2019 is a big year for BMW with at least seven models being launched one after another. On a sunny winter’s day, we took the new 3 Series on a leisurely drive to Waihi Beach.
Images: Vanessa Laval-Glad
Our BMW 330i M Sport is already the seventh generation of the 3 Series. It comes with the M Sport Package that, along with a bigger grille, extended LED headlights and a shiny Black Sapphire
In typical ‘The Ultimate Driving Machine’ style, the car is jam-packed with next-generation technologies: wireless smartphone charger, USB-C sockets and head-up display. Of course, the 3 Series also nudges the car back between lanes when we veer too far left or right, automatically opens up the boot when we wave our foot under the rear bumper (grocery shopping must-have) and even kindly turns on 3D views of the car and surrounds to help us park in the tricky horseshoe-shaped driveway at the French Country House. These are things we’ve seen before, but now they’ve become even more intuitive and accurate.
What we’re really looking for are new, revolutionary upgrades! And the first one wasn’t slow in making itself useful. When we
The keyless entry is our
Another must-have for every woman – and, let’s face it, man as well – is the incredible new Reversing Assistant. It memorises your manoeuvres to get you out of a narrow driveway or parking lot the same way you got in. We must admit, seeing the steering wheel rotating by itself takes some getting used to but we’re living in the era of things our human brain is no longer able to comprehend, so hands off the wheel and let the car do its job!
‘The most fun update of the year’ award no doubt goes to the gesture control. Forget touchscreens, forget BMW’s iconic iDrive control knob – you can now switch the songs from your Spotify playlist by pointing your thumb to the right or left in front of the cockpit! Gesture control also allows the driver and the front passenger to turn the volume up or down, accept or decline a phone call and even change the rearview camera angle, which looks like you’re trying to pinch the image of the car without even touching the screen. We’re telling you, it’s fun!
The benchmark in its class, the 3 Series has always been an ‘entry pass’ to the alluring BMW world due to its fairly affordable price. The prices for the 2019 generation start from $77,500 for the 320d and $89,900 for the 330i. They’re more expensive than the previous generation but the new cars all come equipped with the M Sport Package and are stuffed to the brim with helpful technologies that would cost a lot more if you purchase them separately.
Coombes Johnston BMW Tauranga coombesjohnstonbmwtauranga.co.nz
