The Business Exchange Swindon & Wiltshire Edition 40: Dec/Jan 2018/19 | Page 30

REVVED UP Introducing the new BMW 3 Series @DriveWrite For over forty years the BMW 3 Series Saloon has always had an unparalleled reputation for both quality and supreme handling in the premium mid-size segment. The statement design of ‘long bonnet, short back’ makes the car look fast standing still. Nevertheless, BMW has decided it is time for a change and have introduced the seventh iteration of this great car. With, say the Company, exceptional efficiency and innovative features, time will tell if the revised shape will appeal to buyers in the same way. Available from March 2019, prices will start at around £33,000. THE OUTSIDE The new 3 Series has had its proportions radically revised. It’s longer, wider and the wheelbase has been extended. At the front, the large, traditional BMW kidney grille is framed by a single surround and split up by wide bars and link to the headlight units. The customary BMW twin headlights feature the familiar two-way split that is further emphasised by an eye-catching notch in the front apron that rises into the headlight contour. A pair of character lines rise to the rear of the car at door-handle level and a contour line near the side skirts guides the eye to the rear wheel arches. From launch, customers can choose from two non-metallic colours and ten metallic shades including the brand new Portimao Blue metallic which is unique to the top-selling M Sport model. INTERIOR The interior feels spacious and oriented to the driver. The instrument panel has a modern, light look with horizontal lines, high- quality electroplated trim strips and contours that extend into the doors. The newly-designed instrument cluster and Control Display form a large surfaced screen grouping, while the controls not included in these units are arranged into clearly structured function panels. As can be seen from the image the layout is very modern, neat and tidy, with additional controls on the steering wheel. The start/stop button for the engine is now positioned in a control panel in the centre console that houses the gear-shift lever or newly designed selector lever, the iDrive Controller, electromechanical parking brake and the buttons for the Driving Experience Control switch unit. At all trim levels BMW have increased the standard equipment. You’ll still have to dip into the options list though. The entry model now features a leather Sport steering wheel and BMW Live Cockpit plus, with its 8.8-inch central instrument cluster. SE, Sport variants add equipment. Then of course, there’s the M Sport model. The M Sport model features particularly large air intakes as well as a different design for the front bumper, side skirts and rear apron. Inside there are Sports seats, an M leather steering wheel, an anthracite- coloured BMW Individual headliner and interior trim strips in Aluminium Tetragon, updated Vernasca leather seat trims and heated front seats. The M Sport model will also feature as standard the new BMW Live Cockpit Professional with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, 10.3-inch central instrument cluster and BMWs brand new ID7 operating system. UNDER THE SKIN The upgraded four-cylinder engines from the BMW Group’s Efficient Dynamics family are used in the BMW 330i and the BMW 320d. The 3 Series Saloon will feature a new- generation six-speed manual gearbox and the eight-speed Steptronic transmission. As an alternative to rear-wheel drive, the BMW xDrive all-wheel-drive system will also be available for the new BMW 320d at launch which is a nice touch. Early reports say that the car’s driving dynamics are up there with the best as BMW fans would expect, but the competition is getting more fierce as anyone who has driven the Alfa Romeo Guilia will tell you. Written by Geoff Maxted www.drivewrite.co.uk Conferences at Cumberwell Park WHAT WE OFFER Hire of meeting room set up to your requirements Integrated audio visual equipment Free WiFi Flip chart and pens Delegate note pad and pencils Bottled water Cordial and Sweets Free parking Tea and Coffee with Danish Pastry Working Lunches We can supply additional equipment, such as lapel microphones, staging, flip charts, screens, TV/DVD, data projector or laptops. OUR ROOMS Hayswood Max Capacity Boardroom 40, Classroom 70, U-Shape 38 Theatre Style 150, Cabaret 60 - 80 Rushmead Max Capacity Boardroom 24, Classroom 30, U-Shape 26 Theatre Style 60 - 80, Cabaret 30 - 36, Farleigh Max Capacity Boardroom 20 - 24, Classroom 20, Theatre Style 40 FREE ROOM HIRE with your first booking Terms and Conditions apply For bookings or more information please contact our events team on 01225 863322 or email: [email protected] 30 THE BUSINESS EXCHANGE 2018