With more than 12.5 million units sold since its arrival in July 1975, the 3 Series has now entered a new chapter in its illustrious life with the launch last week of its sixth-generation model in this alluring city.

Just exactly how important is this new vehicle to the BMW brand?

Dr Udo Hanle, project manager for the 3 Series, summed it up when he told MotorMania:

"It is the heart of BMW and vital for the strength of the brand. The 3 Series accounts for 40% of our sales. In other words it is our bread and butter."

What is it?

When BMW will launch the new 3 Series in South Africa in March next year, expect to find a 320d, 328i and 335i on the showroom floor. To follow in May will be the 320i and, at a later date yet to be confirmed, the 330d.

Having the world's biggest selling premium car in your stable is definitely a feather in the-cap for the boys from Munich, but they haven't sat back and rested on their laurels. This new generation combines sportiness, practicality, technology and desirability in equal measures to produce what will be the talk of the town when it eventually arrives here.

How does it look?

Line it up next to a 5 Series and unless you have the eyesight of a hawk it is pretty hard to spot the difference from behind.

It's grown in size from its predecessor - and quite significantly when you look at the figures: length 93mm and wheelbase 50mm which all add to a more impressive street presence .

With its long hood, extended overhangs and flat headlights that reach as far as the BMW kidney grille, this new 3 Series has upped the game in the premium mid-size segment.

The interior is no different. It will come in three trim and equipment levels - Sport Line, Luxury Line and Modern Line - and the combinations as to what suits you are basically endless.

As you would expect from a vehicle of this level, it comes well specced and the dashboard is angled towards the driver for ease of reach.

What's it like to drive?

If you think you know the 328i from generations gone by, its time to think again.

Push the start button and that two-litre engine lying at the heart of the 328i purrs in to action.

Around the city of Barcelona driving was a breeze. The new eight-speed automatic gearbox (no manuals for SA thank you) slices through the gears with ease and it performs like the executive we have come to expect.

Head towards the twisties and a new animal emerges ... and takes no time to bare its teeth.

Dig deep in to that 180kW on offer and you won't be disappointed at the response. It's as subtle as a roundhouse kick by a Thai kickboxer. The head-up display enables one to concentrate on the job at hand - in our case this meant having as much fun as possible without being picked up by the Policia Nacional and spending the night in some cold, dingy Spanish cell.

Getting a comfortable driving position is simply a case of pressing some buttons to adjust the seat and steering wheel while the leather seats in our test car helped provide an enjoyable ride.

Any special features?

I'm sure most of you know the feeling of returning to your car with your hands full of parcels and then having to search about in your pocket for the key to unlock the boot.

Well fret no more. If you decide on one of these new 3 Series you get a hands-free boot lid opening function.

Simply stand behind the boot and a short movement of the foot under the bumper activates a sensor releasing the boot!

Other features to make your drive that bit more comfortable, and safe, include start-stop function across the range, lane-change warning system and lane-departure warning system.

Four driving programmes are available - sporty, ultra-sporty, comfortable and ECO PRO. Each is as easy to use as the flick of a switch.

Should you buy one?

If you had asked me a week ago whether I would buy a 3 Series the answer would have been a definite NO!

But this new generation does it for me. It looks more aggressive and those two-litre engines in both the 328i and 320d are the real deal.

There is a rich heritage to this particular car and what BMW has done is build on each generation before it to produce an excellent driver's vehicle.

If you are still not sure ... well consider the fact that 12.5 million people can't all be wrong!

BMW 320d

Engine: 1995cc four-cylinder eight-speed automatic

Power: 135kW at 4000rpm

Torque: 380Nm at 1750-2750rpm

0-100km/h: 7.5 seconds (claimed)

Top speed: 235km/h (claimed)

Fuel consumption: 4.5l/100km (claimed/combined)

CO2: 118g/km

Price: TBC

BMW 328i

Engine: 1997cc four-cylinder eight-speed automatic

Power: 180kW at 50000rpm

Torque: 350Nm at 1250-4800rpm

0-100km/h: 5.9 seconds (claimed)

Top speed: 250km/h (governed)

Fuel consumption: 6.4l/100km (claimed/combined)

CO2: 149g/km

Price: TBC

BMW 335i

Engine: 2979cc six-cylinder eight-speed automatic

Power: 225kW at 5800rpm

Torque: 400Nm at 1250-5000rpm

0-100km/h: 5.5 seconds (claimed)

Top speed: 250km/h (governed)

Fuel consumption: 7.2 l/100km (claimed/combined)

CO2: 169g/km

Price: TBC

We like:

Great combination of power, sophistication and heritage

We don't like:

Having to wait until March to drive one again