Photo credit: L' Automobile
Now that the midcycle refresh of the BMW 3 Series is done, work on the full redesign is well underway. According to sources in Europe, the 2013 BMW 3 Series will introduce a new body style or two, along with a completely revised engine lineup.
You know all those inline-6s that the 3 Series has been famous for? Well, they're on the way out as stricter fuel economy rules dictate smaller, more efficient power plants. In their place will be a range of turbocharged four-cylinder engines that will use BMW's latest Valvetronic system along with stop/start technology to deliver big horsepower and mileage numbers.
Even the mighty M3 will get downsized under the hood. The current V8 is expected to get the boot in favor of an inline-6 with twin turbochargers. Sound familiar?
In terms of body styles, all the usual suspects will be back including the coupe, sedan and wagon. A new addition is also expected in the form of a GT hatchback similar to the recently introduced 5 Series GranTurismo. No surprise then, that we were told to expect junior 5 Series styling across the board. Nothing wrong with that, but nothing very exciting either.
Photo credit: L' Automobile
slickersdrip says:
12:10 AM, 03/23/10
An attractive form following function, please? Is this just dead to automakers? I know high styling is the in thing now, but look at the R34 Skyline GT-R. An amazing piece of machinery that was beautiful as it was practical in its performance. In Z-Tune, obviously insane, but still beautiful (to me). E39 M5 just stunning with the understated look, but obvious in its wheels and the gaping maw at its front bumper. The stinger hood on the '67 Corvette. Just a great design in general... with some differentiation for the high end.
But the thing is, take out the top end models of the cars I've just listed and they're still iconically beautiful.
This new BMW... it's... angry looking without purpose. The e46 was just nice to look at as you walked away from it. This is just... why? What happened to you, BMW?
rick8365 says:
07:13 AM, 03/23/10
Tear in me eye over the phasing out of the I6 from the 3.
All good things come to an end, I guess.
blueguydotcom says:
07:44 AM, 03/23/10
Big step up in appearance from the current gen's plain-styling. This car doesn't scream Buick like the current gen.
Good for BMW for making their bread and butter better looking. Still not as nice as the last gen (e46) but nice enough.
mrryte says:
08:13 AM, 03/23/10
rick8365 says:
"Tear in me eye over the phasing out of the I6 from the 3.
All good things come to an end, I guess."
Rest easy my friend. This is just a temporary change. I'm sure that BMW will once more offer the 3-series with a I6 when this fuel economy craze dies down. ;-)
stovt001 says:
09:01 AM, 03/23/10
No more I6 and a GT body style? It is like BMW is reading my thoughts and doing everything they can to insure I never, ever want to own a BMW.
anythngbutgm says:
09:48 AM, 03/23/10
I see a bit of Mitsubishi EVO in that nose. The proposed design looks pretty slick IMO.
I HIGHLY doubt for a minute that Bimmer will just eliminate the I6 for their bread and butter model. One of the most satisfying engines of all time doesn't just "Go away"...
firstwagon says:
10:10 AM, 03/23/10
I would be very surprised if they dropped the inline 6 completely. More likely they will introduce new 4 cylinders on lower models.
I have no problem with that as most 3 series were powered by 4 cylinders for years.
I think a better way to comply with stricter fuel economy rules is to trim the size and weight of the car. A smaller engine will not always give you better mileage in the real world if it has to move the same amount of weight and overcome the same amount of drag. The energy required to do that doesn't change and thus the energy consumed by the car doesn't change.
mrryte says:
10:11 AM, 03/23/10
I'm beginning to suspect the credibility of this story.
First off; are these actual photos of the next 3 series or just PS?
Has a BMW rep publically cliamed that the I6 won't be available in the next 3 series?
Not trying to be difficult; just want to be sure that we're not getting working up over internet speculation.
blueguydotcom says:
12:01 PM, 03/23/10
@first,
Agree about size and weight. If they trim 200-300 lbs they'll get far better efficiency.
I like the somewhat angry look of the front. imagine that with an M3 front...nice. It looks like business, not the flaccid front on the e9x cars.
questionlp says:
01:29 PM, 03/23/10
Personally, I would opt for a 135is coupe (if and when they make one) over the 3-series, mainly due to size and weight. I absolutely understand the needs for a 3-series over a 1-series (number of passengers and passenger volume), but it has become bloated.
I'm all for improving efficiency, but even more for maintaining as much power and torque as possible while decreasing gas and oil consumption (not just for the "green" aspect).
jederino says:
01:53 PM, 03/23/10
This nose is a bit silly-looking. Like a cartoon dog. I see some Evo, Hyundai, a dash of Audi lighting, and cartoon dog.
roar02ram says:
02:21 PM, 03/23/10
These are just renderings, and unconvincing ones at that. Plus, I would think (hope) that BMW would return to smaller inline-6s (2.5 liters) before it resorted to 4-bangers.
estreka says:
04:00 PM, 03/23/10
I do like the idea of the 3-series getting back to it's roots, but the chassis is so bloated now, I can't imagine a 4-banger keeping people interested.