One of the most awarded cars sold in America has reached its 40th birthday. The BMW 3-Series has been a staple of the import car industry for so long that it has posted 22 years on the Road & Track “Ten Best Cars” annual list. As its reaches the milestone, BMW has changed its line up so that the car is does not exist as it has for all of those years. The portion of the BMW model line has been broken into the 3 Series and 4 Series, ending the run of one of BMW’s most successful models
Source: courtesy of The Car Spy, via Wikimedia Commons
BMW’s own description of the car’s history:
The original since 1975: The BMW 3 Series is the embodiment of a sporty sedan. In its sixth generation, this irresistible combination of dynamic design, unrivalled agility and excellent everyday practicality is as impressive as ever. Optimum weight distribution, classic rear-wheel drive and powerful, high-efficiency petrol and diesel engines with BMW EfficientDynamics technology guarantee outstanding dynamics and low fuel consumption. The intelligent BMW xDrive all-wheel-drive system ensures the best-possible traction at all times. And with the Sport Line, Luxury Line or M Sport package options, you can adapt your BMW 3 Series Sedan in line with your own personal needs and wants.
Among the reasons for the past success of the 3 Series is that it came in more than one model, running from prices that made it is an entry level car ($32,950) to an expensive performance car — the M3 (over $70,000). It has maintained that spread for decades, and advanced its model line through the introduction industry leading technology, which recently included the introduction of an electric hybrid which allows it to compete with, more or less, Tesla Motors Inc. (NASDAQ: TSLA).
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The model’s new configuration, separates the line up into two parts. A 4 Series model is primarily a coupe. The 3 Series has become primarily the sedan version. BMW has had a great deal of success with the duo. For the first four months of the year, the 3/4 Series version’s sales reached 41,205, up 20% from the same period in 2014. That makes it the best selling segment of BMW’s car sales. Apparently, BMW management made a smart decision.
On its 40th birthday, the 3 Series may have been broken into piece. However, the pieces have prospered.
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