3-Sum: More of everything except weight

German auto giant and India's top luxury car maker BMW is all set to take the competition to the next level in it's efforts to claim the top spot second year in a row as it readies to launch its latest generation 3 series model. The company has already started its public campaign leading to its launch. Ammar Alvi has more.

It is touted as one of the best mid-size luxury sedans available today in the world and it will be soon home to India. Since its global debut earlier last year all eyes were on when it will be launched in India as this new model is expected to be a lot better as compared to its predecessor. The Munich based company has started its promotional activities for the new 3-series which is quite creative and intriguing. All its publicity car convoys are enveloped in white paper with QR codes printed all over. Once you scan these QR codes pasted on the new 3-series using your smartphone, you will be taken straight to the new 3-series website.

Another campaign running in Mumbai involves a glass box filled with red balls covering the new 3-series. The number of balls in the glass box will be reduced each day, leading up to the launch of the new 3-series and also making the vehicle completely visible.

Coming to the vehicle, the 3 series which was codenamed 'F30' has taken design cues from its   bigger siblings the 5-Series and the 7-Series, where you will notice more angular headlights with LEDs exposing the “angel eyes”. The car also looks very aggressive and super-sleek, is bigger than the predecessor and has also good space which was a matter of concern in the earlier model. The car is also around 40 kg lighter than its predecessor. The new BMW 3 series would be available in both petrol and diesel engines. The 320i and 328i petrol producing 181 bhp and 241 bhp respectively alongside the more refined and efficient diesel 320d producing 181 bhp. The 3 series will be available with eight speed automatic transmission and is expected to be extremely competitively priced.

The company is also continuing to register good sales and hopes that by the end of the year it will have retained its top spot as India’s number one luxury car maker.