2016 BMW 3 Series: What's Changed
Most significant changes in the new BMW 3 Series: Revised face, new range-topping 340i trim with turbocharged six-cylinder engine
Price change: TBA closer to on-sale date
On sale: This summer
BMW is giving its popular compact sedan a refresh for 2016. Along with a lightly revised face and new interior materials, the range-topping 340i trim joins the 3 Series lineup, replacing the 335i; it’s powered by a new turbocharged six-cylinder engine.
Both sedan and Sport Wagon models wear more sculpted front and rear bumpers along with a more curved LED taillight bar. New wheel designs and additional exterior paint options, including a trio of new metallic colors, round out the changes outside.
Related: Research the BMW 3 Series
Inside, glossy black trim paneling is new, along with more chrome details, additional ambient lighting and an extra storage cubby ahead of the front cupholders. The 2016 BMW 3 Series gets an updated version of BMW’s navigation system, and the automaker says it features quicker start-up times, faster route calculation and more realistic 3-D visualization.
The 340i debuts this year with a new 320-hosepower, all-aluminum turbocharged 3.0-liter straight-six engine. The rest of the lineup’s powertrain options are unchanged. The 320i continues to use a 180-hp, turbo 2.0-liter four-cylinder; it makes 240 hp in the 328i. The 328d’s 180-hp, turbo-diesel four-cylinder also carries over. Standard across the lineup is an 8-speed automatic; a six-speed manual is a no-cost option on 320i, 328i, 340i and 340i xDrive models.
BMW also said it retuned the 3’s suspension (the standard setup as well as the M Sport Suspension and the Adaptive M Suspension options) for better handling. An available Track Handling Package is newly available this year for gas-only models and includes variable sport steering, an Adaptive M Suspension, M Sport brakes with blue calipers and 18-inch alloy wheels with Michelin Super Sport tires.
Pricing for the 2016 BMW 3 Series has not yet been announced; it will go on sale this summer. BMW also announced it will bring a plug-in hybrid version of the 3 Series to market at some point in 2016. The 330e will be powered by a plug-in hybrid drive system with a combined output of around 250 hp. BMW says the plug-in will be capable of going from zero-to-60 mph in 6.1 seconds, with a top speed of 140 mph. It expects the 330e to be able to travel up to 22 miles in all-electric mode. No word yet on pricing or availability.
Check out the gallery below.
