In the world of BMW and in the local context, a new BMW 3-Series is big news. The sporting sedan is still one of the top sellers from the German marque. Just this week the new BMW 3-Series broke cover at the Paris Auto Show.

Larger

Dubbed G20, the new model has grown significantly in most directions. It is 76 mm longer at 4 709 mm, 16 mm wider (1 827 mm) and just 1 mm taller (1 442 mm) than its predecessor. More notably the new car boasts a 41-millimetre longer wheelbase (up to 2 851 mm) and increased track front and rear, by 43 mm and 21 mm, respectively.

Click here to see our exclusive spy pics of the BMW 3-Series taken in Germany.

From a stylistic point of view, the new BMW 3-Series resembles its larger brother the 5-Series in some respects. The headlamps, in particular, draw a strong link between the two sedans. In profile, there are a pair of strong character lines and a dynamic side skirt contour. Fans of the brand will notice the Hofmeister kink design cue is now integrated into the C-pillar. The taillamps are reminiscent of those found on the recently launched BMW X5.

More luxurious

The cabin has a driver-centric approach. Vital info is displayed on an interactive instrument cluster. Infotainment duties are handled by a similar, touchscreen display that features the brand’s latest 7.0 operating system.

The start/stop button for the engine is now positioned in the newly designed panel between the front seats, where the gearshift lever or newly designed selector lever is joined by the iDrive Controller and the buttons for the Driving Experience Control switch unit and parking brake.

Power options

Five engine options will be available when the new BMW 3-Series goes on sale next year. The line-up comprises a pair of four-cylinder petrol engines dubbed 320i (135 kW) and BMW 330i (190 kW).

Two four-cylinder turbodiesels with the badges 318d (110 kW) and 320d (140 kW) and a single 195 kW six-cylinder inline diesel engine in the 330d round off the range.

BMW engineers have retained their famed 50:50 mass distribution at the same time lowered the overall mass by 55 kg for each derivative over its predecessor. Careful wind tunnel tuning has resulted in a wind-cheating drag coefficient of 0,23 (for the 320d).

Performance parts

To coincide with the launch of the new BMW 3-Series, the firm has also unveiled the Performance Parts catalogue for the G20.

No fewer than ten items comprise the exterior upgrades. A front splitter or front splitter pro, the rear spoiler and rear diffuser,  exterior mirror caps, side sill rear lights tinted grey and tailpipes along with larger alloys (18 or 20 inches in diameter) are just some of the visual highlights.

Other revisions include an uprated braking system and a number of interior revisions. Among the latter are bespoke mats, a sports steering wheel and trim finished in carbon-fibre.