Mere hours after revealing the G20-generation 3-series sedan at the Paris auto show, BMW has shown off a lineup of M Performance parts for the all-new 2019 3-series. Consisting of almost a dozen exterior parts, new wheel designs, an upgraded braking system, and a bunch of interior enhancements, the new parts aren't just for show-many of them actually increase the 3-series' performance.
According to BMW, the new M Performance front splitters, rear spoiler, and rear diffuser-each available in a choice of high-gloss black, matte black, or carbon fiber finishes-improve the aerodynamics of the car and reduce lift. The M Performance exhaust is made from titanium and carbon fiber, which help make them longer-lasting and more resistant to corrosion. All show and no go, though, are the carbon-fiber mirror caps and the branded side-sill stickers.
Of the most interest to enthusiasts is the new M Performance brake kit. Consisting of vented 18-inch discs with four-piston calipers, the brakes are larger, lighter, stronger, and more resistant to heat and fade than the standard 3-series brakes. To go along with the better brakes are three new sets of M Performance wheels: one 18-inch and two 20-inch designs, with the 18s suitable for both summer and winter, according to BMW.
A new microsuede-and-leather-wrapped steering wheel can be paired with carbon-fiber shift paddles, and the wheel is also available with carbon-fiber inserts. Additional carbon-fiber trim can be added inthe interior, and LED lights with M Performance logos can project a variety of images from the doors onto the ground. For those who want people to know that they really love BMW's M division, there are available floor mats with an M Performance inscription, colored flags, and leather-effect lining, to "emphasize sportiness," apparently.
In extreme contrast to those floor mats, the M Performance Drive Analyzer is a practical tool, designed to be used on the racetrack. Consisting of an OBD stick that plugs into the car's diagnostics system, it interfaces with a smartphone app to provide the driver with performance data. The phone's camera can be used to record trips or outings at the track, and data collection and route calculation can be done using GPS data. Special holders for GoPro cameras are also available; they mount to the exterior tow hooks or the front headrests and allow the cameras to swivel 360 degrees to capture any angle, all controlled by the same app.
The 2019 3-series will go on sale in the United States early next year in both 330i and M340i guises; we expect that the M Performance parts will be available to U.S. buyers soon after. The 330i is powered by a 255-hp turbocharged inline-four, while the M340i gets a 382-hp turbo six. Both have rear-wheel drive as standard with xDrive all-wheel drive as an option, but, sadly, neither can be had with a manual transmission. Don't let that news discourage you, though: When we drove a prototype of the new 3-series earlier this year, we found it to be a return to the sports sedan's dynamic roots.
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