The BMW F30/F31/F34/F35 series is the sixth generation of the BMW 3 Series, which was launched on February 11, 2012 as the successor to the E90 3 Series. The body styles of the range are:
- 4-door sedan/saloon (F30 model code)
- 5-door estate/wagon (F31 model code, marketed as "Touring" or "Sports Wagon")
- 5-door fastback (F34 model code, marketed as 3 Series Gran Turismo)
- 4-door long-wheelbase sedan/saloon (F35 model code, only sold in China)
For the sixth generation, the coupe and convertible models were spun off to create the new BMW 4 Series nameplate. BMW also introduced a separate hatchback model under the 3 Series nameplate called the Gran Turismo.
The F30 is the first generation of 3 Series to be powered by a range of turbocharged engines exclusively and electric power steering (replacing the hydraulic power steering systems used previously). The F30 also marked the 3 Series' first use of a three-cylinder engine in its 2015 facelift. A new plug-in hybrid F30 model was also introduced in 2016.
The M3 model (designated F80) was released in 2014 and is powered by the S55 twin-turbo straight-6 engine.
Video BMW 3 Series (F30)
Development and launch
The exterior designer for the F30 sedan was Christopher Weil and exterior designer for the F31 Touring was Michael de Bono.
The F30 was unveiled in Munich on 14 October 2011.
Maps BMW 3 Series (F30)
Body styles
Sedan (F30)
The F30 sedan received its auto show debut at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show in March 2012. It was released on February 11, 2012, being the first of the sixth generation 3 Series models to go on sale.
The 320i, 318d, and 316d sedans were added in March 2012, and the 320i EfficientDynamics Edition and 316i were added in autumn of 2012.
The BMW 320d Efficient Dynamics was the most widely used vehicle in the London 2012 Olympics due to BMW's official partnership.
The arrival of the four-cylinder models in the US was the first 3 Series to be sold with a four-cylinder petrol engine in this market since the E36 318i of the late 1990s. Early models included the 328i and 335i. The 328i xDrive and 335i xDrive went on sale in the summer of 2012.
Estate / Sports Wagon (F31)
The station wagon body style (marketed as "Estate", "Sports Wagon" or "Touring") was unveiled in 21st Auto Mobil International Leipzig 2012. This body style is designated as F31, and the launch models consisted of the 328i, 320d and 330d. The 320i, 316d and 318d models were added in autumn of 2012.
Gran Turismo (F34)
The 5-door hatchback body style is designated F34 and was marketed as the 3 Series Gran Turismo, with styling similar to the 5 Series Gran Turismo. At 4,824 mm (190 in), the F34 is 200 mm (8 in) longer than the Sedan and Touring models. This extra length is partly facilitated by the 110 mm (4 in) longer wheelbase of the platform used by the F35. The F34 is also 79 mm (3 in) taller than the F30/F31.
The vehicle was unveiled in the 83rd Geneva International Motor Show 2013. Early models included 320i, 328i, 335i, 318d, 320d, with the later introduction of the 325d. Several models were available with "xDrive" all-wheel drive.
Long wheelbase sedan (F35)
A long-wheelbase sedan, designated F35, was produced for the Chinese market. The wheelbase is increased by 110 mm (4.3 in), which increases rear knee room by 90 mm (3.5 in). This vehicle was produced in BMW's Shenyang production plant, and chrome trim on the doors distinguishes it from the F30 sedans.
The vehicle was unveiled in 2012 Auto China in Beijing. Initial models included the 320Li, 328Li and 335Li. Post-facelift (LCI) models were the 316Li, 320Li, 328Li, 328Li xDrive and 335Li.
Styling
Designed by Christopher Weil under design chief Adrian Van Hooydonk, the F30/F31 has grown in all dimensions compared to its predecessor. The styling is similar to previous generations with a sweeping bonnet, short front overhang and long wheelbase typical. Headlamps now connect to a wide kidney grill. Tail lamps sport a wide "L" shape design seen in many BMW models.
Interior
The traditional mechanical shift lever was replaced by a Shift by wire shifter, as introduced in the 2007 E70 X5 and the 2008 LCI update of the E60 5 Series. The LCD and iDrive scroll button on the steering wheel became standard equipment. GPS navigation and an 8.8 in (22.4 cm) widescreen display were included in the Technology and Navigation packages. Other options include heated front seats and split-fold rear seats. Rear headroom, leg room and shoulder room has increased, compared with its E90 predecessor.
Options
Three trim options (called "lines" by BMW) have been available for the F30/F31: Modern line, Sports line and Luxury line. These lines form the base packages upon which extra options could be specified.
The Modern line includes a matte-chrome finish for the grille and exhausts, unique wheels and textured wood trim in the interior. The Modern line was discontinued in 2013.
The Sport line is a replacement of the Sports Package previously offered on the E36, E46 and E90. The Sport line included 18" wheels, sports suspension, a Sport Plus driving mode, sports steering wheel and sports seats. Cosmetic features included contrasting stitching and piping, a contrasting "accent strip" and aluminium sill plates.
The Luxury line includes chrome trim around the side windows, aluminium sill plates and a sports steering wheel.
In the US, the lines were discontinued (therefore specifying a car reverted to selecting individual options), however the lines continued in other markets.
