Three years before the official launch and BMW has already started testing the next generation 2012 BMW 3 Series. The F35 platform will be quite different from the current E9x models and the first visual change that we noticed is the increased wheelbase along with a wider body.
As we learned from sources close to BMW, we are still a year away from the time the first 2012 3 Series prototypes will hit the road for testing and the final design will be chosen this spring.
An interesting fact pointed out by our friend at BMW is that the Progressive Activity Coupe based on the next 3er platform will be launched prior to the new 3 Series. This is similar to the Progressive Activity Sedan coming out before the 2010 BMW 5 Series. The PAC will be introduced when the Progressive Activity Sedan is officially announced.
As far as the spy shots from our friends at GlobalMotors, nothing really that we can talk about, there are many speculations regarding the design of the next 3 Series, with a lot of people betting on a design inspired from the now cancelled CS Concept. All we know for now is that the new 3 Series will grow in size.
Stay tuned and we will have more information in the next months!
Thanks for the photos Andrus and also thank you E for the information!
[Source: GlobalMotors ]
10 Responses to “BMW testing the next generation 3 Series platform”
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How much bigger is the 3-series going to get? The current one is as large as the 5 series was 2 gen ago. At this rate BMW will have to slot a .5 series under the 1, as it will soon be as large as the 3.
[...] More: BMW contrast a subsequent era 3 Series platform [...]
i really do hope the size won’t change much. i own an ‘04 3 series and the size is just perfect (except it needs more head room xP). but im eager to see how they’ll change the design.
Getting bloated is apparently “in”: see, Audi A4.
Personally, I like my 3 smaller, but at least according to BMW, I am in the minority. *sigh*
BMW know how to do the things come on is BMW dont worry…
I think BMW will make the current 3 series into something much bigger and leave the current 1 Series coupe as the 3 replacements, which will grow over time into the size of the current 3 series. I think this is a ploy to sell cheaper cars like the 1 series, which will have better performance and remind people of the original 3 series. or something like that.
I don’t think it will be much bigger. But what I don’t understand is what is the point of this car E90, that’s being driven around with tape on lights and extra body parts on the car…. how and what are they testing for the next generation of 3 series using the E90?
@BenC:
Exactly.
They made the E90 more accommodating to 80s hairstyles by changing it into a 5 series. Which— those people from 29 years ago would prefer today anyway. It makes sense, yeah?
Here we go again: Longer and wider. I guess it is inevitable, as the MB C-Class and Audi A4 are now markedly bigger than the 3 Series.
Guess I’ll have to switch to driving a 1-series soon.
My next car?
http://www.bmwblog.com/wp-content/uploads/bmw-concept-1-series.jpg