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According to a media report, BMW is likely to launch the
seventh generation 3-Series in India around July 2019.
The
2019 BMW 3-Series was unveiled at the Paris Motor Show earlier this year. It is based on BMW's Cluster Architecture (CLAR), which is shared with the new 5-Series and 7-Series. It is longer, wider and taller than the outgoing model and has a longer wheelbase as well.
The new 3-Series gets a slimmer twin-kidney grille flanked by redesigned twin-pod LED headlights and a new front bumper. At the rear, it has slim L-shaped tail lights and dual exhausts. The new model comes with a revised dashboard with an 8.8 / 10.25-inch infotainment screen and a digital instrument cluster.
In India, the current 3-Series is available with a choice of two engines - 188 BHP 2.0-litre, 4-cylinder diesel and 248 BHP 2.0-litre, 4-cylinder petrol. There is no word yet on the engines that will be offered on the upcoming model.
Source:
Autocar India Link to Team-BHP News
Apparently dealers are already taking bookings, 8 months in advance! Maybe the launch is sooner than July?
The 3 series is constantly cannablizied by the 5’s heavy discount. Even currently discounts on the 5 are up to 10 lakhs off! I hope they figure out the pricing strategy better this time.
The mid Size Germany luxury segment have all gone up over the years to make room for smaller luxury models like the CLA and A3. This was a bad move IMO, the smaller models barely sell and instead compel the mid segment one to get cannablized by its larger sibling. I bet if they start correcting prices and let the A3 and CLA get cannablized by the A4 and C-class, they would sell more in the segment.
In 2001 the C-class costed 25 lakhs and by 2011 it costed 10 lakhs more, whereas the 5 series costed 50 lakhs in 2007 and even a decade later it costs as much or less after discounts. A price correction is long overdue to save the mid size luxury segment
Gosh, the replacement couldn't be coming any time too soon. The F30 3-Series feels so old by current standards. Park it next to the C-Class and it simply has no "wow" factor left.
But before bringing such an important car in, BMW India needs a strong boss first. I guess Vikram Pahwa has moved on to BMW Australia & NZ. The company is currently headless.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sahil
(Post 4510344)
the smaller models barely sell and instead compel the mid segment one to get cannablized by its larger sibling. I bet if they start correcting prices and let the A3 and CLA get cannablized by the A4 and C-class, they would sell more in the segment. In 2001 the C-class costed 25 lakhs and by 2011 it costed 10 lakhs more, whereas the 5 series costed 50 lakhs in 2007 and even a decade later it costs as much or less after discounts. A price correction is long overdue to save the mid size luxury segment
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Amazing comment - thanks! I learn something new everyday on Team-BHP. Another thing that slaughtered the sedans is the market's fascination with Crossovers & SUVs.
Quote:
Originally Posted by GTO
(Post 4510426)
The F30 3-Series feels so old by current standards. Park it next to the C-Class and it simply has no "wow" factor left.
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While the 3 has been overshadowed in the looks department by the recently face lifted C, it's the completely new engines in the C that are even more of a threat. The new engine in the C220d is as fast as the outgoing C250d and much faster in roll on acceleration. As if that weren't enough, the C's handle far better than the, in comparison, stodgy 3's.
And they still have the C300d to spare!
While the engine in the 3 maybe good, it's lost on that car. After all this you would still forgive BMW for being lazy and incompetent with the 3 when you take a look at what they've done with the M2 competition. But that's a different story.
Incidentally Vikram Pahwa still heads BMW India:
Link
BMW need to get 6 cyl options with this generation, the M340i would be the perfect answer to the c43 AMG & similarly the 330d would be ideal to pit against the C300d. With the current relaxation in homologation norms, BMW should take more risks :)
As a F30 328i owner i would love to upgrade to the g20 with the above engine options as the next gen M3/4 will again be too expensive :Frustrati
First driving impression of the G20 BMW M340i xDrive is out and it promises a scintillating driving experience.
