BMW 3 Series 2011 News

Only a fraction of the 1.2 million cars on Australia roads with airbags that can spray shrapnel have been fixed, new figures show.

It has the raised seating position of  the larger 5 Series GT, as well as its two-tier rear hatch, as well as the aggressive new nose of the latest Three.

Thousands of production line workers form a guard of honour as the first of the sixth-generation Threes emerge into the light for the first time, and every member of BMW's board of directors fronts to sprout the message.What's clear is that BMW has spent big on a car that promises more luxury and comfort without losing the driving spirit that's come as standard in the 3 Series since its birth in 1975.It's not particularly adventurous in design, but the detailing is everything you expect.When we get behind the wheel we're expecting much more efficiency and technology, but still with the driving dynamics you expect in any new BMW.After all, this car has to work. Benz has just done a great job on a mid-life update of the C-Class that includes more than 1000 new parts, Audi is pushing harder and harder with its A4 and A5 models, and even Lexus wants more BMW buyers in its showrooms.So BMW is pushing back and hitting out with more technology, better value and a car that is sure to work for the vast majority of its existing owners and a growing group of cashed-up shoppers buying their first premium car in lots of new countries - led by China - which are joining the luxury class.The signature tune for the advertising campaign for the new Three sums things up pretty neatly: it's 'Dancing with Myself' by Billy Idol.

The compact 3 Series has been totally updated in every area, from its body and technology to the engines, and arrives in Australia early next year to coincide with a simultaneous world on-sale date of February 11.The price is still secret, but the new Three is likely to cost around four per cent more than the current model with compensation from extra standard equipment at all levels.The car is the sixth generation of the 3 Series, which BMW says has provided the foundation for all of its growth and model expansion since the original model in 1975 and thanks to more than 12 million sales.The latest look is evolutionary, not revolutionary - unlike the days when Chris Bangle was in charge of design and trying to snap the links to BMW's conservative past - and appears more like a mini 5 Series than any previous Three.The car is codenamed F30 and there will eventually be six individual body styles - coupe, Touring wagon, GT, convertible and GranCoupe - although only the four-door sedan is unveiled in Munich today.One of the biggest changes for the Three is that some of the cars, most likely the GranCoupe and GT, will pick up a new 4 Series nametag, although sales and marketing chief Ian Robertson refuses to speculate on anything beyond the 3 Series sedan."There are many years to go yet," he tells Carsguide. But every BMW executive at the 3 Series preview is sprouting the same line, emphasising the importance of the car that is the cornerstone of the German brand. "The 3 Series is at the heart of the brand.We want to build and sell more cars than we did in the previous generation," he says. The technical changes with the new Three start with a body that has a slippery drag co-efficient of just 0.26 and continue with an eight-speed automatic and a display screen that pops up out of the dashboard like a flatscreen television."The 3 Series has always been a very sporty car," says development chief Klaus Draeger, highlighting the 320d that leads the efficiency push with claimed fuel economy of 4.1 litres/100km.All of the four-door 3 Series models will have turbocharged engines, five petrol and six diesel, with six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic gearboxes. The choices in Australia have not been finalised.The car also comes with three individual model lines - Modern, Sport and Luxury - instead of the usual confusing plethora of BMW options as the brand continues the simplification of choices for buyers.

...with the first official press preview of the compact sedan in Germany.Carsguide will be there but we’ve also got an unofficial look at the 3 Series wagon - called the Touring - in action in the German countryside.

It's the GT and, as the name suggests, it takes a similar approach to the 5 Series GT that's already sold in Australia from just over $150,000.The new 3 Series is expected to a raised seating position and ride height like the Five and will also have a smaller take on its two-tier rear hatch design, as design drives the shape and functional work.The 3 GT is expected to come with both rear and xDrive all-wheel drive, with a range of petrol and diesel engines, although the car is too far away from Australia for any solid speculation.Even so, this Carparazzi picture confirms BMW's plans and points to a preview at the 2011 Frankfurst Motor Show in September.

More than 80 per cent of dog owners take their canine companions along in their vehicles.

Victoria's intention to mandate electronic stability systems and head airbags in all new cars from 2011 is an extremely noble and morally forthright move.

Following in the mould of a swag of rivals, the new E93 3-series convertible has swapped its soft-top for a metal folding roof. A bold move maybe but technology has allowed such a move without the convertible suffering from obesity or the normal design trade-off of a frumpy rear-end. The fourth generation 3-series convertible is arguably the biggest design change to the model from the Bavarian brand which calls on over 70 years of experience in making droptop machines. It is claimed the three-piece roof opens and shuts in 22 seconds. There is a diesel four-cylinder convertible but it is unlikely to get a start in Australia. The Brisbane Motor Show will be the Australian preview for the ground-breaking hardtop only two weeks after the car was put through its paces at the international launch in Phoenix, Arizona. It will be available in showrooms here in March, soon after it becomes available in Europe and North America. Prices for the new droptop are $94,900 for the 325i manual ($97,500 automatic) while the red-hot 335i manual will cost $121,500 with the auto at $124,100. As in the coupe range there will be a choice of either the six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic. Breaking cover in Australia on BMW's Brisbane stand will be the rapid 335i twinturbo convertible along with a 325i version. There will also be a 323i which is the third and final variant to join the sexy 3-series coupe range after the release of the 335 and 325 last year. The preview of the 3-series convertible at the show is the second time BMW have used Queensland as a launching pad for important new models within the past six months. In a major shot-in-the-arm, the 3-series coupe press launch was held out of Brisbane before the car was shown at the Paris Motor Show. Other cars the blue and white badge has assigned for the show are a hot M6 convertible, the all-new X3 3-litre diesel, a Z4 M coupe and a 3-litre roadster, a 1-series diesel and a 750Li Individual. The awesome 335i will also be shown in a 3series sedan Individual.