India-bound 2019 BMW 3 Series 55kg lighter, first details revealed

BMW has announced that the 2019 BMW 3 Series is one step further in entering serial production, ahead of which the company's engineers are testing the sedan at the Nürburgring. Along with the announcement, the company has released the first details of its redesigned sports sedan.

BMW says that the 2019 BMW 3 Series has a "comprehensive renewal of wheel suspension, steering, damping/suspension and brakes" and that ride comfort and performance have been optimised. The seventh generation model (codename: BMW G20) features a center of gravity that is 10 mm lower than its predecessor, and a 50:50 weight distribution between the axles. Speaking of weight, BMW confirms a 55 kg reduction over the current F30 model.

The 2019 BMW 3 Series gets an "innovative" damping system, and the first even lift-related dampers to be fitted to a BMW model. These dampers are claimed to better ride quality and improve driving dynamics. As reported earlier, the G20 3 Series rides on the stiffer CLAR rear-wheel drive platform.

BMW has confirmed a thoroughly revised four-cylinder petrol engine, which is the "most powerful four-cylinder engine ever to be fitted in a BMW series production model", but with improved fuel efficiency to the tune of 5%, thanks to the revised 8-speed Steptronic transmission.

Reports have suggested that there will be two plug-in hybrid variants on the all-new 3-er, with 1.5- and 2.0-liter petrol engines paired to an electric motor. However, an all-electric 3 Series will not be produced.

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With the G20 3 Series having a late-2018 European launch, it is expected in the Indian market towards the second half of 2019. Like the current F30, BMW India will assemble the new 3 Series with a high degree of localization at its Chennai plant.