2013 BMW 3 Series: Preview

[calypso]

Oh god, and i thought the 5 Series GT was bad


"MUNICH, Germany — Two years ahead of launch, Inside Line is providing an early look at the 2013 BMW 3 Series, along with important details on the ultra-popular car's entire lineup.

Preparing to launch in 2012, the new 3 Series is styled after the striking 2011 BMW 5 Series, which officially debuted last fall in Munich. Despite the fact that the next-generation 3 Series rides on a longer wheelbase than the current model, the new car is expected to be lighter than its predecessor, and will be offered in five models instead of the traditional four.

In addition to the sedan, wagon, coupe and convertible, BMW plans to add a 3 Series two-door hatchback Gran Turismo, which will join the lineup a year later. The GT3 will emulate the current 2010 5 Series GT, which debuted last fall.

Although the 3 Series convertible just received a retractable hardtop for its last major redesign in 2007, BMW is now considering reverting to a fabric soft top in place of the heavier steel roof.

2013 3 Series' models are expected to be powered by smaller turbocharged four-cylinder engines in place of the current six-cylinder power plants, which will first debut in the 2011 BMW 1 Series. The exception will be the future BMW M3, which will trade in its V8 for a twin-turbocharged six and electric hybrid drive.

All variations of the new 3 Series will have stop-start technology and Valvetronic variable valve timing."
Source - http://www.insideline.com/bmw/3-series/2013/2013-bmw-3-series-early-look.html

 

[freerider]

mistu lancer anyone? I do like the rear though.

 

[zaleonardz]

GT3... :cursin:

I think BMW may have a brand identiy crisis...

Lets way and see imp:

 

[freerider]

I see the nostalgic value of the e46 going up..... the last of the pretty 3s

 

[Jandre]

I like the back, but eish... the front.Let's hope this is a very late April Fools joke.

 

[zaleonardz]

Well the E90 is not that ugly, but I agree E46/E39 was some of the best desgns ever.

But just as with Mr Bangle's designs, will will buy the uglyness, and we will learn to love it. The reps will buy the new 3, soon there will be 100's, everybody will accept the shape, and so we move on.... but eish... a GT3

I actually recon, as you point out Don, that buying a mint E46 M3 with low KM's and storing for 5 years will result in some serious profits soon..

Edit : and these guys trying to sell their mint E36 M3's are just phyco

 

[Hellas]

I like the back, but eish... the front.Let's hope this is a very late April Fools joke.

I wish... This is a good photochop of what the 3-er might look like (based on the designs of the day) but, daaaaaaaaam...

 

[DonovanPorter]

i cant say that i like the design 100 % but there is something there not sure what that catches my attention

 

[Spy007]

Lemie winks comes to mind. That is touchiung cloth.

 

[Hellas]

Lemie winks comes to mind. That is touchiung cloth.

dude...no...just no... I need to sleep still tonight...

 

[Kobus328i]

SIES !!!

 

[mrv]

something to get used to.....:dropjaw:

 

[Matt Q]

hmmmm....

Amazing how it splits opinion... I prefer the front to the back.. actually think the front is kind of fun and may be made more masculine quite easily with some body kits... it looks like a face again whereas the E90 just looked like a FUGLY car. The rear still feels weaker than the E46 but stronger than the E90... which has, I feel, the weakest rear styling of any premium car I've ever seen, ever, ever, ever...

Sad to hear about the straight 6 going away tho...

Agreed on the identity crisis... funny how there was an overwhelmingly positive response to the shape of the E46 when it arrived.. in fact everyone I knew at the time was like "OH WOW THAT IS STUNNING!!".. the E90's had mixed and tepid reviews... looks like this will be more of the same.

Just like the E90's it will be a case of "it CAN look good"... gone are the days of BMW's actually looking good out of the box it would seem

pity really... more reason to never sell my E46 even if she is less than pristine

 

[M3SMG]

I like the look oddly enough and I drive an e46 ///M... each unto their own I guess.:thumbsup:

 

[Matt Q]

hmmmm... on 2nd thoughts that front is actually pretty cool... at least the designers are having fun again and not being up their own arses like Chris Bangles... back is still too plain for me tho

still... it's better than the E90's

E46 FTW!!!

 

[viven]

I kinda like it.... hopefully will impress in the flesh though.

But lets face it guys.... the drive is what makes it a BMW and I doubt it will dissapoint in that area.... but then again they are going to use 4 pot motors.

 

[nawtiboy]

i see they going the led route ?:mmm:

now i'll have to wonder if it's a 5ring or citi golf on red bull:hammerhead:

overall nicely put -except the leds:cursin:

i would buy 1