Here are the latest spy shots of the next Bmw 3-Series Coupe, which many people think will end up being called ‘4-Series‘. The model is well into its texting stage by now, and it is believed that it might be officially unveiled in the course of this year, most likely at the 2012 Paris Motor Show, in October. In comparison to the 3-Series 3 F30, the new model seems to have a more sleek line, especially as far as the roof line is concerned. This is also because the new model will have longer doors and, probably, no frames for the side windows.

From an aesthetic point of view there should not be any revolutionary change in comparison to the current model, the E92, but just a number of subtle cosmetic upgrades, especially in the front end area. As usual, the engine range should be almost identical to the one of the 3-Series, with the possible eventual addition of the much hyped 450 hp turbocharged 3.3-litre 6 cylinder unit that will equip the next

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BMW just released an official video documenting how the design of its new 3-series F30 sedan came together. The footage include contributions from some of the designer that worked on the project, and it is quite self explanatory for itself, telling us what were the principles that eventually led to the final product. Both interior and exterior designs are discussed, therefore, if you are not too impressed with the aesthetics of the 3-Series F30, you know who’s to blame.

via | Motor Authority

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Bmw released an 8 minute long video presentation of its new 3-series F30 range, which will feature 3 lines: Sport, Modern e Luxury. The clip is pretty self-explanatory, focusing on the main differences among these three versions in terms of design and finishing. The footage has been realized with contribution from most of the key-figures that took part in the design of the new 3-series, offering a detailed and complete overview of the new sedan from the German manufacturer.

The new Bmw 3-Series offers a choice of four engines, all of which feature the new Bmw TwinPower Turbo technology. These include two diesel engines as well as the already well known 300 hp 3.0-litre 6-cylinder petrol engine in the 335i variant and the brand new 240 hp 2.0-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder engine in the 328i variant. The power is managed by a 6-speed manual transmission (standard) or by the optional 8-speed automatic which can be combined in any engine variants. A hybrid variant, called the ActiveHybrid 3, will also be made available next fall.

video | Autoblog.it

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Bmw released new official info and pictures of the 3-Series F30, which will be available in four versions: standard, Sport Line, Modern Line and Luxury Line. The design of the F30 is actually quite different from the previous E90 model, and this is even more evident with these versions, that will soon be joined by the traditional M-Sport variation in Summer 2012. This new generation of 3-Series has been designed to give more space to rear passengers, who will get an extra 15 mm legroom and 8 mm more on the top of their heads. The re-designed dashboard is angled around the driver and features many elements that reminds of the recent 1-series.

The new Bmw 3-Series F30 will come with turbocharged 4-cylinder 2.0 (245 hp) and 3.0 (306 hp) petrol or 2.0 diesel (184 hp) engines, although in Europe BMW will once again offer the ultra-efficient and environmental-friendly 320d EfficientDynamics unit (163 hp), boasting an average fuel consumption of only 3,4 l/100 km and CO2 Emissions of 109 g/km. Standard equipment will include 17″ alloy wheels, automatic air-con, Bluetooth phone connectivity, BMW Professional radio with 6.5″ color screen and iDrive, keyless starting, a USB port, multi-function leather steering wheel, cruise control and automatic boot opening.

The car is equipped with a Drive Performance Control that offer a choice of four driving modes, from Sport to the innovative ‘Eco Pro’, a selection that would electronically modify a number of parameters (affecting engine, transmission, air conditioner and cooling system just to name a few) in order to optimize consumption and emissions. In 2012 the very first hybrid 3-Series will also join the fold, the ActiveHybrid 3, which will be powered by the supercharged 306 hp 3.0-litre petrol unit coupled with a 82 hp electric engine, with average fuel consumption of 6,4 l/100 km.

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The new BMW 3 Series sedan makes a splash with its shapely front end as it makes a bid to restyle a historic model for the brand. As we saw in the first official video, the 2012 3 Series will come in four versions at launch date: 328,i 335i, 320d and 320d EfficientDynamics. All three will try to continue the sporty driving style which characterises this nameplate with the entry level 328i kicking things off with its 2.0-litre TwinPower engine with 245 hp and 350 Nm.

The 3 Series 335i comes with a three-litre TwinPower turbo unit providing 306 hp and 400 Nm of torque. The first diesels will be the 320d with 184 hp and 380 Nm which consumes just 3.66 litres of fuel per 100 km, and the even more economical 320d Efficient Dynamics with 163 hp and 380 Nm, and fuel consumption of 3.41 l/100 km.

Without driving it, our verdict so far is that new front end adds a lot to the tradition of the BMW 3 Series but also brings the sports sedan in line with the updated BMW range. If you’re up for a new 3 Series and want the sportiest thing around, you’ll be buying the Sport Line model. Otherwise other trims available are Luxury Line, Modern Line and finally the 3 Series M Sport Package. Check out more videos after the jump.

Continue reading: BMW 3 Series official videos

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BMW 3 Series F30: there are high expectations for this saloon, especially considering that the 3-Series at the moment on its own represents the 20% of BMW’s sales. We’ve seen the official pictures, we’ve seen the video, now let’s get down to business and talk about some technical specs. The BMW 3-Series F30 measures 4.62 m in length (+9 cm), 1.43 in height (+3 cm), is 1.81 wide (+3 cm) with a wheelbase of 2.81 m (+5 cm) which means a roomier passenger compartment.

People sitting at the back will in fact have from now on an extra 15 mm to stretch their legs in and an extra 8 mm for their head. The rear-wheel drive has been confirmed, the overhall weight has dropped of 50 kg and the drag coefficient is of a remarkable 0.26. The loading capacity has increased of 20 l and now measures a total of 480 l.

