New BMW 3 Series – it’s nearly with us

AN all-new BMW 3 Series is always a big event. So watch out for the news from Paris next week when BMW unveils the latest version of its brilliant business executive.

This will be BMW 3 Series Generation 7. And reports suggest that it will be an evolution of what has gone before. The car has too many friends and fans in the business, fleet and retail sector to start alienating them with whacky designs.

So the car sitting below the sheet will likely feature new grille, lights and tail treatment but still be recognisably a BMW 3 Series.

What we do know is that the car will feature a new, more interactive dashboard.

BMW says its new digital BMW Cockpit with Operating System 7.0 display and control concept has been significantly upgraded in the area of voice recognition and gesture control.

Another new feature will be the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant, an adaptive digital character that responds to the prompt “Hey BMW”. This sounds similar to the MBUX system used in the new A-Class.

The new 3 Series will likely feature a range of diesel and petrol engines, but expect significant electrification – there will be plug-in hybrid PHEVs and full electric models, the first time for a 3 Series.

And while plenty of manufacturers are giving Paris a swerve this year, the new BMW 3 Series will certainly make up for it. I’m looking to forward to seeing the car in the metal.

Ford launches online sales channel

There’s a new way to buy a Ford. It’s online. You can do it at home. You can use it in the newly-opened Digital FordStore in Manchester’s Arndale shopping centre.

Kevin Griffin, Ford Sales Director, told me: “We are changing the way consumers interact with our brand and responding to the way they want to purchase vehicles, particularly female buyers. With our new Online Sales service, the customer is in control every step of the way; they can buy in-store today or complete their purchase online at home.”

Find out more on Motor Trade News: New Ford Online Sales service puts customer in control 

London is van tool thief central

It’s really such a scummy thing to do. Pinching tools from a van. It not only disables a tradesperson’s day – no tools = can’t work – but it’s the sheer cost of replacement, both in financial terms and in terms of inconvenience (think insurance claims and so on). And yet it’s becoming a bigger and bigger issue. Read more in London is hot spot for tool theft from vans.

Going electric

So this is it. I’m plugged in and joining the new wave of EV drivers with a VW e-Golf. And I’m really enjoying it (especially that bit about not having to go to fuel filling stations). The only problem is fighting my wife for the steering wheel.

Initially she was massively sceptical. Now I can’t get her out of it! More here: Going electric: VW e-Golf.