It was in October last year when BMW unveiled the seventh-gen 3 Series. Market launches began in the month of March 2019 and soon it will go on sale in India as well. Yup! The all-new BMW 3 Series is set to launch on August 21, 2019. Compared to its predecessor, the new executive sedan is not only bigger, lighter and tighter but also more feature-rich. One of the major contributors to those aspects is BMW’s CLAR platform, which also underpins models like the 5 Series and the soon-to-be-launched 7 Series facelift and the X7.

We’re sure you’ll agree that the new 3 Series looks more macho than ever before. Part of it is down to its stretched dimensions and the rest comes from its looks. Yes, the kidney grille has grown in size but thankfully it doesn’t overwhelm the onlooker. The sedan looks wider than it actually is, primarily due to the way the front and rear ends have been put together. The case in point is further helped along with stretched front and rear track widths.

As for the interior, it’s a typical BMW job – neat and crisp. And it should be just as roomy, if not more, for living and non-living things as before. Woah! Did that just rhyme?! The standard kit, which differs with markets, should also be impressive, considering BMW has been facing quite a lot of heat from its rivals in India. Expect features like BMW Live Cockpit Professional, ambient lighting, electric sunroof and gesture-operated tailgate to be offered, at least in the range-topping versions.

Over to the engines. BMW India is likely to stick with the tried-and-tested monikers – 330i and 320d. Both will house 2.0-litre engines but while the former will run on petrol and produce 258PS/400Nm, the latter will gulp diesel to put out 190PS/400Nm. Both power-plants will come coupled to an 8-speed automatic transmission. As far as the 0-100kmph sprint times and top speed figures are concerned, the petrol can clock 5.8 seconds and 250kmph, respectively. Those figures for the diesel, in the same order, are 6.8 seconds and 240kmph.

Excited? We are! Once launched, the new 3 Series will lock horns with the Mercedes-Benz C-Class, Audi A4, Jaguar XE and the ageing Volvo S60. Since the new model will be put together at BMW’s facility in Chennai, expect it to carry a competitive price list ranging between Rs 40-48 lakh ex-showroom.