There will be a wide range of engine options, from the 136-hp 312d to the 380hp M340i.
As BMW finishes the final touches to the sixth-generation 3Serie, the curtain will soon fall on its highly-acclaimed sedan. The 3er is expected to make its debut at the Paris Motor Show in October. It will be on sale in approximately one year.
Sources close to BMW told Spanish magazine Motor.es that the entry point in the gasoline-fed engine lineup is represented by the 318i, which has 150 horsepower and a 14-hp increase over the current model. The new 318i will be available with either a 6-speed manual or optional eight-speed auto, and it will only come with rear-wheel drive.
The 320i will offer more power, with 204 horsepower. It also offers buyers the choice of either rear-wheel or all-wheel drive, as well as both gearboxes. It will be 20 horsepower more powerful than the 320i. The 320i Efficient Dynamic version, a low-cost model with 170-hp and RWD, seems to be on the horizon. It includes both the manual as well as the auto.
The 330i is available only with the automatic gearbox. It will increase from 252 horsepower to 265 horsepower delivered to the rear wheels, or both front and back axles.
Temporary range topper (until M3’s arrival will be the M340i as an automatic- and xDrive only model providing 380 horsepower, which would be a huge increase over the 326-hp M340i.
The diesel side starts with the 316d, which has 136 horsepower (20 more than before). It is channeled to either the manual or auto at the rear wheels and channels it via the manual or the automatic. Next is the 318d, rated at 163 horsepower (+13 hp), and available with the same transmissions as the RWD-only model. The 320d with its 204 horsepower will be your best choice if you are looking for a diesel-powered 3 Series. The new car will be 14 horsepower more powerful than the current model and it will come with an automatic and a manual transmission.
The 325d, 330d and 330d will be hotter diesels. They can be equipped with AWD or RWD, and an automatic-only option. The first will produce 238 horsepower (up to 14 hp), while the latter will produce 265 horsepower (up to 7 hp).
The M340d, the crown jewel of the diesel 3 Series family, will produce between 320 to 340 horsepower and be sent to both axles via an 8-speed automatic. It will replace the 335d with its 313-hp output.
These numbers aren’t official at the moment and could change. The 325e, 330e, and 330e are both automatic xDrive plug in hybrids. These semi-electrified 3 Series models will be able to boast 230 horsepower and 265 horsepower, respectively.
Below is a table that contains all yet-to be confirmed technical specifications:
BMW 3 Series Model |
Power (in PSP) |
Gearboxes |
Traction |
|---|---|---|---|
| 316d | 136 | 6-speed manual, 8 speed auto | RWD |
| 318d | 163 | 6-speed manual, 8 speed auto | RWD |
| 320d | 204 | 6-speed manual, 8 speed auto | RWD/xDrive |
| 325d | 238 | Auto 8-speed | RWD/xDrive |
| 330d | 265 | Auto 8-speed | RWD/xDrive |
| M340d | 320-340 | Auto 8-speed | xDrive |
| 325e iPerformance | 230 | Auto 8-speed | xDrive |
| 330e iPerformance | 265 | Auto 8-speed | xDrive |
| 318i | 150 | 6-speed manual, 8 speed auto | RWD |
| 320i | 204 | 6-speed manual, 8 speed auto | RWD/xDrive |
| 320i Efficient Dynamics | 170 | 6-speed manual, 8 speed auto | RWD |
| 330i | 265 | Auto 8-speed | RWD/xDrive |
| M340i | 380 | Auto 8-speed | xDrive |