At launch, the 3-Series will be available in the 328i, 335i, 320d and 320d EfficientDynamics versions. The 328i mounts a 2.0 l TwinPower Turbo supplying 245 hp and 350 Nm torque. It reaches 0-100 km/h in 6.1 secs, it uses 5.25 l of petrol every 100 km and CO2 emission levels are of 149 g/km.

The 335i has a six-cylinder 3.0 l TwinPower Turbo supplying 306 hp and 400 Nm, goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.5 secs and needs 6.57 l every 100km and has CO2 emissions of 169 g/km. Both of them can reach a self-limited speed of 250 km/h while for the 320d with the 184 hp/380 Nm variation it’s all a different matter, it reaches a maximum speed of 235 km/h, goes from o to 100 km/h in 7.5 secs and only requires 3.66 l of diesel every 100 km with CO2 emissions of 118 g/km.

Continue reading: BMW 3 Series F30: technical specs

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The launch of the new BMW 3 Series has strategically developed through the publication of almost 100 new images and a video aimed at dispelling any doubt about its bodywork’s aesthetic. The designers have chosen to stick to the BMW E90’s lines, modifying only some parts: the side for instance is almost unaltered, the back reminds the 5 Series’ style without ditching the E90, while the front is what makes the news. Inspired by the i8 Concept, it comes across as quite striking with stretched out optical units and a bulging bonnet.

View the full BMW 3 Series F30: more official pics gallery.

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Here’s the first official photo gallery dedicated to the BMW 3 Series F30, which will be available on the market from February 2012 with a starting price of £24,100. The engines to choose from are either a TwinPower Turbo (328i), a 3.0 TwinPower Turbo (335i) or a 2.0 diesel (320d and 320d EfficientDynamics) and this new saloon will be presented in three versions: Sport Line, Luxury Line and Modern Line. All of them will be geared up with a new Head-Up colour Display featuring functions such as the speedo, the current speed limit, Lane Departure Warning and sat-nav directions.

The range will include soon all-wheel drive models such as the 335i xDive, 328i xDrive, 320i xDrive and 320d xDrive, while according to Autocar.co.uk the 318d, 330d, 325d and 335d will hit the market at the end of March.

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It was no surprise to find out that the new BMW 3-series, code named F30, will be available in a Hybrid version as well. Even though plans for the X6 Active Hybrid have been dropped, BMW still has the ActiveHybrid5 and the ActiveHybrid7 in the works, and is also developing hybrid versions of the 1-series range. This 3-series Hybrid prototype was spotted running some laps around the Nürburgring and - apart from the stickers on sides and rear - there is nothing in sight that would tell us it actually is a Hybrid version. Stickers are a must during testing, because police and other helpers need to be aware of the danger with electric power, in case of an accident.

Furthermore, we believe that the same engine currently being tested on the ActiveHybrid5 - a 3.0 liter six-cylinder connected to an electrical engine delivering some 40 kW - will be shared with the ActiveHybrid3. So, when will the ActiveHybrid3 come? Well, since testing is at full pace, with plenty of 3-series prototypes with Hybrid stickers around, we believe it will hit the showrooms within a year from the launch of the next BMW’s 3-series range, due by the end of this year.

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This video shows BMW testing in Death Valley, California, and while we’re unlikely to go wandering through there anytime soon, it’s nice to know that our cars can cope with sitting in traffic on summer days. Apparently we also get a glimpse of the 2012 BMW 3 Series F30 in amongst the test mules.

The new 3 Series model will be slightly bigger than the current one and we should get a range of efficient engines, all likely turbocharged with a hybrid model to come at a later date. Could we see it at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show? Meanwhile rumours suggest that the new BMW 3 Series GT is actually not a Gran Turismo model but an all-new BMW 4 Series.

It could prove to be a four-door coupé that would compete with highly popular models like the Audi A5 Sportback. An eventual BMW 4 Series would sit between the 3 and 6 Series in terms of luxury fit-out and price. It’s strictly a rumour at this stage with no official whisperings of a range expansion of this sort from BMW right now.

Source | BMW Blog here and here

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The 2010 BMW 3 Series coupé and cabriolet show some small changes to the style of the range, but this model year mostly focuses on a new engine range updated to comply with Euro 5 anti-pollution laws. The BMW 3 Series keeps its elegant (and successful) style, with a few sports features keeping it interesting enough.

There are new bi-xenon headlights with LED lights and indicators, and a few slight changes to the front of the car. The bumpers get a new design with brushed finish and the front bonnet ‘V’ is more pronounced. The rear keeps its bumper shape with a few changes, again, to the lights. The BMW M3 keeps its design with no changes to the bodywork, including only some touches to the headlights.

The 2010 BMW 3 Series engine line-up is comprised of the six-cylinder TwinPower unit with 3.0-litres, 306 hp and 400 Nm of torque. It uses the Valvetronic direct injection system with to get fuel consumption of 8.4 litres and 8.8 litres per 100 km on the coupé and cabriolet respectively, and acceleration to 100 km/hr of 5.5 and 5.8 seconds.

2010 BMW 3 Series pics

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The BMW 3 Series coupe and cabriolet facelift for 2011 will also get the M-Sport treatment with sports bumpers and side skirts. M-Sport 18-inch wheels are included (19-inch wheels are available as an option), with sports wheels base and xeno lights. No interior pics are available of the 3 series M-Sport, but we can expect the sports style to continue inside with sports seats, alcantara fabric, and black tint. No autobloc differential is included which is a shame, but more details should be released soon. More pics of the new 3 Series coupe and cabriolet are below, with the first official video after the jump.

Continue reading: BMW 3 Series M-Sport package: more pics and video

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