After launching the all-new X5, the 7 Series facelift and the X7 earlier this year, BMW India has now beefed-up its entry-level space with the seventh-generation 3 Series. Priced between Rs 41.4 lakh and Rs 47.90 lakh, the sedan in its new avatar is lighter, tighter and bigger than its predecessor. The new model also manages to outclass the one it replaces with a lower coefficient of drag and a more feature-rich package.

Like the old one, the all-new 3 Series will be put together at BMW India’s Chennai facility and is available with both petrol and diesel engine options. As far as trim levels are concerned, the petrol-fed 330i is available only in M Sport, whereas the diesel-powered 320d is on offer in Sport and Luxury Line packages. Before we get to the list of features, let’s unravel the performance figures.

Both engines have a 2.0-litre, 4-cylinder configuration and they are turbocharged. They also comply with Bharat Stage VI (BSVI) levels of emission norms. But where the petrol mill has 258hp/400Nm on tap, the diesel offers 190hp/400Nm. Transmission duties for both engines are handled by an 8-speed automatic unit which feeds the oomph to the rear wheels only. The 0-100kmph sprint time and the top speed for the petrol-fed 3 Series are 5.8 seconds and 250kmph, respectively. Those figures, in the same order, for the diesel engine are 6.8 seconds and 240kmph. As for the mileage, the diesel can return 19.62kmpl and petrol can go as high as 16.13kmpl.

Even if you settle for the entry-level derivative, which is the 320d Sport, the standard list of features will still include cruise control, launch control, three-zone climate control, electric sunroof, multifunction steering wheel with paddle shifters, electrically-adjustable front seats, a 10-speaker 205-watt sound system with an 8.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, 17-inch alloy wheels and tyre pressure monitoring system. The Luxury Line ropes in gizmos such as ambient lighting, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system and a lot of chrome detailing inside as well as outside.

Where the Luxury Line trim focuses more on comfort, the M Sport trim has a more aggressive outlook. Opting for the petrol-powered 3 Series will get you almost all the features from the Luxury Line plus wireless mobile charger, M aerodynamic design kit, BMW gesture control and 18-inch alloy wheels. All three 3 Series variants are available in white and black shades. However, the mineral grey shade is reserved for the 330i and Mediterranean Blue is available only with the 320d variants.

In India, the BMW 3 Series competes with the likes of the Mercedes-Benz C-Class, Jaguar XE and the Audi A4. There’s also the Volvo S60 but it will soon be phased out in India to make space for the all-new one. That should arrive sometime next year. Here’s the complete price list of the new BMW 3 Series:

• BMW 320d Sport – Rs 41.4 Lakh
• BMW 320d Luxury Line – Rs 46.9 Lakh
• BMW 330i M Sport – Rs 47.9 Lakh

Note: All prices given above are ex-showroom India.