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Now being introduced in the new BMW 3 Series, Active Steering has indeed been enhanced by an important additional feature: When applying the brakes on surfaces with different frictional coefficients such as patches of ice,
snow and asphalt, the driver benefits from Active Steering intervening actively in the steering system to stabilise the car more quickly and more precisely than a normal driver ever could.
Latest-generation DSC.
The latest generation of DSC Dynamic Stability Control also serves to ensure a supreme standard of all-round safety. On the six-cylinder models DSC comes additionally with very useful functions such as dry braking of the brake discs on wet roads or brake standby by pre-aligning the brake pads.
Two phenomena now also avoided are the car rolling back when setting out on an uphill gradient and brake dive shortly before the car comes to a standstill.
As a result of all these improvements, BMW's Sports Saloon further enhances its leadership in terms of driving dynamics, already one of the car's strongest points.
ACC Active Cruise Control: The joy of being driven.
ACC Active Cruise Control is far more than just a conventional speed
control system, since it actively monitors traffic conditions around the driver and his car.
Incorporating a radar distance sensor, ACC Active Cruise Control determines the distance from the car ahead and adjusts both road speed and the distance from the leading vehicle in specific, pre-determined steps. This makes the ACC function virtually ideal for cruising along in a steady flow of traffic with only moderate traffic density. The system maintains the desired speed regardless of external factors and conditions and without the driver having to intervene.
If necessary, ACC will even reduce the speed of the car automatically to maintain the distance required.
All the driver has to do in this case is specify the current speed by pressing the appropriate control knob, the system then saving the current speed level
and maintaining this speed until the driver intervenes himself either by giving gas or applying the brakes.

Unique design giving the 3 Series the profile of a dynamic
and elegant Sports Saloon.
In its design language, the 3 Series clearly stands out as a unique, self-confident, dynamic and elegant Sports Saloon. Coming right in the middle of BMW's modern design range, the new 3 Series harmonises the design cues of the BMW Z4 or, as another example, the BMW 1 Series with all the elegance of the BMW 5 and 7 Series. Particularly characteristic features are the short overhangs, the passenger cabin moved far to the rear, as well
as the long engine compartment lid. With the car's dimensions increased
considerably both outside and inside, the interior is light, spacious
and generous, clearly reflecting the lifestyle of the car's target group.
In facts and figures: Overall length is 4,520 millimetres/178.0'' (+ 49 mm/
1.93'' over the former model), width measures 1817 millimetres/71.5''
(+ 78 mm/3.07''), and height is 1,421 millimetres/55.9'' (+ 6 mm/0.24''). Wheelbase, finally, is a significant 2,760 millimetres/108.7'' (+ 35 mm/1.38'').
Body progress: lighter, stiffer, safer.
Even stiffer and at the same time lighter in terms of its specific weight, the body of the new 3 Series makes a significant contribution to the car's perfect concept harmony. Intelligent lightweight engineering in this case means
specific use of upgraded steel and steel forming technologies. Incorporating a truss structure for all load-bearing functions, body stiffness is up overall by
25 per cent, without increasing the weight of the car versus its predecessor.
In a side-on collision: the safest 3 Series the world has ever seen.
In terms of its design and structure, the new BMW 3 Series is built for
optimum results in the EuroNCAP crash test. And it is one of the first passenger cars in the world prepared for the extremely demanding side-
impact requirements in the USA as well as the high-speed rear impact test.
Apart from the optimised belt systems, the passenger safety system comes
as standard with no less than six airbags: the driver, front passenger, hip, thorax, and curtain head airbags.
Proven technology for extra safety.
Apart from the regular halogen dual headlights featured as standard, the
customer also has the choice of bi-xenon headlights with or without adaptive control as an option. BMW's bi-xenon headlights with adaptive control in bends ensure optimum illumination of the road ahead, with ongoing, continuous and dynamic adjustment of the headlight units themselves. This significantly improves the driver's visibility particularly in bends, where the headlights dynamically following the course of the road light the way for the driver as if by magic.

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