New BMW 3 Series saloon

BMW has released the first pictures and details of their new 3 Series, the sixth generation of the world’s best selling premium saloon car. The new BMW 3 Series goes on sale in February 2012 with four engines at launch (see below), with more to follow.

The new 3 Series offers more space, comfort and luxury and is slightly longer than the outgoing model and there will also be more trim levels available. The new BMW 3 Series comes in ES, SE, Sport and, in 2012, M Sport versions of the saloon, but there will be trim levels, namely Sport , Modern and Luxury, all offering their own unique DNA.  At launch the popular ES and SE will be available, with the other trims following on later next year and BMW also has plans for a four-wheel drive and hybrid version too.

An eight-speed automatic gearbox (instead of six-speed) is now available right across the range and all versions also feature Drive Performance Control as standard. This allows you to switch between four driving modes – ECO PRO, Comfort, Sport and Sport + (Sport + is only included on Sport models or with some selected optional equipment). All engines will also feature BMW TwinPower Turbo technology and VALVETRONIC variable valve opening technology.

New BMW 3 Series saloon

All models have 17-inch light alloy wheels with run-flat tyres linked to a Tyre Puncture Warning System as standard, apart from the 320d EfficientDynamics, which has 16-inch aerodynamic alloys and non-Run-flat tyres. 

The range at launch:

BMW 320d

The BMW Group has been scooped the top prize at the Green Fleet Awards 2010 and has been crowned “Fleet Car Manufacturer of the Year” for the third year in a row. BMW has shown the greatest improvements in reducing CO2 emissions and improving fuel efficiency with its innovative EfficientDynamics technologies.

For example the new BMW 5 Series has significantly lower CO2 emissions than its predecessor at 129g/km for the BMW 520d and of course there is the BMW 320d EfficientDynamics at 109g/km.

Angela Pisanu, Editor of Green Fleet, said,”Through its EfficientDynamics initiative, BMW has continued to raise the bar in respect of delivering class leading reductions in carbon dioxide emissions whilst at the same time maintaining exceptional vehicle performance and economy. BMW’s achievements in small, medium and in particular the upper fleet vehicle sector convinced us that the firm is once again a worthy winner”. BMW business car leasing prices on all EfficientDynamics models can be found on the site now.

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A remarkable BMW business contract hire offer is on the site for a BMW 320d EfficientDynamics 4-door saloon manual from only £290.40+VAT per month. This great looking diesel saloon offers you 68.9 combined mpg and only emits 109g/km of CO2 emissions, making it an ideal company car for any business.

BMW business contract hire terms are based on the following;

- Non-maintained business contract hire over a three year contract at 10,000 miles per year – total 30,000 miles.

- Only three month rentals in advance followed by 35 subsequent rentals.

-  This totals 38 equal payments

- “With maintenance”, metallic paint and all other accessory options can be added to your vehicle at an extra cost to the rental shown above.

-  Please note the image we have shown may not represent the exact model.

-  Pricing is subject to change at any time and must be verified directly with each vehicle leasing supplier.

BMW 5 Series Saloon

BMW has had seven awards given to them by BusinessCar, on the of the UK’s fleet news publications, mainly due to its EfficientDynamics programme. They picked up “Manufacturer of the Year”,”Environmental Award of the Year” plus five other product specific awards as follows.

1. MINI was awarded “Supermini of the Year”.
2. The three and five door BMW 1 Series models won “Lower Medium Car of the Year”.
3. The BMW 3 Series Saloon and Touring models took the “Medium Car of the Year”.
4. The BMW 5 Series Saloon and Touring was jointly honoured with “Executive Car of the Year”.
5. Finally the BMW X5 picked up “Large 4×4 of the Year”.

Sean Green, Sales Director of BMW UK, said:”The corporate customer is an extremely important one for BMW which is why it’s fantastic to be honoured by BusinessCar in so many categories. But with 166 BMW and MINI models emitting 160g/km of CO2 or less it is hard not to see why our products are so popular”.

BMW has been awarded the title of Industry Supplier by the Energy Savings Trust, the UK’s leading organisation to set up to try and prevent climate change by helping everybody cut carbon dioxide emissions.

This is the second year running BMW has won the award in recognition of how it has helped businesses make their fleets more efficient, sustainable and reduce carbon emissions. The BMW 320d EfficientDynamics model which was recently launched emits only 109g/km CO2 which for a car of this size is pretty impressive.

BMW models sold in 2008 with EfficientDynamics technologies fitted have also been responsible for an approximate 54,000 tonne reduction in CO2 emissions compared to pre-EfficientDynamics cars. BMW contract hire prices are available on the whole range (off the site now) if you are looking for a low CO2 vehicle.

BMW 320d

The new BMW 320d EfficientDynamics 3 Series diesel saloon is set to become one of BMW’s greenest cars when it goes on sale in 2010. This latest model sets the benchmark by offering only 109g/km emissions and a combined fuel consumption figure of 68.9mpg.

The performance figures look good as well, with the 1,995cc engine reaching 0-62mph in 8.2 seconds and onto a top speed of 137mph where permitted. Acceleration in fifth gear from 50mph to 75mph is also swift, at just 9.6 seconds.  

This makes this new BMW the first premium segment car to go below the 110g/km tax threshold and it is bound to appeal to company car drivers and consumers alike. The car comes with Auto Start Stop, lowered suspension, alloy wheels with Michelin EnergySaver tyres, Brake Energy Regeneration and Electric Power Steering for optimum performance. The full vehicle specification of this new BMW car will be unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September.

BMW 740d Sport

The BMW 7 Series flagship model from BMW has been upgraded with a new 740d model. At the same time the BMW 730d comes with a revised powerplant improving fuel economy and emissions and both cars will be available in September. Power for the 740d takes diesel performance to a new level, with 306hp available from the 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged engine. This takes this luxury car from 0-62mph in only 6.3 seconds and onto a top speed of 155mph where allowed.

Both cars also come with BMW’s award winning EfficientDynamics technologies which sees both models of these luxury cars stride ahead of their competitors lilke the Mercedes S350CDI for example.

BMW 740d Sport

Brake Energy Regeneration uses the engine’s power on overrun, such as braking, to charge the battery for the car’s electrical circuit thereby saving energy.  When accelerating the alternator disengages to channel all the power towards the car’s performance. All these technologies were available on the 7 Series since November 2008 but have been added to the 730d for the first time. 

The roof, doors,bonnet and front side panels are all made from aluminium to further reduce weight to improve fuel consumption. CO2 for the 740d is 181g/km and 178g/km & 180g/km for the 730d and 730Ld respectively. The combined mpg figures are much improved, with 40.9 mpg available from the 740d which for a car of this size is pretty impressive.

As well as launching the new 740d, BMW is adding the M Sport option to the 7 Series range and all BMW 7 Series variants can now be ordered as either SE or M Sport. With M Sport you get new 19-inch M Sport V-spoke alloy wheels, M aerodynamic body styling and high-gloss exterior trim. 

740d Sport interior

Inside the M Sport offers Sport seats, M Sport steering wheel, M Sport door sill inlays, brushed aluminium interior trim and Anthracite headlining. Prices for these models will be announced closer to September however if you want a BMW now then BMW car leasing prices are available on all their models.