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BMW has launched the new 2012 3-Series (F30) in India. The German automaker has offered the new BMW 3-Series with two engine options, 320d and 328i, both of which use 2.0-litre turbocharged engines and are available across 5 variants. With diesel being the more popular fuel of choice, the company has chosen to offer 4 diesel engined variants. The 2012 BMW 320d produces 181 BHP of peak power at 4000 RPM and 380 Nm of peak torque between 1750 and 2750 RPM. The F30 BMW 328i produces 241 BHP of peak power between 5000 to 6500 RPM and 350 Nm of peak torque between 1250 to 4800 RPM. Power is transferred to the rear wheels and the engine is mated to a 8-speed automatic gearbox.

The 2012 BMW 3-Series range starts at Rs. 28.9 lakhs for the base 320d, while the BMW 320d Sport Line and 320d Luxury Line are priced at Rs. 31.5 lakhs each. The BMW 320d Luxury Plus is priced at Rs. 36.9 lakhs and the BMW 328i Sport Line is priced at Rs. 37.9 lakhs, which is the top end variant (all prices ex-showroom, Delhi). The new 3-Series is a huge leap over the E90 3-Series, which lacked interior space. BMW has already received 500 bookings for the new 3-Series and the company is going all out to promote it.

Read our first drive impressions of the new BMW 3-Series (F30)

The new BMW 3-Series will continue to be brought into India via the CKD route with assembly happening at BMW’s Chennai facility. The company has roped in Sachin Tendulkar as the brand ambassador, who unveiled the car at the launch. The sixth generation 3-Series boasts of larger dimensions, with the car longer by 93 mm and wheelbase bigger by 50 mm compared to its predecessor. The new 3-Series also has 14 mm increase in knee room, 8 mm increase in head room and 20-litres increase in boot capacity (to 480-liters).

The 2012 BMW 3-Series is loaded with more features including ECO PRO mode (which reduces consumption and boosts mileage), Brake Energy Regeneration, Lightweight Construction, 50:50 Weight Distribution and Auto Start-Stop system. Other than the ECO PRO driving mode, the new 3-Series also includes Comfort, Sport and Sport + (available only in 328i) modes. The BMW 320d reaches 100 km/h in 7.6 seconds and has a top speed of 235 km/h. The BMW 328i reaches 100 km/h in 6.1 seconds and has a top speed of 250 km/h.

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