BMW has recently revealed the first pictures and details of the new 3-Series Saloon – the sixth generation of its best-selling premium saloon and responsible for one-fifth of the manufacturer’s global sales.

When the latest incarnation of the model hits the showrooms in the UK in February 2012, there will be four more fuel-efficient engines on offer, more space, comfort and luxury, an eight-speed auto gearbox across the range and four-wheel drive and hybrid versions to follow by the end of that year.

In March 2012 when additional engines have been added to the four at launch, BMW will have eight versions of the new 3-Series Saloon with CO2 emissions at or below 120g/km. This brings clear benefits to owners in terms of company car tax and Vehicle Excise Duty, while the 320d EfficientDynamics model, with CO2 emissions of 110g/km, allows businesses with an outright purchase, to write off 100 per cent of the cost of the car against tax in the first year.

All versions of the new 3-Series Saloon feature Drive Performance Control as standard – a switch that allows the driver to swap between up to four driving modes, varying from sporty to extremely economical. What’s more, auto stop-start is fitted to all versions (manual and auto) along with Brake Energy Regeneration.

An eight-speed auto gearbox is available as an alternative to the standard six-speed manual.

All engines in the new 3-Series Saloon feature BMW TwinPower Turbo technology. They include a new four-cylinder 2.0-litre petrol unit, developing 245bhp and 350Nm of torque in the 328i. It replaces the six-cylinder 3.0-litre engines in the previous 325i and 330i with distinct advantages for weight and fuel consumption. Both manual and auto versions of the 328i have fuel economy of more than 44mpg and CO2 emissions below 150g/km. The new engine features high precision direct injection, BMW’s new twin scroll turbocharger, variable camshaft timing and valvetronic variable valve opening technology.

The 328i is one of four engines that will be available at launch, three of which are familiar from the outgoing model. The other petrol engine on offer is the 3.0-litre six-cylinder TwinPower turbo unit in the 335i. Demand for diesels will be catered for by an improved 2.0-litre 184bhp 320d and the acclaimed 163bhp 320d EfficientDynamics that generates an outstanding 68.9mpg and just 109g/km CO2. A month after launch, three new engines will be added: 316d and 318d 2.0-litre diesels and a 320i 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine.

The latest 3-Series Saloon features an all-new chassis based on a longer wheelbase (an increase of 50mm on the previous model) and wider tracks. All independent suspension is by aluminium torque struts, wishbones and swivel joints at the front and a refined version of the five-link arrangement from the previous 3-Series at the rear.

BMW will again offer the highly valued ES, SE and, in 2012, M Sport versions of the 3-Series Saloon but there will also be Sport, Modern and Luxury models. This increase in spec mirrors the ‘Lines’ range first showcased on the BMW 1-Series and launched earlier this year.

MODEL          OTR price    Power     Torque    0-62mph (secs)    Top speed     Combined mpg    CO2 emissions           
328i Saloon    £29,060        245bhp    350Nm    5.9 (6.1)                 155mph*        44.1 (44.8)           149g/km (147)
335i Saloon    £35,525        306bhp    400Nm    5.5 (5.5)                 155mph*        35.8 (39.2)           186g/km (169)
320d Saloon   £28,080        184bhp    380Nm    7.5 (7.6)                 146mph (143) 62.8 (64.2)           120g/km (118)
320d Efficient   
Dynamics       £28,080        163bhp    380Nm    8.0 (8.1)                 143mph (141) 68.9 (68.9)           109g/km