BMW launches all new 3 series

By Joshua Nicholas

Prestige Automobile (Pvt) Ltd. (PA) yesterday announced the arrival of the all new BMW 3 series. The sixth generation of the world’s best-selling premium car will be available in two variants; BMW 320i and BMW 328i.

Since its launch in 1975, every third car sold by BMW has been a 3 series. More than 12 million people in 130 countries have purchased one of the 3 series variants, which include a Sedan, Coupe, Convertible, Touring, M Model and Compact.

PA Director and General Manager Gehan Siribaddana said: “Sri Lanka’s motor industry is developing into maturity after a few lean years. The motor industry in Sri Lanka has always had its ups and downs, but it cannot be kept down.”

In the last two years the Sri Lanka’s motor industry has been on the rise, with a corresponding explosion in appetites for BMWs.

Sales of BMWs increased by more than 1,600% in the last two years, from 44 cars sold in 2010 to more than 700 sold in 2011.

“With the increase in volumes and the increase in sales, Prestige Automobiles has also gone in for a major investment, particularly on the service side by increasing workshop capacity,” said PA Chairman and Managing Director Heinz Reuter. The sixth generation of the 3 series is wider and features a longer wheelbase, benefiting rear passengers in particular.

According to BMW Group Asia Managing Director Neil Fiorentinos, the consumption, CO2 output, leg room and performance of the 3 series is best in its class.

In Sri Lanka, the BMW 3 series sedan will be available in three lines: Sport, Luxury and Modern.

“In terms of value, design coherence and expressiveness, the new BMW lines go far beyond existing packages in the premium class,” according to BMW. The BMW 320i features a 1,997 cc four-cylinder engine that produces 184 horsepower and can reach 100kmph in 7.6 seconds with a top speed of 235kmph. It has an average fuel consumption of 5.9 litres for 100km and produces 138 grams of CO2 per kilometre.

The BMW 328i also features a 1,997 four-cylinder engine, but produces 245 horsepower and can reach 100kmph in 6.1 seconds with a top speed of 250kmph. It has an average fuel consumption of 6.3 litres per 100km and produces 147 grams of CO2 per kilometre.

The initial two 3 series models will not be offered in diesel; however diesel variants will be available in time to come. “We have a global approach where it comes to vehicle assembly,” said Fiorentinos, who claims the 3 series in Sri Lanka will mostly be assembled in either Munich or South Africa.

BMW’s M products generally follow the sedan launch by about 18 months, so the new M3 can be expected around the second quarter of 2014, according to Fiorentinos, who also expects a hybrid 3 series to be released at a later stage.

Siribaddana said the new BMW 1 series would shortly be introduced to the Sri Lankan market and would be followed by a hybrid version of the x6.