BMW Chief Says “I Don’t Want To Hear That Shit Anymore” About The E46 Being The Last Great 3-Series

BMW is sick and tired of people saying recent 3-Series generations have failed to live up to the legendary E46.

During an interview with Motoring at the Paris Auto Show, BMW development chief Klaus Frohlich said this spurred the carmaker on to make the new 3-Series the most dynamic ever.

“It has to beat everybody in the segment in driving dynamics because all the Australian, UK and American journalists say ‘ooh the E46 CSL was the last real 3 Series’.

“I do not want to hear that shit anymore,” Frohlich said.

New looks, new tech, and a better driving experience.

The centerpiece of the new BMW-3-Series which will make it more dynamic is the implementation of the marque’s CLAR architecture. The vehicle’s underpinnings help to slash weight by up to 55 kg (121 lbs), result in a 1 cm (0.39-inch) lower center of gravity, and a wider track. Additionally, the new 3-Series comes outfitted with passive dampers.

“First thing and this is for me the most important thing; you can drive fast and completely relaxed. You don’t feel how fast you are,” Frohlich said of the vehicle’s new driving dynamics.

“Second thing and this thing is a big achievement; this car is much more valuable, it has much better materials and it is solid like a rock.”

The new 3-Series will go on sale in March 2019 and in the United States, the range will open up with the 330i. This model is powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that pumps out 255 hp and 295 lb-ft (400 Nm) of torque. Buyers in the United States will be pleased to hear that the faster M340i and M340i xDrive M Performance will arrive in Spring 2019 with a 382 hp 3.0-liter straight-six engine.