BMW's All-New 2019 3-Series (G20) Gets High Tech Makeover
BMW seems acutely aware of the criticism some have had for the more recent 3 Series iterations, so it's gone and retooled the sedan, giving it a bigger design, making it more tech savvy, and a punchier look. Or as BMW puts it, the 2019 model 3 Series "takes the signature characteristics of a BMW and turns the volume up several notches."
The dial has quite been turned up to 11, though certainly the latest 3 Series is a bolder, more aggressive representation of the sporty sedan. It has T-shaped air intakes in front of both wheel wells, sleeker looking twin LED headlights, a "kidney grille" with a single surround for the two elements, slim L-shaped 3D rear lights, and a twin-pipe exhaust system.
"New interpretation of the familiar BMW sports sedan look uses the brand’s new design language. Clear lines and taut surfaces showcase the car’s modern aesthetic, sportiness and emotion-packed presence. Advantage, Sport Line, Luxury Line and M Sport models enable precise individualization," BMW says.
It's not all about the aesthetics, either. BMW is claiming optimized aerodynamics with a lower drag coefficient (0.23, down from 0.26 on the BMW 320d), sharper driving dynamics, and a 50 percent increase in body rigidity. BMW also notes new shock absorber technology to soak up those bumps in the road.
Most of the new and updated features are visible from a 360-degree tour of the exterior, though one of the biggest changes is underneath the hood. Drivers in North America will no longer find a manual transmission option on the 330i, the sole 3 Series model available to them. Instead, it ships with an eight-gear automatic gearbox, alongside a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 255 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. It has a top speed of 155 miles per hour, and can go from 0-62 MPH in 5.8 seconds.
On the inside, drivers will find a 5.7-inch digital instrument screen and 8.8-inch infortainment display, both standard. BMW offers the option of upgrading to a 12.3-inch instrument screen and 10.25-inch infotainment system. Technological wonders also include assisted parking, remote software upgrades, and a digital key.
Look for the 2019 BMW 330i to go on sale in March starting at $41,195. All-wheel drive versions will run a little higher, starting at $43,245.
