BMW 3 Series freshened with new cockpit, bolder styling

BMW is taking another step toward an all-electric future with midcycle updates for it 3 Series Sedan and Touring models that include new cockpit technology.

The powerplants are carried over from the current model. They feature BMW's TwinPower Turbo technology and electrification in the form of plug-in hybrid and 48-volt mild-hybrid technologies, BMW said in a statement.

The 48-volt starter-generator serves as an electric drive unit delivering a power boost when accelerating off the line, or putting in a quick burst of speed for passing.

The 3 Series was BMW's best-selling model in Europe last year, with sales of 115,209, according to data from JATO Dynamics.

Exterior changes include redesigned front and rear aprons and large air intakes.

The sedan receives a wider, more muscular stance with horizontal lines, slimmer light units and flared rear wheel arches.

Lightly modified contours and new double bars give the signature BMW kidney grille a more powerful look. Air intakes in high-gloss black positioned below the kidney grille direct cool air to the front brakes.

The LED headlights are slimmer, with daytime driving lights arranged in an inverted L-shape. The outer daytime driving light elements are also turn indicators.

The refreshed BMW 3 Series features a newly designed cockpit anchored by a curved display, which pairs a 12.3-inch information display behind the steering wheel and a 14.9-inch center control display.

The model features BMW's iDrive 8 infotainment system with the automaker's newest operating system. The BMW Operating System 8 processes twice the number of information signals and 20 times more data volume than before.

The latest changes to the seventh-generation 3 Series help bridge the gap between combustion engine models to future electric versions, said Sam Fiorani, vice president at AutoForecast Solutions.

"BMW sees the additional competition within the luxury and near-luxury markets, especially from EV players, and wants to hit them head-on," Fiorani said. "Updates like these show that the long-running 3 Series is not ready to cede its market position without a fight."

A 3 Series battery-electric vehicle is targeted for a U.S. sales launch in 2026, Fiorani said, in line with BMW's plans for a new platform for midsize BEVs in 2025. BMW Group expects at least one out of every two vehicles sold to be fully electric by 2030, if not sooner.

Since the debut of the original in 1975, more than 16 million BMW 3 Series have been delivered. The model accounts for about 14 percent of the brand's vehicle sales worldwide.

The BMW 3 Series sedan will arrive in July in Europe and the U.S. In Germany, the base model will start from 43,900 euros.