Could this be the next design for the best seller in the BMW family, the 3 series? The current E90 BMW 3-series has only been on the market since 2005 but details about the next-gen model are already circulating with most agreeing that the next model will feature styling lifted from the Concept CS.
Due in 2012, the next BMW 3-series will be the first of a family of BMW cars with a more recognizable face derived from the original styling of the Shanghai concept.
With the new 3-series, designers will attempt to address criticisms of the current car’s awkward styling and lack of interior space. These renderings, compiled using information from sources close to the project show that the new car will have a pronounced kidney-grille with the air-intakes positioned on either side of the bumper just below the headlights.
New options for the 2012 3-series will include hybrid variants as well as the latest version of BMW’s Efficient Dynamics. The X-Drive AWD system is likely to gain favour thanks to a redesign of the system to reduce weight, which will only increase fuel consumption by 0.5L per 100km over RWD models.
Other features that may make it to production include night-vision devices, a heads-up display and radar safety systems.
39 Responses to “2012 BMW 3-series”
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Cool…
Hell no, thats the stupidest lookin ever. Thats the new concept from BMW. their not going to make it that dramatic.
They also need to bump up the horsepower over the new 2008 Infiniti G37 coupe to beat the competition. I would like to see BMW add another 100 horses.
Scott, they might bump it, they could basically use the new M3’s engine
I’m tired of people just taking recent concepts (Concept CS) and Photoshopping them onto existing models (335i) and declaring “Is this the next [whatever]?” It has no basis in actual fact.
Scott,
Car magazines already have done comparos on the 335i coupe and G37 and they were suspicious why the G37 didn’t beat bimmer’s acceleration times. So, they dyno’d both cars and found that in crank numbers, the 335i had 350hp with about 300fps and the G37 read as 349hp with about mid 280’s fps. BMW really underestimated the hp ratings for the 335i significantly primarily to sell the rest of ‘06 M3’s…and ofcourse keeping it as much hush hush as possible just to make it more difficult for Infinity as they were making their final touches with their G37 coupe engine’s outputs.
As for the 2012 model, with past hp increases, I predict the new 3-series having still the twin-turbo, inline 3.2L w/ approx. 350 (under-rated) hp.
bmw have gone the mile infront ov every1 else 2 do with design and technology, gonna buy 1, stay with bmw, no probs ever.
i like it. enough said.
It is so sad to see what BMW has done to its cars. The new design is no where near the design history of old. I have had more BMWs follow behind me and you have to look twice to see if it was a pontiac. The styling is developed a feminine softness that doesn’t keep up with the design line of the past. Sure it may handle like a Bimmer, but putting the badge on the newest model line is way off mark. Also looks like they went more toward the riceburner market, which is NOT their market.
And I’m not bashing BMW as a brand. I know your all gonna get your panties in a bind and say I just don’t understand, but I am not part of the market segment that just glorifies BMW just for being BMW. I am a proud owner of the last great design before this generation was launched. 2004 330i Msport package.
SO SAD 4 BMW
The rear and profile look are excellent. The front is not simpatico, no? Looks angry from the front - not a nice look - like lifting one’s upper lip to frown. I’d rather a neutral look; somewhere between a hint of a smile and abject indifference, rather than a cosmetic surgery stretch gone awry.
The eyebrows on the kidney grill look silly, in my opinion.
This rendering exercise deserves high marks. I don’t think BMW can come up with a better profile or rear although the cut on the rear lamps along the trunk seam will look passé by release date. If this were out tomorrow I’d be waiting overnight at my dealer’s.
well i do agree the front looks a little to exaggerated and i own a 2003 bmw 3 series and id much prefer that. But what i think there trying to do is modernize the vehicle, have you seen the new r8 by audi there smokin, hey if you dont like it others will, the fact is that we have to accept change
besides it bmw they can pretty much do anything to there cars and ppl will lovethem the point is a bimmer is a bimmer
please send new picture send me tanks
hey socct the bmw with 300 horse power is still faster the the infiniti with 330 horse power because bmw is better make for a car
this is incredible. Cant wait fr it to be released.
I saw this in France already, they get different designs over there… lucky bastards!
Nice car. Kidney grille is way too big, but otherwise, nice car.
i am very satiafied for buy the BMW car
uh thats the seven series
Yeah this is the new 7, not the new 3.
Interesting possibility of a hybrid, even though BMW had stated before they were against hybrids as their diesels get better mileage.
BMW truely has a driving experience that never must be forgotten and its driving pleasure is phonominal no futher comment.
excellent execution. probably just like this and will look new generation of BMW 3-series. idea design taken from bmw CS Concept. which was shown almost a year ago. excellent direction. personally I very like the ideas of this designer.
I can’t believe it! BMW still running on petrol in 2012? You know the times when people used to runn car on coal, when petrol was in short supply? Well, why don’t you just do that instead! It will draw the atention, people will look twice at the car with chimney, wont they?
Keep up the good work BMW, with technology such as this will be in space in no time. Cheers James
I thought this was the look for the new 7 series that is coming out soon. If this is the 3 series I would say it is really UGLY. The 3 series now looks waaaaay better.
can you say 7 series ? whats the price going to be 55g’s ?
Looks way better than current BMW’s, looks less like a fish..
This picture is not real one bit, I do not believe they will use the exact same headlights (in picture) that is used on the Concept CS, the body design on the 3 (pictured) is very similar to the Concept CS and the Concept CS is going to be upward of $250,000. BMW will not be able to manufacture a 3 Series like that without going upmarket (changing series category). “BMW will not make a car like this fullstop”.
i like the front of that car, and if a 3-series had it in the future, i’d love to get one
if this is it??! ill start saving up>>>>BMW for life
come to think of it, i hope they increase the existing 230hp engine to 280, and make the 300 into a 360hp engine….
The 230hp engine is lagging behind IMO.
I like it. I would get it.
BMW looks great but its a seven series which is coming in 2009…………..
To all of you who keep saying its a 7 it’s not! Go look up the 2009 7 series and compare it to this, they are way different! I don’t know if anyone else has noticed but the 3 and 7 series are very similar in design! Ranging from the 2001’s to the 2008’s!
Everyone should also try looking up the 2012 6 series, its very similar! BMW is soon going to make all there cars look the same!
The rear look is out of this world. The front should not have that same 6-series kidney grille design please and no eyelids for the headlights please-thats why I love the 3-series coupe.
one of the first new bmw that’s finally looking good.. the lights look quit good actually and the ugly bumper is turned in an “ok” bumper
That’s a very ugly car. I really hope BMW will not adopt this design for the important and volume seller 3-series. This is really a big step backward in design after Chris Bangle leaves BMW
УТОНЧЕННЫЙ ДИЗАЙН ВНЕШНОСТИ,ДАЕТ АВТО ЭКЗКЛЮЗИВНОСТЬ)
B M W 3 SERIES 2012 WILL BE THE STARS IN BMW FAMILY AS USEALY , WISH ALL THE THE BEST AND I WILL WAIT THE NEW MODEL TO CHANGE MY BMW 325 MODEL 2006 BY PASSION
FRONT GRILLES LOOK ANGRY AND OUT OF PROPORTION. TAIL LIGHTS ARE GORGEOUS! — STILL HAVE TIME TO REDESIGN KIDNEYS —