 |
Latest Specs |
 |
|
|
|
|
Popular |
|
|
|
|
|
|
3 Series - e46 (1999 - 2005) |
|
|
|
|
Page 1 of 4 New BMW 3 Series Coupé,
Convertible and Compact
Overview
"This makes the two-door, four-window BMW sports coupé the ideal
touring car for the demanding motorist wishing to enjoy the thrill of speed
and the pleasure of sports motoring." From a 1937 internal memo on the
launch of Europe's first coupé, the BMW 327.
Setting the scene:
Thankfully, it seems, very little has changed in BMW's philosophy towards its
Coupé models over the past 66 years. However, the product has clearly
developed since the introduction of the BMW 02 Coupé in 1966 established
Europe's compact sports Coupé market and BMW has consistently driven
sales in the segment through a strategy of clear, but subtle differentiation
between Coupé/Convertible models and other 3 Series body styles.
The new BMW 3 Series Coupé, now in its 6th incarnation as either a 2-door
sports saloon or coupé, features a number of stylish design enhancements
and technical developments that reinforce both this philosophy and the car's
sporty and dynamic nature. The Coupé retains its understated muscular
looks, but becomes even more clearly differentiated from its Saloon and Touring
cousins with major work to the front end and bonnet, design and safety enhancements
at the rear and added specification and technical features.
The introduction of the BMW 3 Series Convertible in 1985 had a similar effect
to the Coupé, establishing itself as the benchmark in the compact four-seat
convertible market. This latest model, a mid-life revision of the third generation
(launched May 2000), reinforces BMW?s reputation as the leader in styling and
dynamics for the soft-top market.
The Convertible receives exactly the same model year enhancements as the BMW
3 Series Coupé, minus a wider boot grab handle. 2003 therefore sees revised
versions of the four-cylinder 318Ci Coupé/Convertible and the six-pot
320Ci, 325Ci and 330Ci Coupé and Convertibles.
BMW 3 Series Coupé and Convertible 2003 model year enhancements:
.. More distinctive bonnet with raised power dome and 60mm wider kidney grille
.. Re-styled front bumper
.. Re-styled side indicators on new front wings
.. Larger front light housings (to incorporate optional Adaptive Front Headlights)
.. New rear light clusters featuring Light-Emitting Diode (LED) technology
.. Re-designed rear apron with colour-coded Park Distance Control (PDC) sensors
.. Wider boot grab handle on Coupé
.. New six speed Sequential Manual Gearbox (SMG) optional on BMW 330i and BMW
325i Coupé and Convertible
.. Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) standardised across the 3 Series range
.. New six speed manual transmission on all BMW 330Ci Coupé/Convertible,
(plus 330i/330d Saloon and Touring, 320d Saloon and Touring, and 320td/325ti
Compacts).
These enhancements add to the already well-established reputation of the BMW
3 Series. Renowned driving dynamics are a given, generated by BMW's engineers'
zealous adherence to rear wheel drive, McPherson strut / Z-axle suspension units
and 50:50 weight distribution, linked to technologically advanced engines.
Integral to driving enjoyment is the prospect of rewarding ownership. The 3 Series
commands enviable residual values and CO2 levels and fuel consumption figures
that frustrate the taxman and belie the car's performance.
Illuminating design :
The new 3 Series Coupé and Convertible can be distinguished by major
work to the front of the cars with a more distinctive bonnet, featuring a raised
power dome and 60 mm wider kidney grille. These features clearly introduce design
cues that distinguish the Coupé and Convertible from the Saloon and Touring.
The front bumper is re-styled and brand new side-panels house new triangular,
side indicator lenses. The headlight clusters now merge with the front indicators
and free up space for state-of-the-art Adaptive Front Headlights that can be specified.
Adaptive Front Headlights are a revolutionary active safety feature that swivel
with the car as it corners. The headlights move left to right by up to fifteen
degrees, illuminating the bend ahead rather than the verge directly in front of
the car.
From the back, the design tweaks are a little more subtle, but also feature innovative
new lighting.
The rear apron has been re-styled and now houses body-coloured Park Distance
Control sensors. The Coupé features a wider boot grab handle. The most
dramatic rear-end treatment sees brand new Light-Emitting Diode two-stage brake
lighting in new rear clusters. This technology is not yet EU homologated, but
still fitted to all new BMW 3 Series Coupés and Convertibles.
Once homologated, it's simply a matter of 'switching' on the system that communicates
emergency braking by the BMW driver to other cars behind. Normal braking illuminates
a single corona of LED brake lights, but heavy braking lights a second corona
offering an extra split second of recognition for the drivers behind.
NB: The new rear lights and wider boot lid grab handle are the only 2003-model
year upgrades for the M3 Coupé and Convertible.
|
|
|
|
|
Login |
|
|
|
|
|
Poll |
|
|
|
|
|
The database can be found here |
|
Latest Pictures |
|
|
files: 4376
albums: 221 (latest)
categories: 56
5 latest additions:
|
|
