KEY POINTS:
"Life Cycle Impulse" (LCI) is what BMW calls its model facelifts. It's more accurate than dramatic redesign - you have to look pretty hard at pictures of the new 3-series LCI to spot the difference.
But the new version has a new headlight cluster, new facia panel and more pronounced bonnet lines.
Optional bi-xenon adaptive headlamps now incorporate LED indicators. Redesigned doors mirrors offer a wider field of view, and employ concave and convex styling to the mirror caps.
The interior has better storage areas and a revised version of the iDrive controller.
The biggest changes are mechanical. The 330d gets a new 3.0-litre twin-turbo diesel engine with 180kW/520Nm, which delivers 0-100km/h in 6.1 seconds, achieves 5.7 litres per 100km of fuel and emits 152g/km of CO2. The 320d four-cylinder diesel engine has been revised. The top petrol 3-series models have a twin-clutch transmission option, as on the M3 supercar.
The 3-series LCI will be launched here next year.
