(Tue 15 Jul 08)

An updated version of the BMW 3-Series will go on sale in the UK on 20 September, three and a half years after the current range was introduced.

Both the saloon and estate have been restyled to make them look, in BMW's words, more muscular and sporting. There are practical considerations too, though - the door mirrors, for example, will be larger than before in the interests of improved visibility, while the iDrive system has been revised for "added convenience and improved functionality".

Ten engines will be available from launch, split equally between petrol and turbo diesel, and in general they are either as powerful as before or more so (particularly in the case of the 330d, which is up 14bhp to 245bhp) as well as being in several cases more economical and less CO2-emitting, to the extent that several will drop one VED band.

Other highlights include include a six-speed automatic gearbox available for the first time on the 318d.

Prices will be announced nearer the launch date.

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