The sixth generation of the BMW 3 Series consists of the BMW F30 (sedan version), BMW F31 (wagon version, marketed as 'Touring') and BMW F34 (fastback version, marketed as 'Gran Turismo') compact executive cars. The F30/F31/F34 generation was produced from October 2011 to 2019 and is often collectively referred to as the F30.
For the sixth generation, the coupé and convertible models were spun off to create the new BMW 4 Series nameplate. BMW also introduced a separate hatchback model under the 3 Series nameplate called the 3 Series Gran Turismo (F34), similar to the 5 Series Gran Turismo.
The F30 is the first generation of the 3 Series to be powered by a range of turbocharged engines exclusively and electric power steering (replacing the hydraulic power steering systems used previously).[4] The F30 also marked the 3 Series' first use of a three-cylinder engine in its 2015 facelift. A new plug-in hybrid F30 model was also introduced in 2016.[5] A long-wheelbase sedan version (model code F35) was sold in China.
The M3 model (designated F80) was introduced in 2014 and is powered by the S55 twin-turbocharged straight-six engine.
In March 2019, the BMW 3 Series (G20) was released as the successor to the F30.[6] The F34 Gran Turismo fastback model continued to be available until early 2020,[7] and was replaced by the BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé (G26) in June 2021.
Development and launch
The exterior designer for the F30 sedan was Christopher Weil[8] and exterior designer for the F31 Touring was Michael de Bono.[9]
The F30 was unveiled in Munich on 14 October 2011,[10] with market launch and first customer deliveries on 11 February 2012.[11]
Body styles
Sedan (F30)
The F30 sedan debuted at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show in March 2012[12] and was the first of the sixth generation 3 Series models to go on sale.[13] Early models included the 328i and 335i and (post LCI) later models included the 330i and 340i. The 320i, 318d, and 316d models were added to the F30 range in March 2012.[14] The 320i EfficientDynamics Edition and 316i were added in autumn of 2012.[15]
In the United States, the arrival of the four-cylinder models marked the first time a 3 Series was sold with a four-cylinder petrol engine, since the E36 318i of the late 1990s.[16]
Exterior styling
The F30/F31 has grown in all dimensions compared to its predecessor.[34] The styling is similar to previous generations with a sweeping bonnet, short front overhang, and long wheelbase. Headlamps now connect to a wide kidney grill. Tail lamps also sport a wide "L" shape design seen in many BMW models.
In some markets, in addition to the base and M Sport models, three 'trim lines' were available for this generation: Modern Line, Sport Line and Luxury Line.[35] These lines form the base packages upon which extra options could be specified. The Modern Line was discontinued after the 2014 model year, due to low sales.
Luxury Line
Interior and equipment
In the sedan models, the rear headroom, leg room and shoulder room increased compared with their E90 predecessors.[36]
Options include heated front seats, split-fold rear seats, satellite navigation and a widescreen display in the centre console.[37][38][39] The Bluetooth that's built-in into the car now supports audio streaming. The traditional mechanical shift lever was replaced by a shift by wire shifter (first used by BMW in the 2007 E70 X5).[40]
M Performance Parts can be fitted to all models with the M Sport trim. These include sport brakes for 18 inch and higher wheels, side skirt ground effects, black kidney grilles and carbon fibre mirrors.
Engines
The petrol models initially used the turbocharged 4-cylinder N13, 4-cylinder N20 and 6-cylinder N55 engines. This meant that the 328i models (traditionally powered by naturally-aspirated 6-cylinder engines) now used the turbocharged 4-cylinder N20 engine.[41] For the 2016 facelift (LCI), the engines were updated to the 3-cylinder B38, the 4-cylinder B48 and the 6-cylinder B58.
The diesel models initially used the 4-cylinder N47 and 6-cylinder N57 turbocharged engines. For the 2016 facelift, the 4-cylinder models were updated to the B47 engine, while the 6-cylinder models retained the N57 engine.
Petrol
Diesel
Hybrid
Transmissions
The available transmissions are:
M3 models
The M3 models based on the F30 3 Series were introduced in 2014. Designated F80 for the M3 (sedan) alongside F82 for the M4 (coupe), it is the first time an M3 has used a separate model code, and the first time an M coupe was designated M4. They are powered by the S55 twin-turbocharged straight-six engine. Production of the M3 ended in 2020.[47] The F80 M3 was succeeded by the G80 M3.
Special models
ActiveHybrid 3
Based on the 335i Sedan, the ActiveHybrid 3 includes a 40 kW synchronous electric motor, bringing the total system output to 250 kW,[48] with a lithium-ion battery positioned underneath the luggage area and a 2-zone climate control system with stationary air conditioning. The electric motor generates 210 Nm of torque. The maximum all-electric driving range is 4 km, with a top speed of 75 kph.[49][50]
The BMW ActiveHybrid 3 was unveiled at the North American International Auto Show in January 2012.[51]
The US EPA rated the 2013 ActiveHybrid 3 with a combined fuel economy of 28 mpgUS, with 25 mpgUS in the city, and 33 mpgUS on the highway.
Alpina version
The Alpina B3 (F30) was based on the F30 3 Series, and was produced between 2013 and 2019.
Model year changes
2013
- All-wheel drive became available for the wagon body style in the 320i, 328i and 335i models.
2014
- 328d is the first four-cylinder diesel BMW to be sold in the United States.[57] The built in iDrive infotainment system software was also redesigned with new navigation and connectivity features.
2015 Facelift (LCI)
The facelift ("Life Cycle Impulse") versions were released in 2015 for the 2016 model year.[58][59]
Safety
ANCAP
Euro NCAP
IIHS
NHTSA
ASEAN NCAP
Marketing
The BMW 320d Efficient Dynamics was the most widely used vehicle in the London 2012 Olympics due to BMW's official partnership.[71]
Production
Production of F30 generation began with the sedan body style on 28 October 2011.[72][73] Production ended in 2019 with the end of F31 Touring production in June.[74][75]
The sedan and wagon models were produced in Germany (Munich and Regensburg), South Africa (Rosslyn, up until 2018),[76] India (Chennai),[77] China (Shenyang)[78]
Sales
The following are the sales of the 3 Series, according to BMW's annual reports:[85]
See also
References
- BMW Group Annual Report 2019 retrieved 17 March 2021^
- BMW X1 sDrive18i JOY IS NOW Bangkok Post, 2011-02-15^
- Giorgio Carlisi. Competitive Landscape Strategic Passenger Vehicles Architectures Benchmark