Source: Tiempo Motor

Link: http://www.tiempomotor.com/noticias/val/242/la-casa-bavara-renueva-su-serie-3.html

THIRTY SOMETHING … OF HISTORY

The history of the BMW 3 Series starts in March 1966, when the BMW 1600-2 was showed at the Geneva Car Show. With this model the German house started the series of the smallest models. It was a two door sport sedan equipped with a sport engine, with a coupe design and with the classic construction system: front engine and rear traction. During the 5 generations of models, the BMW 3 series kept their agile, sportive and eye-catching character.

The BMW 3 Series, appeared with this name in 1975 and set up a new category. The FIRST GENERATION of the BMW 3 Series (1975 up to 1983) only had one body frame and four engines (another engine was added at a later date) up to 143 CV power in the 323i BMW; in the following 30 years the amount of variables, engines and traction systems increased.

The SECOND GENERATION:   (1982 TO 1994) the first four door version, and two other body frames were launched to the market: the Cabrio one and the touring family version (in those times it was identified with the low case t). For the first time the total traction was offered. The variable with the higher performances was presented by the BMW Motorsport GmbH: the M3 firstly had a 200 CV power and later 238 CV.

The THIRD GENERATION: (1990 up to 2000) had a totally new design.

The body frame increased in size, to have a more comfortable and safe interior.

The FOURTH GENERATION : (May 1998) Firstly the four door sedan version, more comfortable and safe and with greater features.

The presentation of this new generation was spectacular, for the 320d was the first BMW with direct injection diesel engine. In the fourth generation besides the sedan, we had the Coupe, Touring, Cabrio and Compact, but the 330d BMW was the best of the series. One of the last BMW 3 Series model of the fourth generation was not a late presentation car. The BMW 330Cd was the first BMW coupe with Diesel engine.

The FIFTH GENERATION: Presented at the Geneva International Car Show in 2005.

As usual, first the sedan was showed. Its eye-catching design with small rear overhang, dynamic lines gave this model an unique character. The new 3 Series Coupe appeared in September 2006, and for the first time since the seventies a petrol turbo engine was offered. Moreover, it was the first time the total traction system was offered in a BMW 3 Series coupe.

In March 2007 the first BMW convertible with drop down hard roof was presented