Yes, the BMW 3 Series was only
recently facelifted
. Last year, in fact. But with a facelift three years into production, that means the new car should arrive three years after that. Late 2015 for the facelift means 2018 (probably) for the new car, so here's your first look at the sixth generation 3 Series.
Yes, 3 Series still a four-door saloon. Phew
Believed to be under the 'G20' product code (why did E numbers ever have to disappear?), the next 3 Series has been caught here in early testing. Being so far from production, there's not a great deal we can tell at the moment. It's definitely still a four-door saloon - no 3 Series Active Tourer just yet - with rear-wheel drive given the silhouette and slightly flared rear arches. There are even tailpipes too, so there's hope for petrol engines and not just EV powertrains.
Familiar BMW styling cues are present at this stage, including the kidney grilles and Hofmeister kink. The rear lights also look quite similar to a Ferrari 488 at the moment too, but that's probably a trick of the disguise.
and hopefully still rear-wheel drive
As for chassis, body and powertrain, it's best to look up in the BMW range to see what might filter down. With the
7 Series
now featuring carbon construction, is it too early to expect it in a 3 Series? Onboard technology like the gesture control and the smart key are possible too, even if the massage function might be pushing it a bit. There will be a new 5 Series before this car as well which should provide some clues.
Engine-wise it seems likely that the three-cylinder rollout will continue - the 318i is already a 1.5-litre three-cylinder turbo - with more hybrids, more efficient diesels and perhaps even a full electric model too. Naturally a 320d will have to be faster than whatever Toyota GT86 is available then.
More pictures will surely follow of the 3 Series as development progresses and the disguise is shed. In more interesting 3 Series related news, the M4 GTS can't be far off now...
[Photos: S.Baldauf/SB-Medien]