Badged as 320i, the petrol versions of the 3 Series make a comeback and join the updated 2016 line-up of BMW cars. The petrol variants of the 3 Series and 5 Series were discontinued in 2015, but it looks like BMW are reconsidering their decision to do so. The petrol 3 Series will be available in two variants – the the entry-level Prestige for Rs. 36.9 lakh and the top Luxury Line variant for Rs 41.7 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi).
About the engine, the 320i will feature a four-cylinder 2-litre petrol engine with 181bhp and 270Nm of torque. The standard entry-level Prestige will be paired with an eight-speed automatic gearbox, while the Luxury Line variant will get a pair of additional paddle shifters. This will allow the 320i to do a 0-100 kmph sprint in 7.3 seconds, same as its diesel sibling.
Both variants of the 320i get features like LED headlamps, heated wing mirrors with memory function dual-zone climate control, ambient lighting, electric adjust front seats with memory and 16-inch alloy wheels. The difference between the two is that the 320i Prestige will come with BMW iDrive system with a 6.5-inch screen bundled with BMW Apps and four drive modes while the top Luxury Line variant will come with an 8.8-inch iDrive touch infotainment system with handwriting recognition and navigation, a fifth ‘Sport+’ drive mode, an electric sunroof, a 205W audio system and 17-inch alloy wheels. Furthermore, the Luxury Line gets a choice of upholstery and more chrome on the inside and the outside.
BMW’s petrol 3 Series steps back into the ring and faces rivals like the Mercedes C200 and Jaguar XE. While the Mercedes C200 comes in a single variant which is priced at Rs 38.9 lakh, the Jaguar XE has got the Pure version which costs Rs 39.9 lakh and the top-of-the-line Portfolio version which costs Rs 47.9 lakh. While the diesel BMW 3 Series is a CKD, the petrol will be sold in the country as a CBU.
In addition to this, BMW also plans to enter and compete with the Audi A6 35TFSI and the Mercedes-Benz E200 with the new 520i. The 520i will be available in one version only, the Luxury Line variant – it will be powered with the same 2-litre turbo-petrol mill throwing out 181bhp of power and will include avant-garde features like a 10.2-inch touchscreen iDrive system, a 600W Harman Kardon audio system and adaptive LED headlamps.