Description
BMW introduced the fifth generation of the 3 Series at the 2005 Geneva Motor Show, releasing the car in two shapes, sedan and station wagon, and instantly polarized the market.
Surprisingly, the Sedan and the Touring version of the 3 Series fifth generation were penned by Joji Nagashima, who also created the shapes of the BMW 5 Series E39. While that model was considered among the best-designed mid-size executive sedans, the E91 (factory internal coding) was polarizing. BMW was looking for a new direction in its styling language, and for that, it employed Chris Bangle, whose ideas were highly praised by the brand's fans. To make things even more confusing, the automaker didn't use the same factory coding across the range. The Sedan was the E90, while the Touring was the E91. Later, the coupe and the convertible versions came with the E92 and E93 coding, respectively. However, customers were still attracted to the 3 Series thanks to the high-quality interiors, potent engines, and driving feel.
At the front, the E91 had a fascia similar to its sedan sibling's. It featured swept-back headlights sporting clear lenses and with a sharp angle on the outer side. Starting with this generation, the E91 returned to the kidney grille integrated into the broad, wrapped-around plastic bumper, not on the hood like its predecessor. Furthermore, the automaker created a pulled-out V shape that flanked it and went downward into the apron, where it created another air intake. In addition, the apron featured a pair of side intakes, which integrated the available fog lamps.
From its profile, the 2005 3 Series Touring (or Sports Wagon for the U.S. market) revealed its connection with its sedan brother since they both shared the same body panels up to the B-post. The long hood and raked windshield were followed by an extended roof on the E91, slightly sloped down towards the back of the vehicle, and ended into a tilted-forward tailgate at the back. BMW also offered various wheel options with 16-, 17-, or 18-inch alloy wheels. An M-Package was also available, adding a more aggressive-looking front bumper, aerodynamically profiled side sills, and a bumper with an integrated diffuser at the back. Like its predecessors, the fourth generation of the 3 Series Touring had an independently opening rear window for the tailgate, which allowed customers to load small items, such as shopping bags.
Inside, the automaker offered the 3 Series Touring with a choice of two dashboards, depending on the options. The base versions, without an infotainment system, had a low one with a raised section fronting the driver for the instrument cluster. The other version featured an additional cluster atop the center stack, where BMW installed a color display for the i-Drive infotainment system. Between the front occupants, the automaker installed a center console that housed the round controller for the infotainment unit and the gear selector. Unlike the previous generation, the E46, the E91 had the buttons for the power windows installed on the doors. In the back, the split-folding (60/40) bench seat could, in theory, accommodate three passengers, although the transmission tunnel dramatically limited legroom for those seated in the middle.
Under the hood, at the sales start, the 3 Series Touring came with a choice of gasoline engines and a turbodiesel. All were paired with six-speed manual gearboxes or a six-speed Steptronic automatic transmission, which allowed manual override for sportier, spirited driving sessions. Depending on the market, BMW offered the 3 Series with rear or all-wheel drive systems for almost all engine versions.
