Now 37 years old, the BMW 3 series in its sixth generation will debut at the 2012 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) and for the first time will include the technology currently available in its 5 and 7 series siblings.
That technology currently includes lane-departure warning system, night vision, a system to prevent the driver from falling asleep, and radar-based adaptive cruise control with collision-mitigating automatic braking.
The 2012 3 Series is expected to be powered by a new family of aluminum four-cylinder petrol engines ranging from 135 to 245 horsepower. These will include new technologies such as variable intake and exhaust-valve timing, sequential turbochargers, and direct fuel injection. The 245 hp (183 kW; 248 PS) four-cylinder may be included in US-bound models (the last four-cylinder 3 series was the 1999 318ti with a 138 hp (103 kW; 140 PS) engine). The N52 3.0L naturally aspirated I6 may be replaced by the N20 with almost equivalent output.
A hybrid version featuring two electric motors and expected fuel savings of 20 percent, will also be available in the 3 and in the pending X5 hybrid, developed in a joint venture with GM, Chrysler, and Daimler. The new 3 Series is expected to be in sale in February
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AufxAG1uaAM
Article Last Updated: January 8, 2012.
- About the Author
- Latest Posts
A sports, travel and business journalist for more than 45 years, James has written the new car review column The Weekly Driver since 2004.
In addition to founding this site in 2004, James writes a Sunday automotive column for The San Jose Mercury and East Bay Times in Walnut Creek, Calif., and monthly auto review and wellness columns for Gulfshore Business, a magazine in Southwest Florida.
An author and contributor to many newspapers, magazines and online publications, co-hosted The Weekly Driver Podcast from 2017 to 2024.
