The new BMW 3 Series ushers in a noticeable change in its design, while playing around with a huge digital screen on board

Three days ago  images  of the  new BMW 3 Series  were leaked, today the German marque has officially unveiled the updated BMW 3 Series, both in its sedan and its wagon body, the  3 Series Touring  .

Presented in the fall of 2018, the seventh generation BMW 3 Series, internal code G20, is now  getting a facelift  . It will be available in sedan and station wagon (BMW Series 3 Touring) on ​​the market from this summer.

On this occasion, BMW resisted giving the updated 3 Series a huge grille,  like the M3  or the new  7 Series , but the shape and pattern of the double kidney grilles changes.

The grille, although it retains contained dimensions, has a more pronounced octagonal shape. The design of the LED headlights was simplified, eliminating the indentation in the center of the outgoing model. The light signature is also different, now being an inverted L.

BMW has only released photos of the model in the more aggressive M Sport trim, but all 3-Series versions get a  restyled front bumper  with a larger central air intake and car-shaped elements. L more vertical and angular.

On the other hand, nothing changes at the level of the taillights, which from the beginning presented an L-shaped visual pattern. On the other hand, the  imposing pseudo rear diffuser flanked by its L-shaped elements  , similar to those of the bumper before , is striking. . , and its two exhaust tails.

The M340i model has some unique styling cues, like a different grille, BMW says, but no photos have yet been released. Similarly, there are still no images of the new 3-Series without the optional M-Pack. In any case, this is a restyling of those who stand out. There will be no difficulty in distinguishing an updated Series 3 G20 from its first iteration.

With the new model, BMW offers a new range of colors, which includes Skyscraper Grey, M Brooklyn Grey, Frozen Pure Gray and, for those who are tired of so much gray, Frozen Tanzanite Blue, the color worn by the 3 Series Touring . updated on these photos.

A huge curved screen dominates the dashboard

The exterior changes are noticeable, but  the modifications on board are even more obvious  . The biggest change is the curved display we've seen before on models like the  BMW i4 Electric , which combines the 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and 14.9-inch touchscreen into one huge unit. .

The dashboard has slimmer vents and fewer buttons, as the Series 3 has the latest  iDrive 8 infotainment system  (Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatible), with more on-screen controls such as those for three-zone climate control, which is standard equipment.

Other new standard features include an auto-dimming rear view mirror and Park Distance Control (PDC) with front and rear sensors. In addition, all models are equipped with the BMW Live Cockpit Plus navigation system, which includes BMW Maps.

The eight-speed automatic shifter has now become a small switch in the style of what Volkswagen Group models offered, although it doesn't free up much more space in the center console.

The updated BMW 3 Series can thus compete with its newest rival, the new  Mercedes C-Class , in terms of digital equipment. In terms of driving aids, the car is equipped as standard with automatic emergency braking (with detection of pedestrians, cyclists and, of course, vehicles), active cruise control and active maintenance of lane (  driving  level 2  - autonomous  ) and, as an option, cruise control. control with stop & go function, detection of traffic lights and parking assistant capable of reproducing a route previously traveled in the opposite direction.

Hybrid and plug-in hybrid engines

Under the hood, the engine line-up remains virtually unchanged, while the only change available will be the 8-speed automatic. It will have five diesel engines: 316d, 318d, 320d, 330d and M340d with a power range from 122 hp to 340 hp. All of these engines have a 48V micro-hybrid system, which Spain allows them to have the ECO label.

The range of petrol engines will also be entirely of the micro-hybrid type. It starts with the 156hp 318i and is followed by the 184hp 320i and the 245hp 330i to culminate in the 374hp M340i with all-wheel drive. Incidentally, the 320i and 330i are available in all-wheel drive or rear-wheel drive.

The new BMW 3 Series retains in its range the two  plug-in hybrid engines  of the current range, the 320e and 330e. The  320e features  a 2.0-litre 163hp turbocharged 4-cylinder engine paired with an 80kW (109hp) electric motor powered by a  lithium-ion battery with a  gross capacity of 12kWh.

Total power is 204 hp and its range in electric mode is up to 60 km. The  330e is  equipped with the same mechanics, but with the 2.0 liter which goes up to 183 hp for a cumulative power of 292 hp. In the 330e, BMW also announces a  range in electric mode of up to 60 km  .

As for the BMW M3, it will be the subject of its particular restyling apart, the main novelty of which will be the incorporation of this infotainment system.

The new BMW 3 Series Sedan and 3 Series Touring will go on  sale this summer  . At the time of writing these lines, the prices for Spain are not yet known.

To get an idea, in Germany the sedan  starts at 43,900 euros  , while the Touring starts at 45,000 euros. These are prices similar to those you can see in England, with plug-in hybrids around 50,000 euros and the two 6-cylinder versions which will exceed 70,000 euros.