BMW unveils 3 Series Long Wheelbase in China

BMW has unveiled a Long Wheelbase version of the 3 Series sedan at the Shanghai Motor Show. The car will be exclusive to the Chinese market, where consumers prefer more rear seat legroom. It will be manufactured by BMW Brilliance Automotive at its Tiexi plant in Shenyang, in north-eastern China.

The 3 Series Long Wheelbase appears very similar to the regular car, but its wheelbase has been stretched by 11 cm and its rear doors have been lengthened as well. BMW claims that the car's legroom has gone up by 43 mm.

On the inside, the 3 Series Long Wheelbase gets reworked rear seats, new centre armrest and ambient light stripes on the seatbacks of the front seats. China-specific features like extra soft headrests are also being offered in the car.

Offered in the 325 Li variant, the car is powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine developing 181 BHP and 300 Nm of torque. The engine is mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission.

Source: BMW BLOG