BMW 320d News

BMW Australia has lifted the lid on its refreshed 3 Series ahead of its November arrival.

The Toyota HiLux has claimed the number one spot for October ahead of its arch rival, the Ford Ranger.

Petrol-electric power is coming to BMW's luxury SUV.

A plug-in hybrid is also coming next year. But the big switch, and a car to challenge the Mercedes-Benz C-Class that is romping ahead with prestige buyers in Australia, is still in the future.A new 7 Series flagship is coming towards the end of this year. Australian designer Calvin Luk has done design updates for the 1 Series and X3, but the 3 Series is only a mild evolution despite the hype at company headquarters in Munich."We are enriching the 3 Series with new cutting-edge engine technology. We can offer a fuel efficiency improvement of up to 13 per cent," says BMW Group global marketing chief Ian Robertson.He says the focus is on agility and dynamics as BMW defends the global market leadership it has held since the 3 Series's debut in 1975."We fully intend to maintain this position. The sedan segment is still strong despite what everyone is trying to intimate, and the Touring (wagon) works well in Europe."I think sedans have a long way to go. Our core is still rear-wheel drive and sedans."The 3 Series update will reach Australia late this year, after European sales begin in August, but there is no prediction yet on pricing or the final engine line-up after the mid-cycle change.The new engines are led by the four-cylinder petrol powerplant in the 330i that makes 135kW and best fuel figures from 5.3L/100km. The 240kW inline six in the 340i returns at best 6.6L/100km.All the 3 Series engines below the M3 — three, four and six-cylinder petrol and four-cylinder diesel — now come from the Efficient Dynamics engine family, boosted by turbos. The plug-in hybrid, the 330e, promises economy of just 2.1L/100km despite making 185kW.We've done subtle but effective changesOn the technology front, in addition to 4G there is an updated Professional satnav with the prospect of quicker route calculation and free map upgrades "automatically over the air in the owner's home region" for three years.Visually, the 3 Series has a sharper nose with more LED work and tail-lamps with a slightly different shape. In the cabin, there is more soft plastic and extra chrome trimming."We've done subtle but effective changes. It's about quality and precision," says BMW design chief Karim Habib.BMW talks big about the history of the 3 Series, with sales totalling more than 14 million cars.There was a historic line-up of all six generations outside its Munich headquarters for the update event.Robertson says the big party is coming next year, though he won't be drawn on the possibility of landmark concept cars or even a 3 Series with more improvements."We are going to do some celebratory 100-year cars next year," he says, alluding to BMW's centenary.Check out Malcolm Flynn's video review of the BMW 3 Series:

BMW has fired its first riposte to the Mercedes-Benz C-Class since the arrival of new MD Marc-Heinrich Werner, introducing more equipment and gear on the 3 Series.

BMW has issued a safety recall for a total of 2894 cars sold between November 1 2012 and July 31 2013 for a defect that could see a lack of lubrication cause the vacuum pump to fail and reduce the effectiveness of the brake assist function that adds extra force for panic stops.The carmaker says however that the vehicles will still be able to brake under normal circumstances. "They don't lose braking ability, but still lose brake assistance," BMW Australia spokesperson Lenore Fletcher says. The affected vehicles are: the F20 1 Series; F30, F31 and F34 3 Series; F10 and F11 5 Series; E84 X1 compact crossover;  F25 X3 Series and E89 Z4 sports car.Fletcher says there have been no accidents or injuries, but a small number of vehicles have experienced the problem. "There have been about six or seven reports," she says. "We believe that only about 0.5 per cent of the vehicles in the recall will need fixing."An inspection taking less than an hour will determine if a vehicle needs the fix -- which will require up to another five hours. "We'll replace the component, and while parts can sometimes be an issue, ours are being airfreighted from Germany right now," Fletcher says. BMW says concerned owners should contact their nearest BMW service centre, or call 1800 813 299.

