UPDATED versions of the BMW 3 Series saloon and estate models have been announced and will be priced from £36,670 when they arrive later in the summer.

The changes include a new-look kidney grille, slimmer headlights and BMW's latest technology which sees its Curved Display instrument panel in the cabin.

All nine models will be fitted with eight-speed steptronic transmissions as standard while there is a choice of six engines including mild-hybrid and plug-in powertrains as well as two M performance versions.

Diesel models are priced from £39,515 while the plug-in hybrid versions are priced from £42,610.

The range topping M340 models cost from £52,965 and are fitted with BMW's xDrive all-wheel-drive system which is available throughout the range and priced from £38,220.

The greatest change for the latest versions of BMW's top-selling saloon and Tourer is on the inside which sees the cars fitted with new-look instrumentation including two digital displays that come together across the dashboard.

Other changes include slimmer air vents and a new-look control panel on the centre console with additional touch-controlled surfaces and redesigned gear selector. Paddle shifters are now standard across the range.

Other new additions to standard specification are an automatically dimming rear-view mirror, parking sensors front and rear with the BMW Live Cockpit Plus system that has the BMW Maps navigation system.

Options include a Harman Kardon surround sound system, an electrically operated sunroof and for the M340 saloons a carbon-fibre roof.

Since the 3 Series was first launched in 1975 it has notched up some 16 million sales and was market leader in its class in the UK, Germany and China in 2021.