Check out (download) the full F31 3 Series Touring / Wagon catalog brochure featuring 59 pages of glossy F31 goodness, covering all aspects of the newest 3 Series wagon.

Here is our review on the BMW Active Hybrid 3.

Sometimes, we are victims of stereotypes. I, for instance, have always hated the idea of hybrid cars. Surely, a true car fan can’t possibly find anything good about a car which is obviously made for one reason only: Economy. Things are a bit different about the Active Hybrid 3, however. Here’s the story about my first experience with BMW’s latest hybrid.

At first sight, the Active Hybrid 3 [full official info thread] doesn’t look too different from any other F30 3 Series. BMW likes to introduce their hybrid models in a light blue color, but our test car’s Liquid Blue color is also available for other F30 models. Both the exhaust tips and the window trim … CONTINUED

Kelleners has announced its full F30 3 Series tuning program encompassing both cosmetic and performance upgrades.

On the cosmetic front, the aerodynamics parts include a front spoiler lip (for non M Sport F30), a rear bumper skirt with diffuser (for non M Sport F30), and a trunk spoiler. Kellener’s Hamburg and Berlin wheels are available in 19″ or 20″.

On the performance side, Kelleners offers a quad exhaust system, lowering springs (30mm/1.18in Front, 25mm/0.98in Rear), or coilover suspension which allows lowering of up to 60mm / 2.36in.

A range of ECU software tuning systems are also available. They yield the following gains:

316d: increase from 116 hp / 191 lb-ft to 139 hp / 230 lb-ft
318d: increase from 122 hp / 206 lb-ft to 154 hp / 247 lb-ft… CONTINUED

BMW has confirmed that two diesel engines will be making their way to the US.

One is a 2.0L single-turbo twinscroll 4 cylinder direct injection diesel engine outputting 180 HP and 280 LB-FT torque, which are identical stats to the N47 engine which currently powers the F30 320d and F10 520. As for consumption and performance, the 320d, for example, achieves an impressive 52.2 combined MPG (US) (40.5 city / 61.8 hwy), with a factory claimed 7.1 secs 0-60 mph.

The other diesel will be a 3.0L twinscroll 6 cylinder turbo diesel outputting 255 HP (no official torque number yet, but expect 400+ lb-ft torque). This will be an all new engine.

These engines will be paired with 8 speed automatics and make use of SCR technology (urea based … CONTINUED

With the official announcement from BMW of the New Navigation Professional and iDrive/ConnectedDrive, many of you have inquired when the technology (both a software and hardware [cpu, graphics processor, hard drive] upgrade) would be implemented on the various models.

Below is the scheduled rollout for the new navigation and iDrive. These dates do not apply to the new iDrive Touch system, which will have a separate rollout and application schedule.

[b]]July 2012 Production:[/b]

3 Series touring and Activehybrid 3 (F31/F30h)
5 Series, 5 Series GT, 5 Series LWB (F10/F11/F07/F18)
M5 (F10M)
7 Series (F01)
M6 Coupe and Convertible (F12/F13M)

[b]November 2012 Production:[/b]

3 Series Sedan (F30)

[b]March 2013 Production:[/b]

1 Series Hatchback (F20/F21)
6 Series Coupe, Convertible, Gran Coupe (F12/F13/F06)

[b]April 2013 Production:[/b]

X3 (F25)

For those curious, the list of hardware upgrades (vs. the current) … CONTINUED

The BMW 3 Series plays an important role in the BMW history. This documentary gives you an overview over six generations of the BMW 3 Series. Starting from 1975, every new model has its own characteristics, but always the same roots. The BMW 3 Series sedan is the latest representative of a long history.

BMW’s latest full-length global TV spot “Feeling Remains” captures the feeling of how driving a BMW never leaves you.

A nice car is one way to draw attention. But what does it take to be instantly noticed by the general public? Emotional styling and exotic engine sound might be a good recipe. Then again, it

Nuance Communications Inc. today announced that BMW will be making Dragon Drive! Messaging available in the new 2012 BMW 7 Series, BMW 3 Series Touring and BMW 3 Series ActiveHybrid vehicles, with additional models to follow. Dragon Drive! Messaging is a new BMW ConnectedDrive feature as part of the latest generation of BMW Navigation system Professional. Unveiled in May, Dragon Drive! Messaging is Nuance’s new automotive-grade connected car service that lets people speak emails and text messages.

The 2012 BMW 7 Series will be the first car ever to feature Dragon Drive! Messaging, hitting the market in July 2012, with the BMW 3 Series Touring and BMW 3 Series ActiveHybrid following later this year. Dragon Drive! Messaging delivers a fully-integrated mobile assistant messaging experience that lets drivers … CONTINUED