Paris show: BMW slowly reveals 3 Series details
BY TIM NICHOLSON | 26th Sep 2018
BMW has once again teased its all-important next-generation 3 Series sedan, providing the best look at the forthcoming mid-sizer yet.
The video posted online shows a new 3 Series on the production line at BMW’s Dingolfing plant outside Munich, Germany, revealing some of the sedan’s exterior design as well as elements of its cabin.
While it was expected to feature a similar design to its 5 Series sibling, it appears that the seventh-generation 3 will not just be a shrunken 5.
The blurred video shows that the tail-lights are nothing like the 5 Series, and instead have an L-shaped theme that is reminiscent of the Lexus RF coupe.
In another preview image showing the 3 Series under a sheet, the daytime running lights are similar to the hockey stick design theme of the DRL’s from Ford’s final Falcon, the FG X. The headlights also look more angled and high-tech than the current model.
That image also reveals a much larger kidney grille compared with the outgoing sixth-gen version that has been around since late 2011.
It also gains a character line running the length of the sedan, sitting just above the door handles, which is a departure as the outgoing car has a line that cuts through the door handles.
Set to be revealed at next week’s Paris motor show, the 3 Series is expected to be offered with a range of four- and six-cylinder engines, as well as plug-in hybrid variant, which was recently caught testing.
According to international reports, the updated electrified 3 Series is likely to feature more electric driving range than the outgoing 330e PHEV.
As previously reported, one of the powertrains is expected to be the most powerful four-cylinder engine ever fitted to a BMW, exceeding the 180kW/350Nm of the current 2.0-litre turbocharged unit.
The new engine will be paired with a ZF eight-speed automatic transmission, with improvements expected for fuel consumption and emissions.
The centre of gravity has been dropped by 10mm and it will have a 50:50 weight distribution, while weight-saving measures have cut about 55kg from the sedan.
More details will be revealed at next week’s Paris motor show. Keep an eye on GoAuto.com.au for all of the latest from the show floor.
