The 2019 BMW 3 Series Debuts at the Paris Auto Show | Edmunds

Edmunds Editor-in-Chief Alistair Weaver reports from the Paris auto show on the new 2019 BMW 3 Series, which will go on sale in the U.S. next year. Has BMW stayed true to its winning formula with the seventh-generation 3 Series? Alistair gets up close with the new 3 Series to get the scoop.

Q: What kind of engine and transmission does the 2019 BMW 3 Series have?
A: The 330i and the 330i xDrive (all-wheel-drive) models will receive a new turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 255 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. This engine will be exclusively paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The top of the range, the new M340i and M340i xDrive, will use the same eight-speed automatic, but under the hood they'll pack an updated 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six engine with 382 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque.

Q: So there's no manual transmission available on the 2019 BMW 3 Series?
A: Sadly, that's correct. At least for now, all new 3 Series models will come with an automatic.

Q: What's BMW's Intelligent Personal Assistant?
A: This new technology debuts on the 2019 BMW 3 Series and functions much like Siri or Amazon's Alexa. Tell the car you're cold, for example, and it'll kick on the seat heaters. The assistant will also learn your habits, homing in on your frequent destinations and favorite vehicle functions.

Q: How fast is the 2019 BMW 3 Series?
A: For the 2019 330i, the claimed 0-60 mph time has gone up by a tenth of a second, to 5.6 seconds. But the 330i xDrive models make the 0-60 mph sprint in 5.3 seconds, according to BMW. That's two-tenths of a second faster than the 2018 car. The reported 0-60 mph time for the M340i xDrive is an impressive 4.2 seconds.

Q: When can I find the 2019 BMW 3 Series at a dealer?
A: The 330i and 330i xDrive will go on sale in March 2019, with prices starting at $41,195 (including destination). The M340i and M340i xDrive will arrive later in the spring. There's no official date for the forthcoming 330e hybrid, but BMW expects to release it sometime in 2020.

Read our First Look of the 2019 3 Series here: https://www.edmunds.com/bmw/3-series/2019/

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