[Taboleo] Changing Its Core and Adding Four Wheels... The Tough One That Ran on the Autobahn Is Coming

BMW Bestselling Car New 3 Series
M340i xDrive·320d Touring First Test Drive in Germany

BMW M340i xDrive interior. The 7th generation facelift model is scheduled to be released domestically later this year. The most significant change compared to the previous model is the vehicle's interior. The curved display applied to existing models such as the iX and i4 will be similarly implemented in upcoming new BMW models.

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Dae-yeol] I had the opportunity to preview BMW's new 3 Series in Germany, specifically the M340i xDrive sedan, which has a strong enthusiast following, and the 320d Touring wagon. As a D-segment vehicle, equivalent to a mid-size car in Korea, it represents the BMW brand and ranks first and second in sales within the same segment in Europe, the birthplace of automobiles.

Since its debut in 1975, over 16 million units have been sold worldwide. After the 7th generation model launched in 2019, it underwent a facelift three years later and was released overseas, including Europe, this July. The domestic launch is scheduled for the end of this year.

While the drivetrain remains unchanged, the exterior and interior have been redesigned and new features added. Robert Losch, the BMW manager in charge of the new car development project, said, "We aimed to dynamically refine the exterior design while elevating the digital experience for passengers to a new level."

The front headlights have become sleeker, with the daytime running lights flipped into an L-shape, giving a strong impression. BMW’s signature kidney grille has been recontoured and features a double-bar design for a more three-dimensional feel. The lower front bumper air intake is hexagonal honeycomb-shaped, and the air curtains on both ends are vertically refined.

The interior changes are close to a complete overhaul. While the previous model had separate displays for the instrument cluster and the floating dashboard center, the new model applies a curved display that integrates the instrument cluster and center display. This design, also seen in the recently launched i4 and iX in Korea, will be used in upcoming BMW models for the foreseeable future. The instrument cluster display measures 12.3 inches, and the central control display is 14.9 inches. The traditional gear knob, known for its tactile feel, has been replaced by an easy-to-use toggle switch.

BMW M340i xDrive. 7th generation facelift new model

The infotainment system has been upgraded to the 8th generation BMW iDrive, making it smarter. It can connect directly to a personal smartphone without separate operation. Even though this is a model released in Germany, it displayed Korean messages and allowed intuitive use of basic functions such as message sending and music playback when connected to a smartphone. This was designed to make it easier for drivers to interact with the vehicle. It is also impressive that physical buttons and switches have been minimized in favor of touchscreen and voice recognition controls.

Interior of the new BMW 3 Series. It easily connects with smartphones, making Android Auto or CarPlay connection simple. (Top photo) This vehicle is a model released in Germany and does not support Korean separately, but Korean characters are displayed without additional settings on a separate operating system. It is possible to receive and send text messages by linking with a smartphone.

Choosing the M Sport Package changes the grille, bumper, and wheel designs. The M Performance package further modifies the exhaust tailpipes and mirror cap designs. The new 3 Series adds a new specification called M Sport Package Pro between these two options. There are also exclusive exterior colors available only for M Package vehicles. Driver assistance systems have been improved as well. The forward collision warning system can now detect not only cars and pedestrians but also bicycles, enabling brake intervention. Additionally, lane change warning, head-up display, automatic speed limit assist, and traffic light detection functions are available as optional features. Popular options are likely to be standard in the domestic market.

Except for a slight extension of the front bumper, there are no significant changes affecting driving performance, so the drivetrain and suspension settings remain unchanged. The M340i, which was previously available only with rear-wheel drive in Korea, now offers all-wheel drive, improving performance slightly.

This model appeals to potential buyers seeking both 'reality' and 'ideal' by offering a solid chassis and respectable performance while maintaining comfortable driving in basic mode. The 320d Touring also retains the unique spaciousness that BMW wagons provide. Misha Bachmann, the BMW manager responsible for driving dynamics during the new car development, said, "We focused on achieving a balance between comfort and sportiness."

Munich and Regensburg, Germany ? Reporter Choi Dae-yeol dychoi@

BMW 320d Touring. 7th generation facelift new model

BMW 320d Touring trunk section. 7th generation facelift new model

Interior of the new BMW M340i xDrive. The gear knob has disappeared and been replaced with a toggle switch system.