Summarize

40 years down the line and with over 15 million units sold worldwide, the heartbeat of the brand's seventh-generation BMW 3 Series is now available in South Africa and after a couple of days in the saddle on SA’s finest roads, I can vouch for it — the new 3 Series raises the mid executive bar with exceptional driving dynamics, premium quality and latest innovation.

Now imported after decades of local manufacture since Plant Rosslyn switched to building X3s, the new model hails from BMW’s home plant in Munich, China and Mexico. 76mm longer, 16mm wider a millimetre taller, new 3 rides on a 41-millimetre longer wheelbase with increased 43mm front and 31mm wider track widths in a stiffer new chassis that brings a 55kg weight reduction in a 50-50 distribution at a lower centre of gravity with optimised 0,23 Cd aerodynamics for a direct for positive influence on poise and agility.

A simplified new 3-series range has only two new four-cylinder engine options at launch, but don't be fooled — both of them take their genre to a new level. The 190kW two-litre petrol 330i and 140kW BMW 320d will be joined by a 135kW 4-pot 320i and the 195kW straight six 330d in due course, while the M340i x-drive is also on the cards and the 330e plug-in hybrid is under consideration. Both launch models turn BMW’s latest 8-speed autobox re-fettled to best suit the torque characteristics of the new engines and drive the rear wheels.

Immediately noticeable is how well-matched the new engines are to the revised autobox. The cars - the diesel in particular - trundle along in the highest ratios at the slowest speeds. Accelerate gently and it pulls strong without dropping a gear with an elasticity you'd expect from a big-block V8 in the lightest of chassis, but with the advantage of city car fuel economy. Mash the pedal to the floor and the box reacts with alacrity to deliver the sportiest of responses. Impressive indeed.

Both standard and optional M Sport suspension are defined by new lift-related dampers and latest generation variable sport steering for a fine balance between sportiness and comfort through continuously variable control for reduced body movement, especially on bumpy road surfaces and in dynamic cornering, while optional Adaptive M suspension brings electronically controlled dampers. New Three can be specced with four-piston fixed calliper M Sport brakes up front and an M Sport differential for the 330s in conjunction with the M Sport suspension or Adaptive M suspension. 

The new Three is poised, balanced and precise on the road — pressed hard on my backyard Franschhoek Pass, it responds to driver inputs brilliantly, retains its poise to the limit of tyre traction and reports well enough everything you want to know through the steering - the diesel especially once again creamy and consummate on its repertoire. Cruising on the open road, the 3 Series alter-ego is serene, plush and supremely comfortable. This new 3 Series is a brilliantly balanced and highly talented car.

Now boasting an individual 3 Series style with a large BMW kidney grille and dominant standard 530m range Laserlight non-dazzling high beam Full Adaptive LED headlights, its design is sharper yet softer on the eye, while the cabin boasts a clear arrangement of surfaces to accentuate spaciousness while focusing on the driver to enhance his or her driving experience. 

Controls are clustered with a high tech new fully digital next-generation instrument panel and displays and controls sensibly and ergonomically presented in a smart, high quality environment.

Extended shoulder and elbow room in the front seats and additional legroom, seat comfort and ease of entry and exit all contribute to the generous feeling of space in the interior, a 480-litre boot with a 40:20:40 split-folding rear backrest are standard and automatic boot lid and a retractable tow hitch are optional, as is latest spec Comfort Access with a new sensor system complete with a hands-free boot lid.

New Three Series brings new level 2 automated driving featuring Lane Departure, Collision and Pedestrian Warnings with City Braking and cyclist detection, while options include Active Cruise Control with Stop & Go, Driving Assistant with Lane Change Warning, Rear Collision Prevention and Cross-Traffic Alert. 

Driving Assistant Professional brings a complete comfort and safety package with Steering and lane control assistant, while new-generation Head-Up Display offers a larger projection surface, new graphics and additional display content. In essence 3 Series can drive hands free on properly marked roads, but the system is currently geared to slow the car, pull over and stop if the driver fails to respond and will even call for assistance if there is still no reaction. Eerie indeed!

The new BMW Operating System 7.0 plays takes car and driver interface to a new level through the optional BMW Live Cockpit Professional fully-digital 12.3-inch instrument cluster and 10.25-inch Control Display controlled by all of touch, iDrive Controller, steering wheel button, gesture and voice control. The all-new BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant responds to the prompt “Hey BMW” and runs on a Siri-like conversational logic covering all aspects of the car and much more too. We found the Hey BMW was a little too sensitive at first as she joined in our conversations, but set to respond to the steering wheel mic button, she worked a peach.

Available in Sport Line and M Sport equipment lines for targeted individualisation refined by the likes of newly designed steering wheels, optional Vernasca and BMW Individual Merino leather trim, an instrument panel in Sensatec and a leather-covered BMW Individual instrument panel, plus three-zone automatic climate control, auxiliary heating and the optional telephony with wireless charging among the options, while an optional glass roof has a 100-millimetre longer transparent surface and the optional ambient lighting brings rich illumination, while the Harman Kardon surround sound system delivers exceptional sound.

Both the new BMW 330i and 320i are covered by the regular BMW 5-year Motorplan and both retail for R649K, while the special limited edition Sport Line Launch Edition will go for R664K and the M Sport Launch Edition will cost R684K while stocks last. I preferred the diesel, but that's just me - its a little more user friendly, easier to drive and responsive, while the petrol is more involving and more pointed as a driver's car - horses for courses I suppose - choose your weapon!