The first images and details of the new BMW 3 Series and Seat Ibiza surfaced on Thursday, but for those expecting radical departures from the existing models, you'll be disappointed - both cars have had the merest passing acquaintance with the surgeon's scalpel. Indeed, the BMW 3 Series seems barely changed at all on the exterior. The lights are subtly different, with more LED technology than before, and the bumpers and air intakes have been very slightly changed but it looks very much as if Munich's styling team took a good, long, hard look a the 3 and simply said "nein, it's fine."
Underneath, the changes are a little more profound. While the top end of the engine range (short of the all-out M3 and M4) will be dominated by a new, more powerful 340i twin-turbo straight-six petrol engine (replacing the long-serving 335i unit) further down, there are far more economical options. This will be the first 3 Series ever to feature a three-cylidner engine. The 1.5-litre petrol and diesel until are being brought in from the Mini and 2 Series Active Tourer ranges to improve economy and emissions and help the 3 Series see of the challenges from the Mercedes C-Class, the new Jaguar XE and the new Audi A4 which arrives later this year. No official figures as yet, but the three-cylinder 316d is expected to record a Co2 figure of just 99g/km.
Inside, once again, the changes are fleeting - new air vents and climate control but there’s no sign yet of the new touch-screen controller for the i-Drive infotainment system. The new 3 Series goes on sale later int he summer.
Meanwhile, over at Seat, the Spanish firm will be hoping to capitalise on the recent success of the Leon hatchback with an updated Ibiza. It’ll be one of the shortest-lived updates ever as an all-new Ibiza is due to arrive late next year, but for now we can expect new lights (again, incorporating more LED tech) and some new colours and wheel options. Inside, the Ibiza now gets the new-the touchscreen that we’ve already seen in the sister VW Polo and Skoda Fabia, so it’ll have MirrorLink for your mobile phone and a DAB radio receiver. There is an upgrade to the safety systems too, including a driver fatigue monitor and a system that brings the car to a stop after an impact if the driver is incapacitated and flashes the warning lights to help stop any follow-up shunts.
Underneath, there is tweaked suspension and the option of adaptive dampers, plus the Ibiza now benefits from the new VW Group small engine lineup of 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrols (in 75hp form or 95hp or 105hp turbo versions) plus a 94g/km 1.0 TSI Ecomotive version. There will also be a super-frugal diesel 1.4 TDI model with 75hp offering 88g/km and a claimed 83mpg.
