New BMW 3 Series Coupe In Depth

Page 1: Introduction
Page 2: Concept
Page 3: Design
Page 4: Power Units
Page 5: Automatic Trans.
Page 6: Suspension
Page 7: All Wheel Drive
Page 8: Body & Safety
Page 9: Light Concept
Page 10: Features/Equipment
Page 11: Production
Page 12: History

Design

More Expressive, More Dynamic, More Different

• Classic Coupé lines with innovative design features

• Clear BMW identity, unmistakable look

• Characteristic design features to the last detail

Despite its close technical resemblance to the Saloon and Touring, the new BMW 3 Series Coupé is more unique, more distinctive in its design than ever before. From every angle, from all perspectives, the new two-door model stands out as a genuine BMW but also as a true individualist in every respect. In the design of its body, it is free of any boastful effects, but rather leaves behind a lasting impression of positive style and character. The overall appearance of the car is smooth and harmonious, with perfect proportions and maturity to the last detail. In a nutshell, therefore, the new BMW 3 Series Coupé offers powerful elegance in its most modern form.

With its long engine compartment lid, long and dynamic wheelbase, the passenger cell moved far to the rear, and the short body overhang at the front, the BMW 3 Series Coupé clearly demonstrates its dynamic orientation. Through the perfect balance of proportions alone, this sporting character is smoothly combined with elegance and a touch of lightness. The transition from the engine compartment to the low-slung A-pillars as well as the smooth and low roofline merging elegantly into the rear end of the car are all determined by this harmonious flow of lines and contours.

Superior aerodynamics.

Considering the aerodynamic qualities of the new BMW 3 Series Coupé, one clearly sees the close connection of the car’s optical appearance and its dynamic driving potential. Right from the start in the early phases of design, the aerodynamic experts were able to exert a strong and important influence on the design of the front air dam, the side-sills, and rear section. Then, with the design process continuing, they specifically and carefully optimised the car’s aerodynamic edges and contour lips. And last but certainly not least, the particularly smooth underfloor of the new Coupé also makes an important contribution to the favourable flow of air and pressure conditions.

Special aerodynamic improvements optimised to the highest standard have been developed for virtually every engine variant. So depending on the model, the drag coefficient of the new BMW 3 Series Coupé varies from Cd = 0.28 to Cd = 0.30.

Apart from the car’s low level of air drag, the aerodynamic improvements also ensure an accurately directed flow of air for minimum lift both front and rear, both the good streamlining and lift forces reduced to a minimum benefiting the straight-ahead and lateral dynamics of the new BMW 3 Series Coupé. And last but not least, the special design and contours of the underfloor allow direct, appropriately controlled flow of air to components such as the brakes and exhaust system subjected to particularly high temperatures.

Sleek dynamics characterising the side-view of the new Coupé.

The optical impression of a coupé is characterised in particular by its side view. So it is only obvious that on the new BMW 3 Series Coupé the flowing silhouette of the car clearly spells out all the passion of dynamic motoring.

The long wheelbase as well as the low roofline gently tapering into the rear end of the car characterise the sleek and stretched design of the 3 Series Coupé, while the large and voluminous wheel arches exude a touch of power and solidity. The entire body of the car, finally, shows a slight wedge look extending from the front end of the engine compartment lid all the way to the low rear end.

Apart from the car’s proportions, particularly the shoulder, character and side-sill lines determine the strong impression of the new Coupé’s optical effect. The shoulder line and character line flowing through the door
handles extend all the way to the low-slung rear end of the car. With these lines being neither shortened nor interrupted, the beholder is able to follow the lines quickly and without any distraction from front to rear. The side-sill line at the bottom edge of the door is likewise continued in both the front and rear air dams, again helping to give the Coupé a sporting and sleek look.

Powerful lines for powerful tension.

Smooth, consistent interaction of the various lines again provides a dynamic impression of power and performance. While the shoulder line rises up slightly but consistently to the rear, offering an impression of superior elegance together with the flat roof line, the character line follows a long and stretched arch from the front wheel all the way to the rear lights. By contrast, the side-sill line rises up smoothly and gently to the rear, the gap between the character and sill-sill line thus becoming smaller towards the rear wheel arches. And it is precisely here that the powerful look of the wheel arches gives the character line a distinctive sign of tension and excitement both to the top and to the outside.

Precisely this interplay of lines and surfaces provides a striking three-dimensional effect guiding not only a lot of light, but also the eyes of the beholder straight towards the area around the rear wheels. And again,
this effect is quite intentional, with the optical impression confirming the driving experience, rear-wheel drive serving as the source for outstanding dynamics also in the new BMW 3 Series Coupé.

Low-slung front end with clearly focusing headlights.

The front view of the car again stands out clearly from the Saloon and Touring, both the contours of the engine compartment and the design of the front air dam and headlights giving the new BMW 3 Series Coupé a low and sporting appearance. The headlights, in turn, extend far into the wheel arches, adding particular dynamism and momentum to the width of the car.

