BMW’s new 3 Series will test the saloon market

Can the latest incarnation of the 3 Series truly challenge the SUV onslaught? Liam Shard finds out

The BMW 330i M Sport: its new power steering system lifts it above the competition
The new 3 Series is remarkably enjoyable to drive

For decades now, the sporty BMW 3 Series four-door saloon has been steadily growing in popularity. It was initially a minority-interest vehicle, the preserve of the very well-heeled in the 1970s and 1980s, but cheap finance plans, improving residuals and the economic benefits of diesel power pushed the 3 Series farther and farther up the sales charts. By the early 2000s, BMW was shifting more than ...