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
Chassis and Suspension
Where Power becomes Performance
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Most advanced suspension through the entire segment
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DSC with upgraded functions
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High-performance brake system with permanent wear indicator
The new BMW 3 Series Coupé derives its fascinating supremacy from its unique ability to combine outstanding engine power and performance at all times with exclusive and elegant looks. And the same high standard has been applied in the development and set-up of the car’s suspension, giving the new BMW 3 Series Coupé a level of agility quite unique even in this segment.
The driver and his passengers enjoy a particularly intense experience of this superior agility since the new BMW 3 Series Coupé not only offers a significantly higher standard of driving dynamics, but also features the most sophisticated suspension control and assistance system for supreme agility and safety in every situation, even when driving to the absolute limit. In a nutshell, the driver and his passengers enjoy superior safety at all speeds and at all times.
The new BMW 3 Series Coupé boasts the most sophisticated and demanding suspension in its class, very effective high-performance brakes, and the latest generation of BMW’s DSC Dynamic Stability Control. Indeed, numerous innovative DSC functions promote both driving dynamics and safety in all situations on the road.
The most advanced suspension in the entire segment.
Featuring rear-wheel drive and 50:50 weight distribution front-to-rear, the new BMW 3 Series Coupé offers ideal qualities for optimum driving dynamics. The high-tech suspension, in turn, serves to perfectly convert the car’s power and performance into supreme driving pleasure. Featuring a double-joint tiebar spring-strut axle at the front made largely of aluminium and a five-arm axle at the rear, the new BMW 3 Series Coupé has the currently most advanced and sophisticated suspension of all cars in its class. Specific reinforcements on the underfloor of the car help to provide optimum stiffness. Together with the low centre of gravity of the body and the specific set-up of the dampers, this contributes in particular to the active driving qualities of BMW’s new Coupé. Rack-and-pinion steering ultra-precise at all times and free of any drive forces thanks to the transmission of power to the rear wheels ensures a high standard of directional accuracy and precise feedback on road conditions.
Active Steering for extra precision and comfort.
The new BMW 3 Series Coupé comes as an option with BMW’s innovative Active Steering. In a special version tailored specifically to this model, Active Steering varies the steering transmission ratio, steering angle and steering assistance as a function of driving conditions and road speed. The wheel position required in each case is controlled by a planetary gearbox integrated in the steering column and a variable electric motor.
At high speeds on the Autobahn, to mention just one example, Active Steering reduces the steering angle of the front wheels and makes it much easier for the driver to remain precisely on track, with particularly safe and precise steering commands.
At medium and low speeds, on the other hand, Active Steering not only increases steering assistance, but also adjusts the steering transmission ratio to current requirements, enabling the driver to maintain supreme steering precision in his BMW 3 Series Coupé even on winding and very demanding country roads. Whenever the wheels are turned to a greater angle, for example when parking or manoeuvring in confined spaces, Active Steering offers the driver effortless comfort and smooth superiority, enabling him to manoeuvre into and out of confined parking spaces, for example, with any effort reduced to a minimum.
A further important feature is that Active Steering on the new BMW 3 Series Coupé is directly networked to DSC Dynamic Stability Control, thus helping to correct the steering angle of the front wheels whenever required to stabilise the car. The information required for this purpose is provided by the DSC sensors.
This function serves, inter alia, to counteract understeer in dynamic bends even before DSC stability control is required to intervene in the brakes or engine management.
The brakes – powerful and free of fading.
The high-performance brakes running on 17-inch wheels required to accommodate the larger brake discs ensure excellent stopping power and acceleration with minimum fading. Indeed, the brakes are further enhanced in their efficiency by various innovative functions now integrated in DSC Dynamic Stability Control: The latest generation of DSC on the BMW 3 Series Coupé not only masterminds the ABS anti-lock function, but also ensures enhanced stability on slippery surfaces by intervening in the appropriate wheel brakes.
A further point is that DSC sets off any drop in stopping power under extremely high brake temperatures by an appropriate increase in brake pressure. This maintains the full effect of the brakes even under the highest loads, without requiring the driver to exert higher pressure on the brake pedal or press down the pedal any further.
