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Tuesday, December 15, 2009
We're still a couple of years away from the introduction of the new BMW 3-series family that bears the internal codename F30, but spies have once again captured the popular sedan version on film, this time at a gas station in Europe as the car is undergoing cold climate testing. The swirly disguise doesn't reveal much about the sedan's design but we assume that BMW's one-styling-fits-all blandness treatment will be applied on the four-door 3-Series.
And if the new 5-Series is anything to go by, expect the car to be slightly larger in all dimensions.
Powertrain options will include numerous four- and six-cylinder gasoline and diesel units (depending on the market of course), with the much appraised 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged straight-six petrol in the 335i to be replaced by BMW's new 3.0-liter inline-six with a single, twin-scroll turbocharger that makes 306-horsepower and 400Nm (295 lb-ft).
There's also a strong possibility that BMW may introduce a mild hybrid variant, but this has not been officially confirmed. Same goes for the rumors concerning the replacement of the M3's naturally aspirated V8 unit with a straight-six turbo.
As with the current model, the new 3-Series will be offered with an optional all-wheel drive system, while the range will eventually grow to include Touring, Convertible and Coupe models with a crossoverish GT akin to the 5-Series Gran Turismo said to be under consideration.
Video via: Bimmerpost
