BMW: Turning 40 And Still Turning Heads

The BMW 3 Series is celebrating a milestone – 40 years of style and innovation that turned the original Sport Sedan into a living legend. From precision handling made possible by near-perfect weight distribution to the dynamic performance of the TwinPower Turbo engine, the 3 Series has earned its place at the head of the pack.

HERE’S TO THE ORIGINAL SPORTS SEDAN.

For over 40 years, the iconic BMW 3 Series has continued to innovate and outperform itself while leaving its mark on the road. As the Original Sports Sedan, the BMW 3 Series truly sets the bar for performance and continues to reset the bar year after year.

1975 – 1982:  THE ORIGINAL.

The first-generation 3 Series single-handedly invented the Sport Sedan class and instantly raised the bar well out of the competition’s reach. With a combination of style and performance, it’s easy to see how the legend started.

1983 - 1991: THE EVOLUTION.

The model that embodied the ‘80s. The second generation brought all there was to love about the previous 3 Series and then added an optional 6-cylinder engine and four doors.

1992 - 1998: THE TRENDSETTER.

By the ‘90s, the 3 Series was considered a benchmark and faced the challenge of topping itself. The third generation presented a more aerodynamic shape and slightly larger proportions. To date, it’s still considered one of BMW’s best-designed platforms.

   

1999 - 2005: THE VICTOR

As the new millennium rolled in, the 3 Series gained greater power, more agility, and further style refinements. As a result it experienced enormous success in all markets and was widely considered the performance standard of its class.

2006 - 2011: THE WORLD CHAMPION.

Receiving nearly every automotive accolade in the industry, the fifth-generation 3 Series topped them all with the prestigious World Car of the Year award in 2006.

2012 - present: THE BENCHMARK.

The sixth-generation 3 Series brings with it a heritage that no other car can compare to. With further refined lines and a more efficient powertrain, it topped Car and Driver’s 10 Best list for a 22nd consecutive time.

For more details on the evolution of the BMW, visit bmwusa.com