The first version of Munich’s iconic compact executive sedan not be built on local shores, the G20 rides on the automaker’s now widely used CLAR platform, and measures 4 709mm in overall length, with a wheelbase of 2 851mm, height of 1 442m and width of 1 827mm.

Longer and wider than the outgoing F30, in addition to being 55kg lighter, the G20, according to the marque’s online configurator, will initially be limited to two four-cylinder engines, with the six-cylinder M340i joining the line-up in September.

Offered in base, Sport Line (R23 600) and M Sport (R47 400) guises, petrol power in the 330i comes from a 2.0-litre turbo that punches out190kW/400Nm, while the same displacement motor does duty in the 320d where it makes135kW/300Nm. For the first time, the 3-series will not be equipped with a manual gearbox, for now, with both models making use of an eight-speed Steptronic, although an additional R3 000 gets the Sports tuned version of the same ‘box.

As before, the G20 is outfitted with an extensive range options, such as a wireless smartphone charger (R5 800), a 16-speaker Harman Kardon sound system (R11 400), Shadow Line high gloss exterior package (R6 200), glass sunroof (R14 300), electric tailgate (R7 350), Laserlights (R15 000), the BMW Live Cockpit made up of the 10.25-inch iDrive infotainment system and digital instrument cluster (R24 000) with Gesture Control (R4 000), Ambient interior lighting (R5 300), High Beam Assist (R2 150), Adaptive M suspension (R15 400), M Sport differential (R19 500) and Driving Assist Professional (R34 500) to name but a few.

Prices start at R649 253 for the 320d with the 330i kicking-off at R652 416.