Next-generation BMW 3-Series spotted tested in Germany
The latest generation of the BMW 3-Series has been spotted testing in Munich, Germany. The seventh generation of the BMW 3 Series is expected to debut at the 2018 Paris Motor Show in October and eventually go on sale in Europe in 2019.
The heavily camouflaged test mule shows the new 3-Series to follow a more evolutionary design brief. The basic silhouette doesn't seem to have changed a whole lot but specific design touches are more developed than the current. This can be seen in the complex 3D taillamps, a more sculpted bumper and the new headlamps. This is a similar design strategy to what BMW has followed with the latest 5-Series and 7-Series as well. Overall, the car looks a lot like a smaller 5-Series.
These set of images also show the interiors to be a step up from the current car. The instrument cluster is all-digital and the floating touchscreen placed on the redesigned centre-console is also larger.
The new 3 Series is expected to arrive with a wide variety of diesel and gasoline engines in Europe, with their outputs ranging from 136PS to 380PS. The new M3/M4 will come later but step up power to around the 500PS mark. This car will be powered by BMW's latest 3.0 inline-six but will also come hybrid assistance this time around. The 2.0-litre diesel is expected to continue as the mainstay of the Indian line-up.
The new 3-Series will compete with the Mercedes-Benz C-Class, Audi A4, Jaguar XE and so on. Traditionally BMWs have always been the most driver-oriented option in this range, but this has been changing lately with the new 5-Series and 7-Series both becoming softer and laying a more emphasis on the rear-seat passengers. This is set to continue with the new 3-Series a well but the car can be expected to retain a higher standard of dynamic ability than most rivals.
Source: Motor1
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