Engines
The petrol models initially used the 4-cylinder N13, 4-cylinder N20 and 6-cylinder N55 engines, which are all turbocharged. This meant that the 325i and 328i models (traditionally powered by naturally-aspirated 6-cylinder engines) now used the turbocharged 4-cylinder N20 engine. For the 2016 facelift (LCI), the engines were updated to the 3-cylinder B38, the 4-cylinder B48 and the 6-cylinder B58.
The diesel models initially used the 4-cylinder N47 and 6-cylinder N57 turbocharged engines. For the 2016 facelift, the 4-cylinder models were updated to the B47 engine, while the 6-cylinder models retained the N57 engine.
Petrol engines
Diesel engines
* In North America, 328d models used the 4-cylinder engine from the European-specification 320d models.
Drivetrain
The available transmissions are:
- 6-speed Getrag GS6-17BG manual
- 6-speed ZF GS6-45BZ manual
- 8-speed ZF 8HP45 automatic
- 8-speed ZF 8HP50 automatic
- 8-speed ZF 8HP70 - 700NM (e.g. F30 335d, N57D30T1)
M3
The M3 version (designated F80, the first time an M3 has used a separate model code) was released in 2014. It is powered by the S55 twin-turbo straight-6 engine. It had been rumored that production would end in May 2018, but BMW stated that production will continue until the new model is launched, which is expected in 2020.
Special models
ActiveHybrid 3
Based on the 335i Sedan, the ActiveHybrid 3 includes a 40 kW (54 hp) synchronous electric motor, a lithium-ion battery integrated underneath the luggage area and a 2-zone climate control system with stationary air conditioning. The electric motor produces 210 N?m (150 lb?ft). The maximum all-electric driving range is 4 km (2.5 mi), with top speed of 75 km/h (47 mph).
The BMW ActiveHybrid 3 was unveiled at the North American International Auto Show in January 2012.
The US EPA rated the 2013 ActiveHybrid 3 with a combined fuel economy of 28 mpg-US (8.4 l/100 km), with 25 mpg-US (9.4 l/100 km) in the city, and 33 mpg-US (7.1 l/100 km) .
330e iPerformance
The BMW 330e iPerformance is a plug-in hybrid unveilled at the IAA in Frankfurt in September 2015. Retail sales began in Europe and North America in 2016. Sales in the American market are slated for mid-2016, with a price starting at US$44,695 before any applicable government incentives. The car was initially name 330e Plug-in Hybrid, however, in February 2016 BMW announced the introduction of the "iPerformance" model designation, which will be given to all BMW plug-in hybrid vehicles from July 2016. The aim is to provide a visible indicator of the transfer of technology from BMW i to the BMW core brand.
The 330e features a four-cylinder gasoline engine and an 88-hp electric motor. It produces a total of 252 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque. Under the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) tests, the BMW 330e has an all electric range of 14 mi (23 km), with some gasoline consumption, so the actual all-electric range is rated between 0 to 14 mi (0 to 23 km).
The EPA, under its five-cycle tests, rated the 2016 model year 330e energy consumption in all-electric mode at 47 kWh per 100 miles, which translates into a combined city/highway fuel economy of 72 miles per gallon gasoline equivalent (MPG-e) (3.3 L/100 km; 86 mpg-imp gasoline equivalent). When powered only by the gasoline engine, EPA's official combined city/highway fuel economy is 31 mpg-US (7.6 L/100 km; 37 mpg-imp).
The first units were registered in Europe by late 2015. A total of 68 units were sold in the Netherlands by the end of 2015.
Model year changes
2013
- all-wheel drive became available with the wagon body style for 320i, 328i and 330i models
- US sales of wagon body style begin in the Spring of 2013. Models included 328i, 328i xDrive, as well as the 328d xDrive, using the same engine tuning as the 320d elsewhere in the world.
- US sales of 320i and 320i xDrive sedans begin late-Spring 2013.
2014
- 328d is the first four-cylinder diesel BMW to be sold in the United States.
2015 Facelift (LCI)
The facelift ("Life Cycle Impulse") versions were released in 2015 for the 2016 model year. Changes include:
- 340i models (using the B58 engine) replace the 335i models (using the N55 engine).
- 330i model (using the B48 engine) replaces the 328i model (using the N20 engine), except for the United States market
- 320i engine changes to B48 from N20, except for the United States market
- 318i engine changes to the 3-cylinder B38 (therefore, for the first time in its 40-year history, the 318i model isn't powered by a 4-cylinder engine)
- B47 engine replaces the N47 engine for the 4-cylinder diesel models.
- ActiveHybrid 3 model discontinued
- 330e iPerformance plug-in hybrid model added
- revised headlights and tail-lights, with LED replacing Xenon for the headlights
- revised shock absorbers and front suspension mounts
- revised electronic stability control (called "DSC" by BMW)
- rev-matching (called "engine speed adaption" by BMW) for manual transmissions
- GPS-based gear selection (called "ConnectedShift" by BMW) for automatic transmissions
Safety
Euro NCAP
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS)
NHTSA
Production
BMW ActiveHybrid 3 is produced at BMW Plant Munich. The Gran Turismo is produced in the 5 and 7 series plant in Dingolfing.
The BMW 3-series is no longer produced at it's South African plant. Production ended after producing 5 generations of the 3-series, making a total of 1,191,604 vehicles. The 2019 BMW X3 is set to replace production.
References
External links
- Official website
Source of article : Wikipedia
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