Announced today by BMW Australia, the pricing and specification revisions include the addition of added standard features and the lowering of the price of many options offered in the Sedan and Touring variants of the 3 Series. But with the revisions comes an increase in the initial purchase price of the 3 Series, these increases range from $1400 to $3000.BMW have also made various specification level changes, including the 'Business' grade navigation system as standard on the 316i, 318d, 320i, 320d sedan variants, as well as the 318d and 320i touring models. The 328i receives an upgraded body style, and a 'professional' navigation system complete with internet functionality.The 'Professional' navigation system now comes with a new iDrive controller, with touch functionality. Those who opt for the 'Driving Assistant' option now get a lane departure warning system.The BMW 'Lines' add-on package, with 18" alloys, now come at no cost on the 328i sedan and touring The 335i and ActiveHybrid 3 models also get the 'Lines' package as standard, as well as roller rear windscreen and door sunblinds. While all 3 Series Sedan and Touring models equipped with the eight-speed sports automatic transmission will now also include launch control as standard.BMW has also reworked the pricing of optional equipment, including; Optional equipment pricing has had an overhaul in the 3 series sedan and touring models. Active cruise control with stop and go function (not available for 316i and 318d) has benefitted from a $384 reduction.Similar revisions have been applied to the unique-in-segment Head-Up display with savings of up to $300, depending on the 3 Series model. A saving of around $460 is also available on the HiFi loudspeaker system or the high-end harman/kardon surround sound system as options for the 316i, 318d, 320i and 320d Sedan variants as well as the 318d, and 320i for the Touring models.The BMW ‘Lines’, price reduced on some models; no cost option on others. The M Sport package reduced by $615 for 316i and 318d; over $1000 for 328i and $500 for 335i and ActiveHybrid 3. Phil Horton, managing director of BMW Group Australia, says the changes enhance the value and credentials of the 3 Series.“The 3 Series is lauded for its excellent driving dynamics and beautiful styling, and now it boasts increased specification and more attractive option pricing. Who could ask for more?”The updates to the BMW 3 Series Touring models are effective from July 2013 production and from August 2013 for the BMW 3 Series Sedan range.BMW 3 SeriesBMW 316i Sedan            from $52,300BMW 318d Sedan           from $57,800BMW 320i Sedan            from $60,000BMW 320d Sedan           from $62,300BMW 328i Sedan            from $68,900BMW 335i Sedan            from $93,400BMW ActiveHybrid 3      from $99,700BMW 318d Touring        from $60,300BMW 320i Touring         from $64,000BMW 328i Touring         from $72,900Joel Helmes is the editor of the Behind the Wheel radio program, heard on more than 150 stations around Australia, and www.behindthewheel.com.au 

Kids aren’t usually a factor in Car of the Year judging.  But child friendliness rates highly with women buying cars – and with women judging cars.The countdown has been kicked off to decide the Women’s World Car of the Year, and the kid factor is one the judges pay a lot of attention to.“Statistics show that women drive children in cars significantly more often than men – and that means women need to take that into account, both when buying and as judges of cars,” WCOTY president Sandy Myhre said from New Zealand.“Any woman who has grappled constantly with child seats and belts and children considers those things when looking at buying a car.  Men might too but the fact is, women drive children in cars more than men.“Women would not consider that aspect in a Porsche 911 more than a bloke. The point is, it can be considered in these awards - and that is one of the points of difference in these awards.”Myhre points out that significant research into buying habits show that in addition to buying for themselves, women have a major influence in household purchase decisions for big ticket items.Ford Australia, for example, says their research shows that women are behind the majority of purchases of the Territory SUV – either as single women buying one, or in influencing the joint decision with their partner. “A report from Mattingly & Associates in Australia concluded, in part, that businesses that didn't understand this influence would be hard-pressed to stay in business.  That report was aptly called 'When I've Made Up Our Minds',” Myhre says.However, the kid factor is just one of the criteria by which the 2012 Women’s World Car of the Year will be judged.There are four categories in the Women's World Car of the Year – Family Car, Luxury Car, Sports Car and Economy Car. Points are allocated to each of ten criteria: driveability, engineering, comfort, child friendliness, style, interior, storage, dashboard efficiency, carbon footprint and colour range.The 20 judges from eleven countries have submitted their own personal short list and more than 300 cars were suggested. These individual choices were then whittled down to form a master list of 32 in terms of popularity. Judges will now allocate points for these cars from a criteria list.The announcement of the winning cars in each category and the supreme winner will be made before the end of March. The supreme award trophy and category certificates will be presented to the car companies concerned at the Mondial de l’Automobile 2012 – the Paris Motor Show – in September. The supreme trophy will this year be made in The Netherlands. Category-winner certificates will be designed at Peartree Studios in Colerne, UK.The first winner of the Women's World Car of the Year was the Jaguar XF in 2010 and the trophy made in South Africa was presented at the Jaguar boutique showroom in Knightsbridge, London. In 2011 there was a dead-heat between the Citroen DS3 and the BMW 5 Series. The two trophies made in India were presented at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 2011. 

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.