|
|
|
|
BMW Concepts BMW Cars
©
1998 - 2007 Copyright & |
BMW: BMW 3 Series 2002
The BMW 3 Series Model Year 2002
The comprehensive update of the BMW 3 Series in the 2002 Model Year is continuing BMW's policy already initiated by the 3 Series compact of distinguishing even more clearly between the individual body variants, the saloon and touring receiving a new front end as a sign of even greater power and presence and thus standing out clearly from the coupé and convertible.
More power on less fuel: The new engines. The new four-cylinder diesel and petrol engines in the BMW 3 Series feature the most advanced engine technology for even more performance, extra comfort and enhanced fuel efficiency. The diesel models fulfil the EU3 emission standard, the petrol engines Comfortable or sporting and dynamic, like in Formula 1: The new transmissions. As an option the new four-cylinder petrol engines may be combined with five-speed automatic transmission replacing the former four-speed version. While the automatic transmission is intended particularly for the motorist looking for supreme gearshift comfort and refined motoring in style, shifting gears manually by means of the integrated Steptronic function only from time to time, the major innovation now boasted by the 3 Series is based on a very different perspective.
A further advantage of
the sequential manual gearbox is that it is absolutely fool-proof, avoiding
mistakes when shifting gears in every situation and giving the sports
driver maximum power and performance also in this respect. The less
dynamic driver also benefits from this absolutely reliable gearshift
through the extra driving safety ensured by SMG. The sequential manual
gearbox also featuring a cruise mode providing an automatic gearshift
should not be regarded as a low-price alternative to the automatic transmission,
however. The customers most enthusiastic about SMG, therefore, will
be drivers who so far have always opted for a manual gearbox, such customers
continuing to change gears manually and using the automatic cruise mode
only in exceptional situations. |
|
||||||
|
Sheer driving pleasure ensured by even greater agility.
To give the customer an even better and more direct experience of the sporting characteristics boasted by the BMW 3 Series, all models are receiving a number of detailed modifications on the suspension and steering as of model year 2002, with the objective to enhance the handling of the car, as superior as it already is, to an even higher level of agility on the road. These are the same improvements already featured on the 3 Series compact as of its launch into the market in June 2001 and in all body variants of the 330i as of April 2001. To be specific, the spring and damper settings on the front and rear axles have been retuned for even sportier and more dynamic performance, together with a reduction of suspension elasticity thanks to the rubber mounts for the chassis components now even stiffer than before. The result is significantly enhanced grip also on bumpy roads, without any loss of driving comfort worth mentioning. The BMW 3 Series therefore literally "hugs" the road, taking bends on winding country roads with absolute ease and supremacy and proceeding smoothly and exactly on line on long straight-ahead stretches of the motorway or the Autobahn. DSC Driving Stability Control even more flexible in use. Becoming a standard feature of all 3 Series in the 2002 model year, DSC Dynamic Stability Control now offers even more individual advantages benefitting in particular the sporting and ambitious driver thanks to an extension of its functions. Photos: BMW AG
|
||||||||
)
)