The New BMW 3 Series

Body: Lighter, stiffer, safer.

Stiffer and lighter than before, the bodyshell of the new BMW 3 Series benefits from lightweight engineering via latest-generation steel and moulding technologies. A new joint and crossbar design for the car's load-bearing structure increases body stiffness by 25 per cent, with no weight gain over the E46.

Side impact protection: The safest 3 Series yet.

The new BMW 3 Series is designed to achieve best results in the EuroNCAP crash test. It is also one of the first cars in the world fully prepared for the extremely demanding side-impact requirements in the USA as well as the US high-speed rear impact test.

In addition to optimised belt systems, the passenger safety system comes as standard with six airbags: front airbags for the driver and front passenger, hip/thorax airbags, and curtain head airbags.

Proven technology for extra safety.

While dual halogen headlights are standard, customers may select bi-xenon headlights with or without an adaptive light function as an option. Dynamically adjusting the position of the headlights in an infinite process, the bi-xenon headlights with adaptive headlight function ensure perfect illumination of the road ahead geared to current driving requirements.

The result is much better visibility for the driver. This pays off particularly in bends, where the headlights dynamically follow the course of the road, to quite literally guide the driver along.

...continued