DSC with innovative additional functions.
Pre-loading the brake pads enhances brake readiness in situations expected to require immediate deceleration. Regular Dry Braking optimises brake power under wet conditions, while DBC Dynamic Brake Control automatically maximises brake pressure whenever the driver needs particularly powerful deceleration. The Soft-Stop function, in turn, prevents the car from coming to a standstill with a sudden jolt when braking, and Set-Off Assistance prevents the car from rolling back on an uphill gradient.
Yet a further highlight of DSC Dynamic Stability Control is BMW’s CBC Cornering Brake Control preventing the car from swerving when the driver applies the brakes slightly in a bend.
In combination with Active Steering, DSC ensures additional stability not only in bends, but also when applying the brakes on surfaces varying in their frictional coefficient. So where otherwise the driver is required to intervene manually in the steering, this is now done quickly and precisely by the Active Steering itself.
Continuous brake pad wear display.
Yet another innovative feature offered by BMW as the first car maker in the world is the continuous brake wear display providing information at all times on the current condition of the brake pads. With sensors permanently monitoring the condition of the brake pads also on the new BMW 3 Series Coupé, the data obtained in this way allows the control unit to calculate the mileage still remaining until the brake pads have to be replaced, with appropriate information being presented to the driver in the cockpit display. This ensures preventive action for optimum brake power at all times and avoids the need for unnecessary service and maintenance.
Integrated ASC Automatic Stability Control serves to optimise traction by applying the brakes on the drive wheels when spinning and thus controlling wheel spin on loose ground. Activation of the DTC Dynamic Traction Control mode raises the response thresholds for intervention of the brakes, enabling the driver of a BMW 3 Series Coupé to set off smoothly on, say, loose snow with the drive wheels slightly spinning.
DTC also supports a particularly sporting and active style of motoring: Once activated, DTC allows slight, easily controllable slip on the drive wheels also on a dry surface, enabling the ambitious driver to enjoy all the advantages of a controlled power slide in sporting bends in the new BMW 3 Series Coupé.
A final point is that DSC may be fully deactivated by the driver in the new BMW 3 Series Coupé whenever he wishes.
The new BMW 3 Series Coupé comes as standard on light-alloy wheels running on 225/45 R 17 tyres. These tyres have runflat qualities, allowing the driver to continue for up to 250 kilometres or 155 miles even on a completely empty tyre. Yet a further feature is the tyre defect indicator permanently monitoring air pressure within the tyres and giving the driver a clear warning as soon as pressure drops more than 30 per cent below the ideal level.
Cruise control with brake function and ACC.
Cruise control available as an option in the new BMW 3 Series Coupé in two variants ensures additional comfort for travelling in style. Both of these cruise control options offer additional functions over and above the usual standard provided by conventional cruise control: Cruise control with a brake function is able to maintain the speed set by the driver consistently also when driving downhill. And should the driver choose a speed on the control lever lower than the current speed of the car, the system will apply the brakes to reduce road speed to the new level. On cars with a manual gearbox the driver is even able to shift gears without deactivating the function – and moving the control lever he can change his desired speed without even being required to press down the gas or brake pedal. All the driver has to do in this case is press the control lever a bit longer to the front in order to accelerate in specific, predetermined steps, while pulling the brake back he will reduce his road speed step-by-step.
ACC Active Cruise Control gives the driver an even higher level of support and comfort. The additional feature in this case is automatic distance control allowing the driver to cruise along in style on the motorway or country roads, without having to intervene. In this process the driver is able to choose among four distance levels, ACC automatically but carefully adjusting the speed of the Coupé to traffic conditions whenever the car drops below the distance to the vehicle ahead set by the driver in advance. Then, as soon as the lane ahead is free again, ACC raises the speed level to the velocity originally entered.
Features of this kind and quality ensure stress-free cruising in the BMW 3 Series Coupé in particular style and comfort. And even with ACC fully active, the driver is able to control the speed of his car at any time simply by pressing down the accelerator or applying the brakes.
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