BMW has come up with a new facelifted 3-series to meet the new challengers – Audi A4 and Mercedes C-class. Changes are made with a new look,a new engine and an introduction of new transmission system. Styling revision includes a redesigned front bumper (less edgy), rounded grille,newly contoured bonnet,reworked headlamps, sharper side skirt and an all new graphics.Also new are the side mirrors, taillamps and a slightly revised bootlid. With this facelift BMW introduces new ‘BluePerformance’ brand – the firm’s equivalent to Mercedes’ BlueTec. The first BluePerfomance car will be a 330d fitted with a NOx trap, which will meet the forthcoming EU6 emissions regulations. However we don’t see any possiblity of BMW introducing this engine in India. Also new in the facelifted 3-series is the new seven-speed dual clutch transmission (DCT) launched in the M3 cabriolet. The 318d also gets the option of a new six-speed automatic. The interior gets a new look as well, with improved trim, a new center armrest and a second-generation iDrive system with four selector buttons for commonly used features such as the stereo. The iDrive system also gets a new 8.8in LCD display, and there’s an optional 80Gb hard drive music and navigation system as well. The new 3-series may hit the Indian market as well in 2009.