery when charge gets low.
What else do we know about the electric Infiniti sports car?
Not a huge amount. We hear it's a mid-engined two-seater, which suggests Infiniti is about to ramp up its product offerings. So far, the models have been quite US-centric, but if the company is to achieve its ambitious growth targets it'll have to deliver cars aimed at Europe and the rest of the world too.
Sounds to us like an edgy sports car games could be just the ticket to get people to take Infiniti seriously. And press home its connection with Red Bull Racing.
These first teaser photos reveal complex form language emphasising the 'curves' obsessed over in the latest advertising communications. And that lush molten metal paint job reminds us somewhat of the Infiniti Essence concept car from 2009.
The rear of the electric Infiniti concept car looks quite Essential too...
Indeed it does, with a similar gunwhale boating feel to the as-yet-unnamed car's hips.
From these rather limited first photographs, we can see it's a sports coupe, but can tell little else about it at this stage.
Andy Palmer, executive vice president at Nissan and Infiniti, said: 'At the Geneva show next year, we will present our vision for a totally new kind of inspired premium performance car.
'Infiniti already has hybrid and clean diesel models on sale. And with an all-electric sedan on the way, the natural next step was to push the boundaries where performance and the environment intersect.'
See Palmer talking about the new electric range-extender concept car in the video below.
Audi A1 Sportback (2012) first official pictures
Audi is expanding the A1 range with the long-anticipated five-door, the new A1 Sportback.
The five-door A1 arrives in showrooms in spring 2012. You won't mistake it -although it's the same length as the three-door A1, at 3950mm, it's 6mm taller and wider to pack in more space for heads and doors.
The wheelbase is the same, but those extra doors have a noticeable effect on the stance.
Audi's shrewdly chosen to issue first pictures of a car with the Sportback-only Samoa Orange colour scheme and optional roof graphic to differentiate it further from the three-door regular A1.
Audi A1 Sportback (2012): the lowdown
All UK-bound Sportbacks will come with five seats as standard, though you can spec a four-seat configuration for no charge. We can't really see the point, can you?
At first Brits will be offered a choice of four TFSI petrol and TDI diesel engines, with a spread of muscle stretching from 85bhp to 182bhp.
So how much more practical is the new A1 five-door?
It's a few millimetres here and there, if we're being honest. Anyone with kids will appreciate the extra pair of doors, but the 270-litre boot is identical to the three-door A1's.
UK prices for the new A1 Sportback kick off from £13,980.
The five-door A1 arrives in showrooms in spring 2012. You won't mistake it -although it's the same length as the three-door A1, at 3950mm, it's 6mm taller and wider to pack in more space for heads and doors.
The wheelbase is the same, but those extra doors have a noticeable effect on the stance.
Audi's shrewdly chosen to issue first pictures of a car with the Sportback-only Samoa Orange colour scheme and optional roof graphic to differentiate it further from the three-door regular A1.
Audi A1 Sportback (2012): the lowdown
All UK-bound Sportbacks will come with five seats as standard, though you can spec a four-seat configuration for no charge. We can't really see the point, can you?
At first Brits will be offered a choice of four TFSI petrol and TDI diesel engines, with a spread of muscle stretching from 85bhp to 182bhp.
So how much more practical is the new A1 five-door?
It's a few millimetres here and there, if we're being honest. Anyone with kids will appreciate the extra pair of doors, but the 270-litre boot is identical to the three-door A1's.
UK prices for the new A1 Sportback kick off from £13,980.
Porsche 911 Carrera Cabriolet (2012) first pics
These are the first official shots of the Porsche 911 Carrera Cabriolet, which goes on sale in March 2012.
The convertible top still looks as if it was made of soft fabric, but it actually consists of three semi-rigid lightweight panels coated with a novel furry material, which conceals the cutlines.
A fabric top layer finishes things off, and is claimed to be very soundproof, while the rear glass screen is heated and scratchproof.
So the new Porsche 911 Cabriolet is a bit of a porker?
No, this doesn’t pile on the pounds: a focus on lightweight tech – such as the use of magnesium in the hood frame, together with other strategies deployed in the 911’s aluminum and steel bodyshell – means the new Carrera Cabriolet is lighter than the car it replaces, despite a 100mm increase in wheelbase.
Inspired by the Boxster, the folded stack does without a rigid tonneau cover on the 991. Naturally, everything is powered and the roof will flop up or down in less than 20 seconds at speeds of up to around 30mph because the folding process doesn’t obscure the rear lights or numberplate. Rival cabrios – particularly folding hard-tops – often require the car to be stationary before the roof will drop.
A sunroof... on a cabrio?
There’ll also be an optional sunroof section, a so-called top-glider, that our sources suggest will either be a large tinted glass or painted aluminium panel which comes to rest on top of the roof rather than between roof and headliner. A bit like on the Mini cabrio.
As per the 991 coupe, buyers can choose from either the standard seven-speed manual transmission (yes, seven), or the optional seven-speed dual-clutch PDK gearbox. No official word yet on the four-wheel drive models, but they’ll come on stream at a later date.
If you like your 911s open but not exposed, you'll have to wait for the planned successor to the 911 Targa. We hear it's due in late 2014, and will switch to the original's removable roof panels. There may even be a 911 Speedster this time round. Although unconfirmed, it would offer a chopped-screen version ideal for those in sunnier climes.
The convertible top still looks as if it was made of soft fabric, but it actually consists of three semi-rigid lightweight panels coated with a novel furry material, which conceals the cutlines.
A fabric top layer finishes things off, and is claimed to be very soundproof, while the rear glass screen is heated and scratchproof.
So the new Porsche 911 Cabriolet is a bit of a porker?
No, this doesn’t pile on the pounds: a focus on lightweight tech – such as the use of magnesium in the hood frame, together with other strategies deployed in the 911’s aluminum and steel bodyshell – means the new Carrera Cabriolet is lighter than the car it replaces, despite a 100mm increase in wheelbase.
Inspired by the Boxster, the folded stack does without a rigid tonneau cover on the 991. Naturally, everything is powered and the roof will flop up or down in less than 20 seconds at speeds of up to around 30mph because the folding process doesn’t obscure the rear lights or numberplate. Rival cabrios – particularly folding hard-tops – often require the car to be stationary before the roof will drop.
A sunroof... on a cabrio?
There’ll also be an optional sunroof section, a so-called top-glider, that our sources suggest will either be a large tinted glass or painted aluminium panel which comes to rest on top of the roof rather than between roof and headliner. A bit like on the Mini cabrio.
As per the 991 coupe, buyers can choose from either the standard seven-speed manual transmission (yes, seven), or the optional seven-speed dual-clutch PDK gearbox. No official word yet on the four-wheel drive models, but they’ll come on stream at a later date.
If you like your 911s open but not exposed, you'll have to wait for the planned successor to the 911 Targa. We hear it's due in late 2014, and will switch to the original's removable roof panels. There may even be a 911 Speedster this time round. Although unconfirmed, it would offer a chopped-screen version ideal for those in sunnier climes.
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