Photo: CarPix
You’d better be prepared for the hundreds of spy photos we’re going to be receiving from now on of the facelifted BMW 3 Series which is due to come out next year. That’s because the car seems to have entered the final straight and most of the details look like they’ve been settled already.
According to our source inside BMW, the F30 and F31 LCI will be making their debuts at the Geneva Motor Show, next year. They will then enter production in July 2015 to arrive in showrooms only weeks later.
The big news about the upcoming models seems to be the introduction of a couple of new engines but we’re also noticing fresh design details per our latest batch of spyshots here. As you can see, the M Sport kit seems to be sporting a slightly different look that isn’t completely clear for now due to the camo.
Other interesting bits refer to the new LED headlights that you can notice here as well, an option that was previously available only for cars of the higher echelon, starting with the 4 Series. On top of that, we’re also going to see the first ever plug-in hybrid 3 Series launched.
The internal combustion engines
For starters, BMW wants to introduce the B family of engines that will replace some of the older plants still in production. The 320i for example will get the new B48 plant from the MINI Cooper S that makes 192 HP and 300 Nm (221 lb-ft) of torque.
The 328i will be replaced completely by a new 330i version that will be making close to 272 HP while the 335i will be called 340i and will be using a B58 6-cylinder plant making 330 HP.
Batteries will be stowed over the rear axle split between the cabin and the boot and will have a capacity of around 20 kWh which would be enough for a range of 20 miles on electric power alone. In pure EV mode, the car will also reach 75 mph (120 km/h).
The 328i will be replaced completely by a new 330i version that will be making close to 272 HP while the 335i will be called 340i and will be using a B58 6-cylinder plant making 330 HP.
Plug-in hybrid for the efficient side of things
Apart from the new petrol and diesel plants, we’ll also get to drive around in the 328e version which is a plug-in hybrid. Making 245 HP combined and plenty of torque thanks to the electric motor encompassed in the gearbox, fuel consumption is supposed to reach 121 mpg (2 l/100 km) which is even better than what the i8 is capable of.Batteries will be stowed over the rear axle split between the cabin and the boot and will have a capacity of around 20 kWh which would be enough for a range of 20 miles on electric power alone. In pure EV mode, the car will also reach 75 mph (120 km/h).
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