When we first saw the G20 BMW 3 Series in spy photos, we noticed something very specific — its headlights. Even more specific than that, we noticed little upward notches in the bottom of the headlights. Immediately, we recognized those notches from the E46-generation 3 Series, whose headlights had signature upward notches. We thought maybe we were just being crazy but not it seems other journalists are noticing the same thing so it seems as though the design was intentional.
According to this report from Jalopnik, this was the intent by BMW’s design team, to pay hommage or the famed E46 3 Series. So we weren’t crazy.
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What’s interesting is that its headlights are not only a bit of a throwback to BMW’s best 3 Series but they’re also the best looking part of the new 3 Series. While the new 3er is a handsome car and one that’s getting better looking the more we look at it (I even like the non-M Sport car, with its little “Thor’s Hammer” foglights and all). So the design works both aesthetically and sentimentally.
It also makes sense that BMW would use this design cue on the new 3 Series. It’s sad that BMW engineers took criticism of the previous F30-generation 3er very seriously and, more importantly, very personally. So they worked very hard on the new 3er to ensure its place on top of the sport sedan segment. More importantly, 3 Series engineers were also given approval by the board to take more liberties with both its design and engineering. Which has a lot to do with why it’s so good.
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So BMW has been trying to bring the 3 Series back to glory, a glory that was at its peak during the E46 generation. Which makes it fitting that this new car has a visual throwback to the car it’s trying to emulate.
[Source: Jalopnik]
It was claimed here many times that the way the M40I X3 drove was eerily similar to an E46, can the same be said of the G20 as well?
Only Horatiu has driven it. His review is up on the site.
What is interesting is that I do not remember him drawing any overt parallels to especially the X3 M40i about which he has been effusive with praise.
There is no way in hell a crossover-SUV can drive like an E46. Anyone who seriously thinks that needs to get their ass recalibrated, like at a track day.
The E46 headlights were better looking.
Yea, they were way ahead on those laser …. uh I mean LED ….. OK, at least they had HID.
Man, the E46! Perfect in every way.
BMW is yet to design a gorgeous three series matching that car.
It is as if the designer(s) poured their souls into the design process.
As long as the rear subframe mounting points do not get corroded.
Nice, but I love my E46 more❤️ https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/68438125366eaf0d7e08353aa8af653f4e8fc75a7d08fc789c8ee56ce0f06fa0.jpg
:) You should. Realistically the best M3 ever.
Man thats true i didnt realized … Nice easter egg !
I really liked this detail. It did enough to not let G20 resemble the G30 too much and has added some kink to the overall conservative design. I also feel that this is a bit of an afterthought but a nicely executed one nevertheless.
Finally some bravado from BMW in the right direction.
But it looks more like the Peugeot headlight design than the E46 design.
Sounds like nobody likes the F30. I loved my F31. Good looking, great driving.
I like the notch.
What I don’t like is the line that starts there on the M-Sport model (pictured at the beginning of the article). It’d have looked better and cleaner without that line.
The funniest thing was that someone had to point it out to the Jalopnik staff.
Their revue of the G20 is by far the most irrelevant I have seen.
This is a great feature but I did voice my concerns about it pre-release. So glad it turned out great. But calling it a through back to E46 is a bit of a stretch.
This is a funny article. The design has absolutely nothing to do with the E46 LCI, the comparison photos show that clearly. Although, I understand that as a BMW blog you kind of have to stick to the BMW marketing if you still want to take part in test drives and other incentives.
The E46 was designed by Bangle (Z4, E39) and BMW has made a lot of effort to leap away from any Bangle-ish design language. A kink at the same place on two different cars does not mean that they have any connection. Audi has a single frame grill, so does Lexus. But still their respective design is very different.
The G20 might be a good car, technologically. But design wise, its a pile of horrible decisions, driven by cost effectiveness.
Im just trying to understand, here. So you admit the two cars share a similar kink but claim it’s not a throwback to the E46 because Bangle didn’t design both? Or because the entire car isn’t as good looking as the E46?
