2022 BMW 3 Series Unveiled
A few days after a slew of pictures leaked online, BMW has finally unveiled the updated 3 Series lineup. Inside and out, the redesigned G20 BMW 3 Series receives stylistic changes as well as new technology.
The 2022 BMW 3 Series accounts for 14% of the company’s global sales, and the current model will be phased out by 2025. Following that, BMW is expected to introduce a similarly positioned EV saloon as the first vehicle based on its radical new Neue Klasse architecture.
For the time being, the updated 3 Series has largely remained technically unchanged, and it continues to offer pure petrol, diesel (now with 48V mild-hybrid capabilities), and petrol-electric plug-in hybrid powertrains, depending on the market. The outputs range from 182 horsepower in the entry-level 320i to 369 horsepower in the warmed-up M340i, with four-wheel drive as an option.
Slimmer LED headlights with an L-shaped Daytime Running Lamp trademark, a re-sculpted grille, and gloss black brake cooling vents are featured on the facelifted 3 Series sedan and Touring estate (sold worldwide). It gets redesigned bumpers and colour-coded trim components at the back.
A characteristic hexagonal lower air inlet in the front bumper and a massive diffuser at the back characterise the M Sport cars. There’s also a new M-Performance exterior kit available, which includes a carbon fibre rear diffuser, unique wheel designs up to 20 inches in diameter, and a big rear spoiler for the saloon. Similar aesthetic improvements will be made to the long-wheelbase 3 Series marketed in India and China.
The 2022 BMW 3 Series also features a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster and a 14.9-inch infotainment screen with BMW’s latest, eighth-generation iDrive interface, which debuted on the iX EV.
Wireless smartphone mirroring, sophisticated real-time mapping, parking space locator, voice control for essential tasks, and the ability for over-the-air upgrades and updates are all included in the new infotainment platform.
The central air vents have been slimmed down, new touch-sensitive buttons have been added to the centre console, and the shifter for the standard eight-speed automatic gearbox has been redesigned, while paddles behind the steering wheel are now standard across the lineup as part of a larger cabin overhaul.
The 2022 BMW 3 Series is presently up against the Mercedes-Benz C-Class sedan, which was recently released. There’s no word on when the 3 Series facelift will arrive in India, but we expect BMW to unveil the revamped 3 Series by the end of the year or early next year.
