India bound BMW 3 Series facelift revealed

The refreshed 3 Series gets updated looks and eighth-generation iDrive infotainment system.

Published On May 18, 2022 11:59:00 AM

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BMW has finally taken the wraps off the refreshed 3 Series line-up a few days after a bunch of images got leaked online. The updated G20 BMW 3 Series gets styling tweaks inside out along with new technology.

Updated 3 Series gets styling tweaks inside out
Gets new infotainment system
Gets curved instrument panel from the iX

BMW 3 Series facelift: exterior design tweaks

The BMW 3 Series accounts for 14 percent of the brand’s global sales and the current-gen car will be replaced by 2025. Post that, BMW will most likely usher in a similarly positioned EV saloon as the first model atop its radical new Neue Klasse architecture.

For now, the refreshed 3 Series remains mechanically unaltered to a large extent, and continues with a choice of pure petrol, diesel (now with 48V mild-hybrid functionality), and petrol-electric plug-in hybrid powertrains, depending on the market. The outputs range from 182hp in the entry-level 320i to 369hp in the warmed-up M340i, with the option of four-wheel drive.

The facelifted 3 Series sedan and Touring estate (sold overseas) get a new-look front end, which hosts slimmer LED headlights with an L-shaped Daytime Running Lamp signature, a re-sculpted grille and gloss black brake cooling vents. At the rear, it gets reshaped bumpers and colour-coded trim elements.

The M Sport cars are overtly distinguished by a distinctive hexagonal lower air intake in the front bumper and a chunky diffuser at the rear. There's a choice of new M-Performance exterior package too, including a carbon fibre rear diffuser, bespoke wheel designs of up to 20 inches in diameter, and, for the saloon, a large rear spoiler. The long wheelbase 3 Series sold in markets like India and China will also follow similar styling updates.

BMW 3 Series facelift: updated interior and tech

The 3 Series is also the latest model to get the new-look curved instrument panel that first appeared on the iX EV, hosting a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster and a 14.9-inch infotainment screen with the firm’s latest, eighth-generation iDrive interface.

The new infotainment platform brings heavily upgraded functionality, ushering in wireless smartphone mirroring, advanced real-time mapping, parking space locator, voice control for key functions and the capacity for over-the-air upgrades and updates.

As part of a wider cabin overhaul, the central air vents have been slimmed down, there are new touch-sensitive buttons on the centre console and the shifter for the standard eight-speed automatic gearbox has been redesigned, while the paddles behind the steering wheel are now standard across the line-up.

BMW 3 Series facelift: India launch details

The 3 Series is currently facing stiff competition from the recently introduced Mercedes-Benz C-Class sedan. There is no news on when the 3 Series facelift will come to our shores, but we expect BMW to introduce the refreshed 3 Series in India sometime by the end of the year or early next year.

Also See:

2019 BMW 3 Series India review, test drive

BMW 3 Series Gran Limousine review, test drive