BMW has added a petrol variant of the updated 3-series to its model line-up following the car’s launch in January this year. While the carmaker's 3-series diesel can be sold in Delhi, thanks to an engine under 2 litres, the uncertainty around diesel is perhaps the reason for this reintroduction. Launched as a CBU (unlike the diesel car that is locally assembled), the new 3-series petrol, badged 320i, is available in two trim levels with prices starting at Rs 36.90 lakh for the entry-level Prestige trim and Rs 42.70 lakh for the top Luxury Line variant. (All prices ex-showroom, Delhi)
The 320i comes with a 2.0-litre TwinPower Turbo four-cylinder petrol motor that pumps out 184hp and 270Nm of torque. The engine is paired to an eight-speed automatic gearbox as standard, while the Luxury Line variant gets the addition of paddle shifters. BMW claims a 0-100kph sprint time of 7.3 seconds, similar to the diesel sibling.
Standard features on the 320i include LED headlamps, heated wing mirrors with memory function, dual-zone climate control, ambient lighting, electric adjust front seats with memory, BMW iDrive system with a 6.5-inch screen bundled with BMW Apps and four drive modes. It gets 16-inch alloy wheels.
The Luxury Line furthermore gets a choice of upholstery, a fifth Sport+ drive mode, a larger 8.8-inch iDrive touch infotainment system with handwriting recognition and navigation, an electric sunroof, a 205W audio system and 17-inch alloy wheels.
Like its diesel sibling, the 320i gets variant-specific details, with the Luxury Line trim getting more chrome bits on the interiors and the exterior.
BMW has aggressively positioned its new petrol luxury sedan with pricing that's lower than that of rivals. The Mercedes C200 is restricted to a single variant, the C200 Avantgarde (Rs 38.9 lakh), and the Jaguar XE has two trims – Pure (Rs 39.9 lakh) and a the fully loaded Portfolio (Rs 47.9 lakh)
With this new pricing, BMW aims to regain a share of the petrol luxury sedan market, a segment it vacated a while ago when it stopped sales of the petrol 3-series in its prefacelifted guise. BMW also seems to be working on introducing a petrol 5-series with the car’s brochure available on the company’s website.
The petrol 5-series, badged the 520i, will be powered by the same 184hp 2.0-litre TwinPower turbo-petrol motor and will be available in one fully loaded Luxury Line trim. The 5-series will get features such as a 10.2-inch touchscreen iDrive system, a 600W Harman Kardon audio system and adaptive LED headlamps to name a few. BMW is expected to reveal prices for the petrol 5-series soon.
When introduced, the 520i will rival the likes of the Audi A6 35TFSI and the Mercedes E200.