China has since long seen the demand for sedans rise a lot. That’s why automakers such as Mercedes, Audi, and BMW produce longer wheelbase versions of their luxury sedans exclusively for the Chinese market.
The all-new 2019 BMW 3-Series is the latest sedan to get the long wheelbase treatment. The long wheelbase version is named the BMW 3-Series Li and measures 4830 mm long, making it 120 mm longer than the standard wheelbase model. This makes the LWB 3-Series nearly as long as new 5-Series.
Most of the extra length will be applied to the wheelbase, which now measures 2930 mm. That should be enough to give tall rear passengers a generous amount of legroom.
BMW showcased the 325 Li M Sport sedan in pictures. While it looks nearly identical to the global model, the rear doors are slightly longer to accommodate the stretched wheelbase. Being the equivalent to Europe’s 320i, the stretched sedan is powered by a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine that produces 184 PS. 0-100 km/hr is achieved in 7.2 seconds. BMW will also offer more powerful version for the 3-Series like the 330i.
The new BMW 325 Li will be built by the BMW Brilliance joint venture at the Shenyang plant. While China won’t be getting the standard wheelbase 3-Series, the 325 Li will compete with other China-only luxury sedans like the Audi A4 L, Jaguar XE L, and Mercedes-Benz C-Class L.