InsideLine: 2013 BMW 3 Series – Early Look

[reak6ion]

Without a doubt one of the most challenging products to redesign in the BMW family, is the high-volume seller and moneymaker 3 Series. The model with the most fans around the world and several times awards winner is due for a refresh in 2013. While the details are sketchy at this stage in the game, several automotive publications are joining the prediction and assumption game.

InsideLine offers an early look at what we might see in 2013, but keep in mind, these assumptions could be misleading. According to IL, the new 2013 3 Series is styled after the F10 5 Series, which debuted last November.

First information that we can attest to is that the new 3 Series will go once again through a wheelbase increase. Second one, the 3 Series will come in five different flavors: sedan, coupe, convertible, touring and Gran Turismo.

Know internally as the Progressive Activity Coupe, the 3 GT has a higher roof when compared to the existing 3 Series Wagon and of course, a longer wheelbase as well. Following the steps of its “bigger brother”, 5 Series Gran Turismo, the 3 GT will be available in a smaller segment and will share some personalization features such as optional bench or individual seating . It will bring a personal approach to luxury and will differentiate itself from the Wagon model.

Although the 3 Series convertible just received a retractable hardtop for its last major redesign in 2007, InsideLine speculates that BMW is now considering reverting to a fabric soft top in place of the heavier steel roof. The new 6 Series will also continue to use a soft top.

Since efficiency seems to be the law within BMW these days, we expect to see a wide range of four-cylinder turbocharged engine, but don’t sweat quite yet, the six-cylinder powerplant will remain in this new model.

To continue down the same path of EfficientDynamics seen in the recent models, all variations of the new 3 Series will have stop-start technology and Valvetronic variable valve timing.

With increasing pressure from Audi, BMW has no room for mistakes and without a doubt, the pressure within the Munich-based company is quite high. We’re fairly confident that Adrian Van Hooydonk and his team of designers will give us one more time the Ultimate Driving Machine, the sport luxury automobile we all got accustomed to.

We wouldn’t want to be in the shoes of the designers that will win the internal design competition, but if the end-result is a success, they will become quite the stars.

Source:bmwblog.com

[Moe]

hmmmmmm...yes and no

[SSense]

Its too early to comment on any renderings of the 3 series..

[reak6ion]

At least we know they aim for high!! and will not disappoint us like with the 335is side mirrors( at least i hope!!)

[Wazif]

Yes, yes and no (based on pics) :D

[Haissam]

i'd rather wait 2 years....... still tooooooo early!

[M_Powerholic]

No please !

[hiten86]

its too soon to judge now, but i've got high hopes :D

[Bruno]

i hate the looks. it looks like a new lancer with a BMW badge!


on another note. I eagerly await ayham's comments.

subscribed!!

[ahmad.alkhalil]

I'm with Waz... yes yes and no to the pics! I actually love the front and the back... very sexy!

E30 rulezzz

:D

[SSense]

Renderings: 2012 F30 BMW 3 Series

Time doesn’t stop in the BMW world, not that it ever does, and several different models are being developed, designed and tested in parallel. The most important vehicle in the BMW lineup is without a doubt the 3 Series; a high-volume seller that represents the core of company’s sales year after year.

Due to launch in 2012, the next generation F30 3er Sedan has already been spotted in the past. Along with the new photos, a series of computer generated images are starting to pop up. One of the first magazines to take a stab at the next 3 Series is the German publication Auto Motor und Sport. In their latest edition, the German magazine gives us a rough, estimate look of what the F30 might look like.

As always, please take these renderings with a grain of salt since most of them are based on spy photos and some inside information.

So, what’s new in the F30 3 Series? First, the sedan will feature shorter overhangs, but at the same time, a longer wheelbase, at least 1.5″ longer than the current generation. Second, the F30 will sport a “pushing nose”, somewhat similar to the E89 Z4 front-end. The hood design will also most likely mimic one found in the Z4 and the new 5 Series, with more aggressive, but still fluent design lines.

With a longer wheelbase, BMW F30 also provides more legroom, both front and rear judging from the door cutline.

BMW will also enable the next 3 Series to feature the very latest in Efficient Dynamics technologies, such as aerodynamically designed wheels , BMW active aerodynamics, solar roof panel for extra energy efficiency in the use of interior controls, brake energy regeneration , stop-start technology , pre-heating technology for the engine, gearbox and differential. Many of the technology powering the new 3 Series, such as the climate control system or telematics, will be completely re-engineered.

Expect to see some new four and six cylinder engines, both petrol and diesel, and even a hybrid version. There were als rumors in the past that an all-electric 3er would be available at some point as well.

For the first time, the BMW 3 Series family takes on another “son”, a 3 Series Gran Turismo built on the same principle as the 5 GT.

The car will debut in 2012 and if we were to listen to the rumormill, the new F30 3 Series is more of a revolutionary car rather than a simple evolution.

Source: bmwblog

[Wazif]

wow!!! looks good :)..

it also looks much bigger than the current e9x series! the design cues are very similar in the new 7, 5 and 3ers :)

[Haissam]

3-series GT!

[SSense]

Renderings or Real Deal? – 2012 BMW 3 Series

In what is meant to be a controversial article, UK magazine AutoWeek publishes some photos of what they state to be the next generation F30 BMW 3 Series. While we have our own doubts that these indeed are the actual images of the new 3er, it’s our duty to still report the story and based on their previous track record, we are inclined to believe that the images below are simply computer generated images based on insider info and first spy photos.

The next generation BMW 3 Series is due out in 2012 and it is built on a new F30 platform used in the new X3 as well. The new 3 Series is shaping up to be one of the most technological advanced BMWs ever built by the Munich-based automaker.

Based on our own sources, BMW is getting back to basics with clean uncluttered shapes, plus lower and wider kidney grille openings. The sedan model will feature shorter overhangs, but at the same time, a longer wheelbase, at least 1.5″ longer than the current generation. The F30 will sport a “pushing nose”, somewhat similar to the E89 Z4 front-end.

The hood design will also most likely mimic one found in the Z4 and the new 5 Series, with more aggressive, but still fluent design lines. The 3 Series has its wheels pushed all the way out to the corners, which gives the car a great stance and muscular good looks.

BMW will also enable the next 3 Series to feature the very latest in Efficient Dynamics technologies, such as aerodynamically designed wheels , BMW active aerodynamics, solar roof panel for extra energy efficiency in the use of interior controls, brake energy regeneration , stop-start technology , pre-heating technology for the engine, gearbox and differential. Many of the technology powering the new 3 Series, such as the climate control system or telematics, will be completely re-engineered.

The new F30 3 Series will maintain the award winning 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine, but the rumor is that a new 1.5-liter three-cylinder unit will be available in petrol and diesel form, most likely derived from the setup seen in the Vision EfficientDynamics Concept.

Boosted by turbochargers, both will produce around 150 horsepower and thanks to their compact size, will offer real advantages in terms of packaging and weight distribution.

The diesel is set to return 75mpg and emit less than 100g/km of CO2, for example.

To improve efficiency, the six-cylinder engines will be matted to the new eight-speed automatic transmission.

The 2012 BMW 3 Series will be unveiled in late 2011.

Source: bmwblog