The current E90 BMW 3-Series has been on the market since 2005, so it’s long overdue for a replacement, even though it’s one of the most charismatic models in the segment. Thankfully, the new engine range is almost complete and the Bavarians are making improvements in terms of design, so the next-gen should almost be ready.
From a design point of vie, we can expect to see a lot being borrowed from the 2007 Concept CS, though there should also be an added dose of the latest 7- and 5-Series. These are the latest spy shots of a car in prototype form, revealing very similar proportions to the current model and with the production head and tail lights installed. Most details are still masked, but we can tell the grill is smaller and more elongated, while the lights have stretched a bit. The 3-Series is BMW’s bread and butter, so it will play things safe to conserve mass-market appeal.
As expected, the new 3er gets a full LED treatment. At the front, the white Corona ring headlights seem to be slightly longer than the current version, while the side indicators are placed just underneath the main character line that travels the whole length of the car. In the back, LED taillights are still mostly covered, so it’s a guessing game at the moment.
Due to arrive in late 2012 as a 2013MY, the new car will pay special attention to efficiency, and it will achieve that goal through the usual mix of EfficientDynamics technology. Low drag aerodynamics, smaller displacement engines and high-tech electronics will combine to make the next 3-Series a step above what we’ve come to know. Expect to see 2.0-liter engines to dominate most of the range in both diesel and petrol forms.
From a design point of vie, we can expect to see a lot being borrowed from the 2007 Concept CS, though there should also be an added dose of the latest 7- and 5-Series. These are the latest spy shots of a car in prototype form, revealing very similar proportions to the current model and with the production head and tail lights installed. Most details are still masked, but we can tell the grill is smaller and more elongated, while the lights have stretched a bit. The 3-Series is BMW’s bread and butter, so it will play things safe to conserve mass-market appeal.
As expected, the new 3er gets a full LED treatment. At the front, the white Corona ring headlights seem to be slightly longer than the current version, while the side indicators are placed just underneath the main character line that travels the whole length of the car. In the back, LED taillights are still mostly covered, so it’s a guessing game at the moment.
Due to arrive in late 2012 as a 2013MY, the new car will pay special attention to efficiency, and it will achieve that goal through the usual mix of EfficientDynamics technology. Low drag aerodynamics, smaller displacement engines and high-tech electronics will combine to make the next 3-Series a step above what we’ve come to know. Expect to see 2.0-liter engines to dominate most of the range in both diesel and petrol forms.