The car was a pre-production, camouflaged M340i prototype and was driven on the technical and challenging Autodromo Portimão track in Algarve, Portugal.
Full details here:
https://www.bmwblog.com/2018/12/11/f...-shy-of-an-m3/
Lat paragraph sums up the initial driving impression:
"Overall, the M340i xDrive is on another level when compared to the outgoing 340i. It is much closer to a full M product than to a standard 3 Series, finally filling that gap. The steering feedback will be sufficient for most drivers, the suspension options will also appease many different types of customers, and the engine is superb. The technology and the long list of options and standard features is also quite impressive, with a little bit of everything for everyone."
Time to start saving. This may be the last straight six that we'll be able to buy...
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sahil
(Post 4510344)
Apparently dealers are already taking bookings, 8 months in advance! Maybe the launch is sooner than July?
The 3 series is constantly cannablizied by the 5’s heavy discount. Even currently discounts on the 5 are up to 10 lakhs off! I hope they figure out the pricing strategy better this time.
The mid Size Germany luxury segment have all gone up over the years to make room for smaller luxury models like the CLA and A3. This was a bad move IMO, the smaller models barely sell and instead compel the mid segment one to get cannablized by its larger sibling. I bet if they start correcting prices and let the A3 and CLA get cannablized by the A4 and C-class, they would sell more in the segment.
In 2001 the C-class costed 25 lakhs and by 2011 it costed 10 lakhs more, whereas the 5 series costed 50 lakhs in 2007 and even a decade later it costs as much or less after discounts. A price correction is long overdue to save the mid size luxury segment
|
Interestingly a few segments have moved up significantly in their price range while others have remained put. In 2003 we brought home the Toyota Corolla for about 10.50 lakhs. Today even the Altis base model costs about 20L in Bangalore! Same with Skoda Octavia I ---> Laura ---->Octavia III. Cars like the Swift have more or less remained where they were just like the 5 Series segment. It is these mid range cars that have moved up with auto makers wanting to create sub segments. If you compare the 3 series/ C Class pricing with the likes of Jetta/ Octavia/ Corolla, the price differential has remained pretty much constant.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sahil
(Post 4510344)
The mid Size Germany luxury segment have all gone up over the years to make room for smaller luxury models like the CLA and A3. This was a bad move IMO, the smaller models barely sell and instead compel the mid segment one to get cannablized by its larger sibling. I bet if they start correcting prices and let the A3 and CLA get cannablized by the A4 and C-class, they would sell more in the segment.
In 2001 the C-class costed 25 lakhs and by 2011 it costed 10 lakhs more, whereas the 5 series costed 50 lakhs in 2007 and even a decade later it costs as much or less after discounts. A price correction is long overdue to save the mid size luxury segment
|
Exactly my thoughts.
The 3 and C are so overpriced for what they offer, recently, I was toying with the idea of getting the 330i as a replacement for the Laura TSi but in spite of being an outgoing model and year-end, the prices are above 40L! And I see no point in that. The 3 series just doesn't feel worth 40L. I got trolled for mentioning this on a whatsapp group where some people think that BMW is divine and it's a sin to compare a BMW with a Skoda (and RWD with FWD) :) but I never get bogged down by such dogma. At 13.75L on-road the 1.8TSI Laura is fabulous car to drive and I have driven her all across the country over last 9 years. If BMW wants more than 3 times the money for the 3 series (or let's say twice the money as vRS), the car must feel that much more special and it didn't (my test drive report of the 320d is available on the 330i thread). And it's high time people understand that a customer's (or a potential customer's) experience and opinion is the most important thing.
