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China-only version of seventh-generation saloon is stretched to offer more space in the rear

BMW has revealed the long-wheelbase version of the new 3 Series saloon, which will be offered exclusively in the Chinese market, at this year’s Shanghai motor show.

The extended version of the recently launched seventh-generation 3 Series has been reworked to offer extra space in the rear, along with a number of new features. It fits a long trend of car firms making longer versions of premium models for China.

The stretched 3 Series’s wheelbase of 2851mm is 41mm longer than the regular 3 Series, and the car’s total length is stretched to 4719mm. It is 1827mm wide and 1459mm high, with increased track widths of 1583mm at the front and 1599mm at the rear.

Power comes from a four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine, while the 3 Series long-wheelbase features comfort seats in the front and rear and a panoramic glass roof, among a number of features to meet the demands of Chinese customers.

The machine will be produced by joint venture firm BMW Brilliance Automotive, at its Tiexi plant in Shenyang in Liaoning Province, where Chinese market versions of the regular 3 Series will also be produced.

In China, the 3 Series – in both standard and long-wheelbase forms – will also be offered with BMW’s new Intelligent Personal Assistant system, which offers a range of digital services. It also responds to voice controls with the prompt ‘hey BMW’.

BMW has also displayed the recently announced X3M and X4M performance SUV models in public for the first time at the Shanghai show.

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James Attwood

James Attwood, digital editor
Title: Acting magazine editor

James is Autocar's acting magazine editor. Having served in that role since June 2023, he is in charge of the day-to-day running of the world's oldest car magazine, and regularly interviews some of the biggest names in the industry to secure news and features, such as his world exclusive look into production of Volkswagen currywurst. Really.

Before first joining Autocar in 2017, James spent more than a decade in motorsport journalist, working on Autosport, autosport.com, F1 Racing and Motorsport News, covering everything from club rallying to top-level international events. He also spent 18 months running Move Electric, Haymarket's e-mobility title, where he developed knowledge of the e-bike and e-scooter markets. 

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RCT V 16 April 2019

That is LESS THAN two inches! Why bother?!

"The stretched 3 Series’s wheelbase of 2851mm is 41mm longer than the regular 3 Series".

That is LESS THAN two inches! Why bother ?!