2023 BMW 3 Series unveiled, Australian launch due fourth quarter

UPDATE, September 21: New 2023 BMW 3 Series review

The new 2023 BMW 3 Series has made its European debut, and we've driven it. Get our review at the link below! Continue reading for full pricing and features.

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New-look 3 Series revealed

The covers have come off the 2023 BMW 3 Series, as the popular mid-size sedan and wagon score a facelift for the coming years.

Teased just yesterday, the upcoming 3 Series facelift – or Life Cycle Impulse (LCI) in BMW-speak – brings some significant design tweaks to the sedan and wagon body styles, as previewed by the Chinese market-only i3 electric sedan revealed last month.

At the front, a completely refreshed bumper is combined with new-look, slimmer headlights – which feature 'inverted L' shaped daytime running lights distiguishing it from the current model's design where the DRLs are rotated 180-degrees.

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The new headlights will be standard across the entire 3 Series range, but those who order the M340i xDrive sedan will benefit from the addition of adaptive LEDs – incorporating cornering lamps, non-dazzling matrix high beam, dynamic headlight range control and variable light distribution – all of which can be set apart from the standard set by blue effects within the housing.

BMW has tweaked the rear design of the 3 Series as well, with a more aggressive lower bumper highlighted by contrasting black trim, incorporating a taller 'diffuser' than the outgoing model.

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As with the current 3 Series, all Australian-delivered models come standard with BMW's M Sport package, boasting additional black design pieces on the front and rear bumpers, as well as; a mesh design kidney grille, trapezoidal tailpipe trims, black mirror caps and a choice of 18- or 19-inch wheels.

On top of this, BMW Australia will now offer the M Sport Package Pro, which includes; extended M high-gloss Shadowline trim, M lights Shadowline and an M Sport braking system with red callipers.

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Inside the cabin, BMW has made a big change by introducing its curved display from the iX and i4 into the 3 Series, running its latest version of iDrive software.

Combining a 12.3-inch digital dash with a 14.9-inch infotainment screen, the two are merged together to create a single unit, incorporating satellite navigation, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

An automatic three-zone climate control system is standard across the range, with its dials now embedded in the touchscreen or accessible via voice command.

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As with the current model, the new 3 Series will be available with four base grades – 320i, 330i (only variant for the wagon), 330e and M340i xDrive – all using an eight-speed automatic transmission with the all-wheel-drive xDrive being the only non-rear-wheel offering.

A wide range of safety equipment will also remain as standard, including; lane departure warning, lane change warning, front collision warning with brake intervention, rear crossing traffic warning, rear collision prevention, reversing assist camera and reversing assistant.

BMW Australia says it expects the new 3 Series line-up to arrive locally in the fourth quarter of 2022, with pricing and features set to be announced closer to its launch.