Also, it was odd that BMW wanted me to test drive a 320d and then buy a 330i based on that. They don't have the 330i for test drive. In case of Jaguar, at least they have petrol XE for the TD!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sahil
(Post 4510344)
The mid Size Germany luxury segment have all gone up over the years to make room for smaller luxury models like the CLA and A3. This was a bad move IMO, the smaller models barely sell and instead compel the mid segment one to get cannablized by its larger sibling. I bet if they start correcting prices and let the A3 and CLA get cannablized by the A4 and C-class, they would sell more in the segment.
|
So true. When I bought my current 320d in 2013 it costed me 31L OTR. The top of the line variant was being offered for around 35L. The same car has now crossed 40L OTR while the 5 series segment has stayed more or less stationary. If I was in the market today then I would rather spend another 5-10L and move up a segment.
Damn, the new 3 looks hot in this spec with the M kit. That grill although quite OTT is :thumbs up
The car looks really good and BMW has a chance to price it well and tackle two segments in one shot – that of the CLA and the C. Otherwise I won’t be surprised even if a Volvo go above them in sales numbers with its new S60 and the brilliant SUV/Crossover range.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sahil
(Post 4511410)
Damn, the new 3 looks hot in this spec with the M kit. That grill although quite OTT is :thumbs up
|
That screams very Chinese though :)
7th-gen BMW 3 Series to launch on July 25 
Seventh-gen 3 Series is larger, lighter, safer and has more equipment than the outgoing model. While it’s just 1mm taller than the outgoing model, the new 3 Series is 85mm longer, 17mm wider and has a wheelbase that is 41mm longer. The front and rear tracks have been also been widened.
The interior, however, is more practical now, with 40:20:40 split folding rear seats as standard, more storage spaces and a reshaped boot (capacity is the same at 480 litres).
The India-spec 3 Series will get the same 2.0-litre turbo-petrol and 2.0-litre diesel engine as the current model. However, the petrol engine’s output will be bumped up from 252hp and 350Nm to 258hp and 400Nm of torque. The 8-speed torque convertor automatic will also be carried forward.
More Details
Rumour: 7th-gen BMW 3 Series launch on August 22, 2019
According to a media report, the seventh generation BMW 3 Series is likely to be launched in India on August 22, 2019.
Test mules of the new 3 Series have already been spotted testing in India. The new model is based on the CLAR architecture and is longer than its predecessor. It features a new exterior with twin kidney grille flanked by twin-pod headlamps. It gets a new front bumper with LED fog lamps. At the rear, the car comes with L-shaped tail lights and a redesigned bumper. The M Sport variant is likely to get twin exhausts among other aesthetic tweaks.
On the inside, the new 3 Series gets a redesigned dashboard with an 8.8 / 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system, 3-spoke multi-function steering wheel and a digital instrument cluster.
In India, the sixth-gen 3 Series was offered with two engine options - a 188 BHP 2.0-litre, 4-cylinder diesel and a 248 BHP 2.0-litre, 4-cylinder petrol. There is no word yet on the engines that will be offered on the upcoming model. The sixth-gen 3 Series is no longer listed on BMW India's website.
Source:
NDTV Link to Team-BHP News
7th-gen BMW 3 Series launch on August 21, 2019
The seventh generation BMW 3 Series will be launched in India on August 21, 2019.
The new model is based on the CLAR architecture and is longer than its predecessor. The car gets new exterior styling with a revised twin kidney grille flanked by twin-pod headlamps and a new front bumper with LED fog lamps. At the rear, the car comes with L-shaped tail lights and a redesigned bumper.
On the inside, the new 3 Series comes with a redesigned dashboard with an 8.8 / 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system, 3-spoke multi-function steering wheel and a digital instrument cluster.
The sixth generation 3 Series was offered with 2.0-litre, 4-cylinder petrol and diesel engines producing 248 BHP and 188 BHP respectively. BMW is yet to announce the engine options that will be available on the new model.
Link to Team-BHP News
Had a chance to experience the car in Singapore and saw it on the road as well. I must say, the designers have done a pretty good job styling it. It looks bigger, sharper, modern and futuristic. The overall space has improved as well, both in the front and back. The car would be able to generate good numbers in India if priced well. However, the one thing I do miss are the angel eyes DRLs. please:
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