The powerdome arching above the drive unit is particularly muscular and impressive in its look, its lines following a dynamic curve extending all the way from the A-pillars to the outside of the low and dynamic BMW kidney grille. The “kidney�' itself, the typical sign of distinction to be admired on every BMW, stands out more upright than its surrounding areas. Interacting with the three-dimensional kidney frame, this creates a powerful, unique and highly distinctive graphic impression.

The headlight units on the new BMW 3 Series Coupé also show their clear, individual contours. Particularly dynamic and low-slung, the headlights at the top extend along one graphic line into the air intake. The engine compartment lid protrudes beyond the headlight units and the dual round headlights appear to be literally cut off at the top, creating the impression of strong, self-confident eyes gazing at the beholder.

Characteristic: corona rings for daytime illumination.

The new BMW 3 Series Coupé comes as standard with bi-xenon headlights – and at the same time the round headlight units feature corona rings serving as daytime driving lights. As a result, the new Coupé offers a particularly attractive solution to the requirement already imposed in many countries to switch on the headlights during the day. Indeed, these striking light rings make the new BMW 3 Series Coupé particularly easy to recognise also at dusk, with the car being clearly identifiable as a genuine BMW.

The design of the rear lights also ensures clear perception and individual looks. Integrated flush into the rear end and the side of the car, the rear light clusters are split up into two sections and extend all the way to the trunk lid. The character lines as seen from the side, in turn, continue into the outer surfaces of the rear lights.

LED-fed, horizontal light rods give the night design of the new BMW 3 Series Coupé a truly unmistakable look, similar to the corona rings in the headlights. As a result, the entire rear view is characterised by
horizontal lines accentuating the wide track of the car as well as its low and sporting impression also from this perspective.

Door seams with dynamic contours.

Like its predecessor, the new BMW 3 Series Coupé once again comes with frameless door windows forming one optical unit with the rear side windows fitted in position.

With extra-large doors being the usual standard on a coupé, the new BMW 3 Series Coupé comes not only with such large doors, but also with distinctive door seams strongly accentuating the dynamic character and
style of the car. These door seams extend from the lower edge of the window towards the rear wheel, interacting with the character line and then changing in direction by swinging to the front. At the bottom the door seams flow gently into the side-sill seams extending the visible impression of door length and thus additionally accentuating the sporting look of the car also from the rear.

“Hofmeister kick�' in particularly attractive style.

Creating the new BMW 3 Series Coupé, BMW’s designers sought to give the car a truly unique look harmonious all the way to the smallest detail. Precisely this is why the legendary “Hofmeister kick�' swinging to the front at the bottom of the C-pillar is now rendered in a new, even more distinctive style, extending to the front into the shoulder line of the car at an even clearer and more distinctive angle.

To provide this flow of lines emphasising the dynamic look of the Coupé, the chrome trim in the side window surround is now made in one single piece, again substantiating the sophisticated style and value of the car. Similarly, the rear-view mirrors have also been created especially for the BMW 3 Series Coupé, their contours taking up the side lines of the car, with the mirrors harmonising smoothly with the vehicle’s overall design.

Last but not least, this individual style is also borne out by the wide rangeof colours available, no less than six new paintwork colours marking the debut of the BMW 3 Series Coupé and its entry into the market.

Flowing lines also within the interior.

The emphasis on individual style, dynamic performance, and exclusive character continues throughout the interior of the car. Horizontal lines dominating the area around the instrument panel and the flowing surfaces extending from the centre console and side panels give the interior a light and, at the same time, dynamic touch. While the upper section of the instrument panel is angled towards the driver, the controls and instruments for air conditioning, audio and navigation purposes are also within optimum reach and direct vision from the front passenger’s seat.

The side panels flow smoothly and consistently from front to rear, creating an overall contour extending from the dashboard at the front all the way to the backrests on the rear seats. The form and function of the centre console, in turn, is re-interpreted by the storage compartment between the rear seats, with light effects, carefully harmonised colours and diligent choice of materials in the new BMW 3 Series Coupé creating a unique ambience.

The light bar running along the inner door and side panels available as an option adds a particular touch of style and class: Sealed off at the top, this row of lights runs above the armrests from the door hinges all the way to the rear, providing a pleasant glow of warm, indirect light. Controls such as the door openers and gearshift lever are finished in particularly high-quality metal to provide exclusive flair not only through their looks, but also in their touch.

Exclusive upholstery and colour variants.

Given its low-slung roof and high-rising shoulder line, the BMW 3 Series Coupé comes with smaller window areas than its Saloon counterpart, thus reducing direct sunglare but creating new challenges in the design of the interior. Hence, the choice of colours for the interior and upholstery in the new BMW 3 Series Coupé not only has a significant influence on the ambience within the car, but also offers a wide range of options to customise the various features and highlights. Precisely this is why the upholstery, roof liner and other interior features are available in new colour schemes reserved exclusively to the BMW 3 Series Coupé. In particular, light colours within the interior accentuate the elegant style and character of this two-door performer, while a darker ambience allows the driver to highlight the sporting and dynamic character of his – or her – Coupé.

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