Auto special: BMW's latest sporty sedan hits China's market

The new BMW 3 Series hit the market on Sept 24 in Shenyang, the capital of Liaoning province and a manufacturing center of BMW in China.

As a leader in the sporty sedan segment of the global premium car family, the BMW 3 Series made its global debut of its upgraded version in May. The fresh new facelift featuring impressive and sleek design as well as improved equipment have lifted the series' competence.

BMW Brilliance President and CEO Olaf Kastner said: "The new 3 Series' sales volume grew by nearly 10 percent and has proved to be very attractive to Chinese customers. The upgraded models will at least keep up the sales pace, if not sell even faster. I am positive the car will be successful in the market and we will gain more customers."

Data showed that the Chinese premium car market expanded by more than 5 percent in the first half of this year, lower than the figure of 10 percent last year, while sales of passenger cars increased by 2.6 percent in the first eight months to 12.8 million units.

Kastner said, "The 3 Series is a car the young generation desires, because it's sporty and is a real BMW.

"We bring emotion and state-of-the-art technology together, which works well and customers are very keen to drive such a car."

The new BMW 3 Series has inherited the 40-year-old series' traditional philosophy to uphold the sporting spirit and remain committed to introducing innovative and enriched design to boost its "personality and sporty nature".

The new BMW 3 Series also hopes to bring more driving pleasure and premium quality to Chinese customers, the carmaker said.

Kastner said: "We introduced both standard and long wheelbase versions. Now, around 70 percent of the cars sold are long wheelbase versions. It shows that the customers have fully accepted and embraced the concept. It has a bit more room for family, for friends."

To date, sales of the sixth generation of the BMW 3 Series has doubled the sales of the fourth and fifth generations combined in China. Last year, the BMW 3 Series hit a historical record of 100,000 sales in China, "a remarkable achievement", Kastner noted.

Twelve years ago, the BMW 3 Series' production in Liaoning province kicked off a new chapter of the carmakers' localization in China. In 2012, the company took the lead in China to promote its long wheelbase strategy, which is only offered to Chinese customers.

This year marks the 40th anniversary of the BMW 3 Series. The BMW 3 Series is a success story of the carmaker's localization strategy. More than 14 million of the new BMW 3 Series models have been rolled out on production lines around the world.

The new BMW 3 Series is targeting the needs of Chinese customers and the company is trying its best to meet their demands for the brand.

The six generations of the BMW 3 Series have taken the lead in their segment after the series' birth in 1975, while the new upgraded version released this year boasts excellent driving capacity, top flexibility as well as luxurious comfort.

Fashionable design

The new BMW 3 Series offers a balance of class-leading dynamism with a sporty edge. The sporty design coupled with new LED lights with state-of-the-art technology delivers a more dynamic exterior aesthetic.

The new BMW 3 Series sedan maintains the design traditions and features of the BMW brand. The elegant exterior creates the effect of coming from a single mold and conveys the model's aesthetics and dynamics at first sight.

Combined with the headlights, the striking BMW kidney grille forms a harmonious unit and follows on from the front design of earlier models, emphasizing the breadth and sporting character of the vehicle.

The new BMW 3 Series also boasts a streamlined design, cutting-edge LED rear lights as well as a new bumper.

Ten colors are available, including four new additions of mineral white, chestnut brown, Burgundy red and a unique Estoril blue only provided for the M sport package under the new BMW 3 Series.

The upgraded light-alloy wheels enhance the model's attractiveness, according to the automaker.

The 320i and 320Li is equipped with 17-inch light-alloy wheels while the new 320i M has added another inch to hit the 18-inch mark. The M Sport package is based on the athleticism of the new BMW 3 Series sedan with sporty lines and turns to the BMW M3 for its appearance.

Its dynamic character is emphasized by the exclusive M Sport body color of Estoril Blue metallic, a special aerodynamics package with numerous body components, chromium exhaust pipe finishers and modified suspension settings.

Front and rear bumpers, sill covers in the body color and a striking diffuser insert in dark shadow metallic on the rear underline the sporting character of the M Sport package, according to the automaker.

Extended ascending lines stretch the vehicle optically, giving it enhanced dynamic character. In this way, the forward-striving front end transforms into the bonnet in one striking move.

As a result, the vehicle appears as if in motion and very agile. Precise contours delineate firm surfaces, which have always been characteristics of the iconic compact sports sedan.

The flowing transition from the curving roof line to the flat standing rear window lend the vehicle a coup-like appearance and a sporting elegant lightness.

Cutting-edge tech

The cars are powered by a powerful 4-cylinder BMW TwinPower Turbo engine and an 8-speed automatic transmission that provides reduced fuel consumption and CO2 emissions without compromising on performance.

The new BMW 3 Series integrated the Internet-connected driving technology applications in the lineup.

The 320i and 320Li Lifestyle Editions come equipped with BMW's commercial navigation and standard BMW ConnectedDrive Standard Package, including basic services, such as TeleServices, Intelligent emergency calling, and Remote Services.

The 320i M Sport Package and 320Li Luxury Line are not only equipped with an 8.8-inch central LCD screen, but also offer customers standard and enriched Internet-connected driving packages, the BMW ConnectedDrive Premium Package. Other services include Real Time Traffic Information and Concierge Services.

Demonstrating the carmaker's confidence and sincerity, it has pledged 10 years of free use of the basic ConnectedDrive service. Customers could also visit online BMW ConnectedDrive Store for tailored-made services.

The new BMW 3 Series now includes BMW infotainment features and other BMW technologies like an ECO PRO Mode with coasting function to maximize efficiency.

This new BMW 3 Series offers the kind of unrivaled driving experience you would expect from the BMW 3 Series with the versatility of the Lifestyle Editions, M Sport Package and Luxury Line to choose from.

The optional Harman Kardon Surround Sound System offers perfect three-dimensional sound in the new BMW 3 Series and opens up a whole world of listening experiences.

Contact the writers at yangcheng@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily 09/28/2015 page19)