Here is the best glimpse yet of BMW's volume-selling 3-Series sedan due for unveiling late next year. Caught wearing very little camouflage by Drive's spy photographers, the sixth-generation luxury sedan (internally known as F30) will grow in most directions and sit on a longer wheelbase for more rear-seat legroom.With BMW returning to a Russian doll-design approach across its range, expect the Bavarian brand's most-important model to borrow familiar styling cues from the larger 5- and 7-Series executive saloons while retaining its squat proportions, short front and rear overhangs and signature 'Hofmeister kick' rear-side glasshouse.
The spy photos reveal a widened kidney grille nestled between shapely headlights that feature obligatory daytime-running halo rings and L-shaped LED tail-lights and side indicators integrated into the exterior mirrors.
Powering the 3-Series range will be a new family of more-efficient four- and six-cylinder turbocharged petrol and diesel engines including the recently unveiled 2.0-litre 'TwinPower' turbo-four that debuted in the X1 compact SUV and due to power the Z4 roadster.
The turbo four produces a hefty 180kW of power and 350Nm of torque from an instant 1250rpm, which - though slightly down on power - is well up on torque over the low-output 3.0-litre six-cylinder unit (190kW/310Nm) that currently powers several BMW models with a '28i' suffix.
Engine technologies include variable intake- and exhaust-valve timing, a twin-scroll turbocharger, direct fuel injection, an aluminium crankcase as well as BMW's 'EfficientDynamics' fuel-saving ensemble comprising regenerative braking, automatic engine start-stop, on-demand ancillaries and a gearshift indicator. An eight-speed automatic is likely to be the standard transmission with power continuing to drive the rear wheels.
Also expect techno gadgetry that's currently available in the 5- and 7-Series to trickle down in the 3-Series including a lane-departure warning system, a fatigue detection system and radar-based cruise control with collision-mitigating automatic braking.
The 3-Series will sit on a new modular platform, which allows BMW to spin off extra models while reducing production costs. These include wagon (or Touring in BMW speak), Coupe, Convertible and a 3-Series GT — a five-door hatch-cum-coupe similar to the 5-Series Gran Turismo.
The Coupe and Convertible models will again be visually distinguished by uniquely shaped lighting units and subtle design sculpture. The Convertible will retain the folding hardtop roof mechanism of today's model, which is said to be the best-selling 3-Series drop-top ever. BMW says its customers are attracted to the Convertible's coupe-like design with the roof in place.
Further down the pipeline, BMW will roll out an M3 high-performance halo model around 2014 and an 'Active Hybrid' variant that will use a range-extending three-cylinder petrol engine connected to two electric motors. Believed to be around 20 per cent more fuel efficient than a conventional internal-combustion engine, this eco model is also likely to come with low-rolling resistance tyres, aerodynamically designed body treatment and alloy wheels, among other fuel-saving features.
According to overseas reports, the fifth-generation M3 will not be powered by the current model's high-revving, naturally aspirated 309kW/400Nm 4.0-litre V8 engine, and instead return to its inline six-cylinder spiritual roots, albeit with a pair of turbochargers (as per the forthcoming M5 saloon), which is believed to develop around 335kW of power.
Adding to the M3's higher-engine output, BMW is also likely to focus on reducing the car's current 1580-kilogram weight for improvements to fuel economy, handling and performance, resulting in a 0-100km/h sprint time better than the current car's 4.6 seconds. Customers will have the choice between a conventional six-speed manual or an 'M' dual-clutch automated gearbox.
The more-aggressively styled M3 is believed to take inspiration from the CS and Vision EfficientDynamics concepts and will again be offered in Coupe, Convertible variants. Oddly however, a sedan is rumoured to be off the table to squarely compete against its four-door rivals including the Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG, Audi RS4 and Lexus IS-F.
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