Every big car company has its core model, or to put it another way, its cash cow - think of Toyota's Corolla or the Mercedes E-Class - and in BMW’s case, that car is the 3 Series.
The car has been around for just over 50 years, and BMW has sold some 18 million of them, making the 3 Series the company’s most valuable asset.
It is therefore a car that needs to be curated when a new version comes along in a way that modernises, but retains its essential character and appeal. And that’s exactly what has happened with the unveiling of the latest 3 Series - the i3.
It’s all new, and it’s all familiar. The stance is unmistakable, yet the styling changes are extensive. The traditional kidney-shaped grille has been elongated, the wheel arches flared, the creases accentuated, the LED lighting bars across the front and rear are perfectly aligned, the silhouette is sporty, and the overhangs front and rear are short.
Everywhere you look, you will see subtle and sometimes bold changes, and the overall profile is a very impressive achievement.
There are other innovations you can’t see. The car will be available with three different suspension set-ups, and one version of the car will offer an innovative sporty experience by allowing the driver to switch from all-wheel drive to rear wheel drive with the touch of a button.
You will recognise it instantly as a 3 Series but with myriad touches - externally and internally - that set it up for perhaps a good five to seven-year life cycle, and it should please traditional fans as much as new ones.
It’s still a good way from Irish shores, and orders will begin later this year. We don’t have an indicative price yet.
The first version to be unveiled is the electric version that has a relatively massive 107 kW battery, which BMW says will achieve a range of up to 900 kilometres.
It’s an extraordinary figure in the context of today’s EVs, but BMW allows that the breakthrough figure represents "provisional values" and will depend on various factors such as load, driving style, route, weather tyres, the age of the battery and 'auxiliary consumers", such as air conditioning.
In other words, that target figure is exactly that, and we will wait to see what happens in real-world conditions.
However, the consumption of the first model of BMW’s latest design programme - the iX3 - augurs well for the i3 in terms of efficiency. The i3 also has unmistakable design cues from the iX3.
While the first version is an EV, BMW isn’t giving up on internal combustion engines and will offer four and six-cylinder petrol and diesel versions at a later stage. There will also be a more basic version with a smaller battery and rear-wheel drive to create a more affordable entry-level option.
Inside, there’s a 17" screen for infotainment, and the clever panoramic vision screen for driver information extends right across the space above the dashboard.
There’s a 3D optional head-up display, as well as an optional panoramic roof. The car’s operating system can also link to Amazon Alexa + to allow for more voice commands for various functions.
