The BMW 3 Series is regarded as one of the most popular series of luxury cars on the road today. The 3 Series sedan is considered the luxury sedan of choice, year after year, in auto reviews. With a slight face lift and some engine modifications, the 2011 BMW 3 Series is now available for sale. Read on for the results of our road test of the new 3 Series sedan.
Performance
Like most auto manufacturers, BMW is aiming to make fuel economy and overall efficiency a priority, and the 2011 3 Series group is no different. In fact, BMW has a program called Efficient Dynamics that’s expected to be a leading part of the fuel-efficiency push in the auto industry. Thanks to that gas-sipping technology, the 2011 BMW 3 Series lineup now offers an N55 model that is more fuel-efficient and cleaner-burning than its predecessors. Other models should still achieve the 18/28 mpg city/highway rating of the 2010 model. The engine in the 328i remains the same for 2011, but places a single, twin-scroll turbocharger engine with 300 horsepower in the 335i model. All 3 Series models have 0-60 times of around five seconds. Handling and braking are solid, with a six-speed manual drivetrain standard and a six-speed auto optional.
Exterior and Interior Features
BMW made only a few cosmetic changes to the 3 Series for 2011. Auto reviews refer to the design changes as a “facelift.” The 2011 BMW is longer and slightly higher than the previous model. New exterior features include horizontal chrome blades, LED lighting in the front and the rear, a lifted back end, new bumpers, and new rocker panels and sideview mirrors. See photos of the 2011 3 Series in our gallery.
Inside, BMW has done very little with the cabin of the 2011 3 Series, which is a good thing considering how enamored car reviews are of it. The intimate, well-appointed cabin of the BMW 3 Series is a wonder to behold. The iDrive control system remains optional for 2011, and the steering-wheel shift paddles for models with automatic transmissions were redesigned for the new year.
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