BMW gave the new 3er a little notch in its headlights to be reminiscent to the E46. It’s obvious from looking at it. The E46 was the only other 3 Series to have such a design. This isn’t rocket science. We report information and we do not shill for BMW. Also, it doesn’t have to be the E46 LCI. Both versions had the headlight kink.
Dear Nico,
the kink is not similar, just because its in the same place. The design language is very different than the one that defined the E46 – the Bangle design language as a whole is something BMW has done a lot to get away from.
The headlight kink of the G20 has a lot more similarities with the Peugeot headlight kink than with the E46 one. The angle, length, strength, height, where the line of the kink starts, and so on. I have seen the “E46 reminiscent” wording on some new BMW marketing papers, so I know what they are trying to do.
I know you dont shill for BMW, but being seen in a favourable way by the BMW Group is vital for a car blogs work. Getting info, taking part in test drives and so on strongly depends on how you shed light onto them. Critizising is something you do not very often. I still enjoy your blog, but one has to keep all this in mind.
I’m going to have to disagree. It’s a notch that bisects the halos in the headlight. How is it not similar? It doesn’t have to be exactly identical to the E46. BMw is not even claiming to be retro. It’a just a nod to the most loved 3er ever. BMW said so, are we supposed to say they’re lying. Even Jalopnik wrote about it.
Also, we often criticize BMW whenever it’s warranted. Especially me. Read my articles and you’ll see I haven’t been to kind to the 6 Series GT, F30 3 Series and F10 5 Series, to name a few.
I’m fine with you disagreeing :) Thats part of discussing stuffs. I disagree with the thesis that the E46 is the most loved 3er ever. All people I know would give a liver or two for an E30.
But the G20 seems to be back on track when it comes to handling purposes. So thats good. The F one didnt have the design nor the handling. So this is a good thing on the G20. Maybe its successor or LCI will have the looks too ;)
We get invites solely based on our reach and professionalism. Not on being biased towards them.
Sure :)
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/7f0564b3ac1411d84a4340066826cd84ca5cffb5cbfb53a7aab4d423ba654709.png
that is because the G20 has some key features that Josef Kaban imported from Audi and Skoda. although announced in April 17, he started working at BMW October 17 and started redrawing festures on the new lines. he alos hit the new M5 with the same Audi features…
You’re absolutely wrong. Our articles have nothing to do with invites and all. Nor we get paid by BMW.
You now said that twice. Did I hit a weak spot? :D
No. You’re just wrong. That’s all. And it’s sad you think that since we work hard to be professionals.
i see your professionalism in attacking someone with three people, just because you dont like what I say. And that aggressive suppression of my oppinion by you and your people shows me that I cant be THAT wrong.
Wrong again, same as your first statements. Next time, ask me before you make false accusations. I told you, it tarnishes our hard work
You want me to ask you before I post something? Wow. You to continue to show your issues. You demand users to ask you for approval before posting. Thats incredible.
Don’t you think it’s far to ask if we’re being subjective? And if we have any hidden agenda?
It’s so easy online to put someone down without any remorse or respect.
Its censorship.
It’s so easy online to put someone down without any remorse or respect.
So then why do you do that to a user? You are some kind of CEO of this thing but still you go nuts because I said something. Something that seems to hit your weak spot and now you try to silence me. Good luck with that now. If i was wrong, you’d never have responded to something that is simply bullshit. But you did respond, big time. So I was right.
Pointless to even engage in this topic. You clearly didn’t understand my first reply.
P.S. If we wanted to silence you, we would have deleted your comments. So that should refute your statement again.
Sure man :) you are right. With everything. Always.
danieldoelfs yes
And I answered twice since you posted twice the same nonsense.
This guy is just messing with you by splitting hair over such a silly little feature. He’s nasty because he’s unhappy. Hope life get better soon bud…
:D here comes the french, proving his disability in gentlemens discourse.
and, not to mention, Josef Kaban redoing the kink a la Audi and Skoda, now more uunderstated kink line, with a new ugly line, deep obvious concave door handles below the line, and a thick buttox grill line. Audi here we come…