Preview: Next-gen BMW 3-series

Posted Wed Jul 4 2007 10:15 AM by Alex Kaufmann

The current E90 BMW 3-series has only been on the market since 2005 but details about the next-gen model are already circulating with most agreeing that the next model will feature styling lifted from the Concept CS. Due in 2012, the next BMW 3-series will be the first of a family of BMW cars with a more recognizable face derived from the original styling of the Shanghai concept.

With the new 3-series, designers will attempt to address criticisms of the current car's awkward styling and lack of interior space. These renderings, compiled using information from sources close to the project show that the new car will have a pronounced kidney-grille with the air-intakes positioned on either side of the bumper just below the headlights.

The bonnet will sit much higher than on the current model to improve pedestrian safety, while the sides will be marked with a prominent character line and high beltline. Proportions will remain much the same as the current model but weight will be reduced thanks to the increased use of aluminum in its construction.

New options for the 2012 3-series will include hybrid variants as well as the latest version of BMW’s Efficient Dynamics. The X-Drive AWD system is likely to gain favour thanks to a redesign of the system to reduce weight, which will only increase fuel consumption by 0.5L per 100km over RWD models. Other features that may make it to production include night-vision devices, a heads-up display and radar safety systems. Full images after the jump.

Reader Comments

Wed Jul 4 2007 1:26 PM
HECTOR says

I like it! Finally Chris Bangle's bullshit flame surface design influence is waning...
Wed Jul 4 2007 6:36 PM
Ryanza says

looks nice! I like it & I like the X-Drive to gain favour bit too!
Sat Jul 7 2007 9:45 AM
L4es says

I was hoping to be driving a hovering car by 2012. Dammit.
Sat Jul 7 2007 2:20 PM
youjarredme says

can anybody say hyuandai genesis. the front end is a little akward with kidneys so far ahead of the lights. but handsome at the very least
Wed Jul 11 2007 12:26 AM
Tiffany says

looks a dodge charger.. yuck!
Wed Jul 11 2007 12:40 PM
ultima says

its a good rendering, but i think it looks a bit aggressive for something thats supposed to be as ubiquitos as the three series
Wed Jul 11 2007 8:01 PM
Rob says

Soo..... It will have BMW's "Angel Eyes" +AND+ AUDI's S6 LEDs in the bumper? I hope that's a turn signal, as the Angel Eyes alone are just fine. I like both Audi's and BMWs very much but I'd like to think I can tell the difference between the two when they are rushing up on me in my rearview or coming head on.
Thu Jul 12 2007 6:13 PM
pacsum says

Yeah what's with those Audi like LEDs
Sun Jul 15 2007 11:16 AM
rakan(saudiarabia says

fuck you all mether fucker stuped sanva beches asols pussys jack ass..........
Sat Feb 9 2008 6:47 AM
AR says

BMW should employ someone to read through all the comments out there. They might have found out that the vision of a daft prick designer was quite something else. I've always driven BMW's, but not spending one penny out of my pocket towards this abomination of design that is the current 3series. And if this is what they think of the next model, I suggest they shelf for 6 months and then look at it with fresh eyes. One suggestion only - bottom line of the headlights aligning with some virtual thing in the middle of the grille. You at BMW have long held traditions. I like how the long wheel base feels on the road, the ergonomic interior. You have the traditional L shaped tail lights; why arranging them upside down just for the sake of be different. Different without substance I mean. Why don't you take the MINI design team to look into the 3series. They have done a marvellous job there.
Wed Mar 12 2008 12:50 PM
mlevere1992 says

AR, I don't think that this is an official BMW rendering. More like someone in a design studio, mag or someone with just good Photoshop skills putting their twist on what the next 3-series will look like. We have 4 years before the next model comes out and I bet they are just getting started on designing the looks of the car. This is mearly grafting the front of the CS concept onto a smaller car that kind of looks like a 3-series. I saw these same photos with the catption of it being the next 5-series.

I really don't like the look of the large openings in the bottom of the bumper and the grill is way to big. It dominates the front way too much. No BMW has ever had a grill that big.
Wed Mar 12 2008 1:31 PM
Adam says

Not too bad, but I think the kidneys will be smaller... maybe something like they had in the 80's with the model determining the size of the grille (3-series being the smallest, 750iL having the widest kidneys). That would seem to make more sense to me, this way you can tell the model of the car more easily from a distance. I like how it's angled out, however.
Sun Aug 3 2008 6:26 AM
Steve says

I want one! We have the present 323i and we think it is great in all respects except small boot and cheap looking tail lights. BMW seem to have addressed both issues and have the perfect car for 2009. I just hope we will still feel that way about it in 2012.

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