More oomph for M3 xDrive, more range for 330e.

ADDITIONAL updates to the BMW 3-Series, including the M-branded fare, have been announced along with late-year arrival timings, but local pricing won’t be revealed yet.

What BMW and some commentators optimistically calls ‘new’ is, in reality, somewhat less so. 

The 2025 products have been unveiled with styling revisions and new technology as part of an interior update, yes, but these build upon more substantial revisions that arrived in 2022, with its mid-life update (a Life Cycle Impulse in BMW-speak).

One of the main changes for all models comes inside. The ‘Curved Display’ high-tech digital dashboard has been upgraded to BMW Operating System 8.5. This brings a revised home screen layout, ‘QuickSelect’ configurable shortcut functionality and the latest BMW personal assistant software.

Though the electric-assisted 330e achieves a much longer electric purse range, tanks to ab battery upgrade, the  most singularly impacted seems to be the M3 all-wheel-drive - which BMW labels as xDrive - which is coming in sedan and wagon/Touring formats (above). 

Power from the 3.0-litre twin-turbo six-cylinder petrol engine will increase to 390kW, from 375kW, but only in this format. The rear-drive edition retains original output.

Torque remains at 650Nm for the M3 Competition xDrive, but BMW says it now delivers that output over a broader rev range – from 2750rpm to 5730rpm, up from 5500rpm.

Power for xDrive versions continues to be sent to all four wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission. Zero to 0-100kmh times are unchanged at 3.5 seconds for the sedan and 3.6 seconds for the Touring.

The update cars arrive in the fourth quarter and are also identified by taking a flat-bottomed steering wheel and the BMW Operating System 8.5 for infotainment and iDrive duties.

Exterior design revisions for the general issue 3 Series are limited to redesigned 19-inch lightweight alloy wheels for the M Sport package and new paint finishes.

Inside, there are new steering wheel and air vent designs from the newer 5 Series, while trim such as the engine start button, gear selector and infotainment control dial can now be optioned in glass material.

The 14.9-inch infotainment touchscreen runs updated iDrive 8.5 software, with a customisable row of shortcuts that can be linked to key air-conditioning functions – all of which runs through the screen, with no physical climate controls.

New tech features include augmented-reality views for the satellite navigation, and a 5G SIM for internet connectivity.

All 3 Series variants will also benefit from three-zone climate control, illuminated air vents and redesigned steering wheels, while certain versions will gain a new seat upholstery called BMW Performtex.

Under the skin, BMW claims a "notable increase in comfort" from stiffer rear damper mounts, lighter steering in Comfort mode, and other undisclosed changes.

BMW here has identified that the 320, 320d xDrive, 330e plug-in hybrid and M340i xDrive are to offer, in sedan and Touring, again with delivery starting around October.

Specifics around any alteration to drivetrain operability has yet to be shared, but in Europe the 330e has gained a 19.5kWh battery pack – up from 12kWh – now good for up to 101km of electric driving range based on European WLTP testing, compared to a maximum of 62km previously.

Outputs of 215kW/420Nm are retained from the 330e's 2.0-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder and electric motor, but the larger battery now supports 11kW AC charging (up from 3.7kW) for a full charge in a claimed two hours and 15 minutes.

There appear to be no signalled changes to the other powerplants, which top with the 285kW/500Nm 3.0-litre turbo-petrol six-cylinder in the M340i. The diesel is an intriguing choice as it has been dropped in Europe.

The 3 Series celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2025 but this G80 generation, which is expected to stay in production until 2027, will stand as the last of its kind, at least as a combustion engine-prioritised car.

What is effectively the next generation will roll out in 2025 - that’s a 3-Series-sized electric uptake from the highly-acclaimed Vision Neue Klasse concept, using the design study’s platform if not all its styling.