2012 BMW 3 Series revealed
BMW LONDON 

The sixth-generation BMW 3 Series made its world debut Friday, one of the most important new-car reveals of the year.

Here's what we know about the benchmark car: the new car is 50 mm longer and also wider, 37 mm at the front and 47 mm wider at the back. A new body is 40 kg lighter.

All four engine choices are now turbocharged. The 328i will get a 245 hp, 258-lb.-ft. four cylinder, while the 320i gets a 184-hp version of the four. The 335i keeps the inline six-cylinder turbo at 306 hp and will be able to run from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.5 seconds, 0.1 seconds quicker than its predecessor. The diesel expected in Canada in the 320d will produce 184 hp and 280 lb.-ft of torque while returning an average 4.1 L/100km — hybrid territory.

Auto Start-Stop function comes as standard with all engine-gearbox combinations. An eight-speed automatic gearbox is available for all models, though a six-speed manual is standard equipment. In addition to BMW's entry level trim, there is a Sport, Luxury and Modern line. An M package is planned for summer 2012.

BMW has stiffened the body, fine tuned the five-link rear chassis, and used aluminum struts and wishbones up front. An electromechanical power steering system is, BMW says, as accurate as before.

Standard equipment includes air-conditioning, Bluetooth, a 6.5-inch colour screen with iDrive, keyless starting, USB, multi-function steering wheel, cruise control, power windows and locks. A full-colour Head-Up display, as well as a host of other safety features such as lane-change warning will be available.

The new BMW 3 Series will make its public debut at the Detroit motor show in January 2012.

Source: Montreal Gazette