BMW 3 Series facelift First Look Review

2015 marks 40 years of the BMW 3 Series, with the original E21 3 Series premiering back in 1975. To celebrate the premium compact sedan’s existence, BMW launched the facelifted model earlier this year. Featuring discreet design updates and new engine options for select global markets, the 3 Series facelift will compete with the all-new Audi A4 and the Jaguar XE and is headed for the Indian market sometime next year.

As a part of its midlife makeover, the 3 Series facelift comes with subtle design upgrades to stay competitive and fresh in the hotly contested premium compact sedan segment. In terms of changes, the only visible updates come in the form of revised headlamps and a slightly different front bumper. BMW is offering full-LED headlamps as an optional extra and they get bold ‘eyebrow’ indicators. Meanwhile, standard headlight units get restyled as LED daytime running lights. At the rear, the entire 3 Series range now gets LED treatment for the taillights as standard.

The plush interior design of the new C-Class has certainly raised the bar in this segment. To tackle this, BMW has tried to make the current interior more visually appealing. As a result, the new 3 Series is laden with a lot of high-gloss plastics and chrome bits. Additionally, BMW has also made GPS navigation as a standard feature across the range.

What really differentiates this facelifted model from the previous 3 Series is the updated firepower. In the global markets, the newest addition is the 318i model with the three-cylinder 'TwinPower' turbo engine sourced from the MINI range. It produces 134bhp of power and 220Nm of torque. BMW has also revealed a new plug-in hybrid model which can run purely on electricity for up to 22 miles (35 kilometres).

As for the rest of the range, the 3 Series gets a 4-cylinder petrol in the 320i model with 181bhp of power and 290Nm of torque. There’s also a new 248bhp, 4-cylinder 330i model that replaces the 328i. The four-cylinder diesel range, on the other hand, is now from BMW’s Efficient Dynamics 'TwinPower' engine family, with improved efficiency and extra power. BMW India, though, will opt for the existing 320d model with the 2-litre diesel engine. Additionally, the brand could also bring back the petrol-powered 328i model.

With the all-new Mercedes C-Class already here and Audi India busy readying the latest-generation A4 for launch, it makes sense for BMW India to bring the 3 Series facelift to India soon. While we expect the brand to continue with just the 2-litre diesel engine option for now, the updated design and a more luxurious cabin will certainly enhance the appeal of the 3 Series in the premium compact sedan segment.