New Model

3 - the Magic Number

The Three Series is BMW's most successful car,
as anyone casting an eye about Kingston's
motorways can confirm. Globally, the Three
(dubbed the E90 internally at BMW) accounts
for some 57% of sales. This, as someone close to
the local dealership said at the Jamaican launch
on Saturday (April 16), "this is the one car they
have to get right."

And judging from the looks from the enthusiasts
and would-be car buyers on hand, they have.
On the outside, the new 3 essentially sticks to the
design formula laid down over the last seveal years
but with a few modifications (an inset mount of the
famous kidney grille for one).

Inside the cosseted cocoon that is the interior,
wind noise and tyre noise has been virtually
eliminated, so the sensation of raw speed is
diminished, even at very rapid rates of transit.
The new model is also larger, boasting more
legroom than its predecessor, and has new
onboard electronics. BMW's now renowned
iDrive navigation system will also be available.

BMW will reportedly offer four body styles on
the new 3: the four-door sedan, the station wagon*
(*due to debut at the 2006 Geneva Auto show);
the coupe (Paris, 2006); the convertible
(scheduled to launch at the 2007 Detroit
auto show).

But the real star of the new 3 is the engine, or we
should say engines. This generation's engine
permutations do not disappoint. The six-cylinder
and four-cylinder offerings (the six is all-new)
come with substantial innovations.

Additionally, the new model features a central computer
system that can be updated with new features throughout
the car's life cycle, guarding against obsolescence.

Sterling Motors Marketing point-man Wayne Miller
was busy glad-handing and chatting with the likes of
Supt. Reneto Adams and others as the guests
imbibed drinks and enjoyed cocktails prepared for the
occasion - all in between test drives and tire-kicking.

The 3-series has long been a fixture on the 10-Best list of most
auto publications. The latest generation looks set to continue
that trend.