[Jason]

Here's some insight from Scott26/27 regarding the next generation 3-series' design and 3-series product line:

The proportions of a typical 3er, evident since the E36 through to the E46 and currently the E90 will remain meaning squat proportions, short rear overhang and wheels placed to each corner. The overall look is more slimmer and more toned than the E90.

The typical BMW glasshouse remains with the new design link of a shadow hoffmeister kick as featured on the 7er and X1 being featured on the car this time wrapping around the rear door quarterlight and forming a surface line not cut into the body to form the shoulderline of the car where the door handles will meet this follows through to the front of the car where it is broken up by the front wheel arch and then continues to meet the front headlight unit. The rear flanks from the rear light towards the rear door are left with a subtle line which links to the shape of the rear lights and the bootlid sculpture.

The front of the car receives a widened but not too large kidney grille , smaller than the F10 5er with shapely lighting units surround the grille. design sculpture under the lighting units is less prominent than featured on the Z4 under each headlight unit there is a semi circle shape which in the centre allows for a V shaped opening where the kidney grille is placed.

The rear of the car offers a typical BMW layout with the classic L shape lighting units the larger part of the L shaped lights that sits on the corner and wraps around the rear of the car dips at the lower edge this allows for the rear bumper scoop that signifies the tailgate is flush design wise with the dip form of the rear lighting units.

The Coupe and Cabrio models will again take on a different appearence from the Sedan and Touring. Again the front and rear appearence will seperate from the sedan with unique shaped lighting units and design sculpture.

The Cabrio will retain the folding hardtop as BMW have found the E93 to be the most successful 3er cabrio since the E30 when a proper BMW cabrio was introduced (not counting the baur models.) Customers also like how the hardtop E93 has successful retained a conherent design instead of sitting under the A-pillar or having the rear end raised to accomodate the roof (Lexus - take note). Although next time around the 3er Roof will get lighter possibly using aluminium , but it will retain the identity and join the future BMW 6er and the current Z4 Roadster with folding hardtops for their premium image.

The 3er Gran Turismo is borne out of the idea of reintroducing a highly sporting individual model. Internally named as "Progressive Activity Coupe" the 3er Gt takes it form as a substitute to a coupe or Touring.

A 3er Coupe might not have the flexibility of a Touring for a customer who like the 3er Coupe but is deemed to be impractical , to the same of the 3er Touring or a BMW X3 for their characteristics.

BMW 3er Gran Turismo is a solution for those who want more character with a coupe or indeed a Touring. Less niche than the BMW 5er Gran Turismo, BMW aim to position the 3er as a sporting alternative to the Touring or indeed the X3. The 3er Gran Turismo takes a traditional 3er shape but the roof slopes back towards the rear of the car giving it a very raked shooting brake but lower than a Touring rear end. The rear windshield will be shorter although it will wrap around the rear of the car for added visiblity , not too much though , instead of a larger side window like a touring the 3er GT will inherit a smaller quarterlight.

The interior although based on the 3er will feature some exclusive GT aleterations such as a shelf like dash , and a more raked central console.
BMW 3er Gran Turismo will be an excellent addition to the sports sedan/wagon segment it will be unique and more individual than the conventional Touring.

Like the 1er , The new 3er will take advantage of the new modular platform, again this allows BMW to spin off extra models , make savings in costs and enable production to very efficient.

BMW will also enable the next 3er to feature the very latest in Efficient Dynamics technologies - like the 1er there will be an active hybrid model using a range extended 3 cylinder engine connected to an electric motor aswell as lightweight resistance tyres , aerodynamically designed alloy wheels , BMW active aerodynamics , solar roof panel for extra energy efficiency in the use of interior controls , Brake energy regeneration , stop start technology , pre-heating technology for the engine, gearbox and differential.

* please note that the image posted on the homepage is not connected with the information provided above, and is said to not be a very accurate depiction as to the 2012 3-series sedan's final look.

[Bols]

Originally Posted by Jason

* please note that the image posted on the homepage is not connected with the information provided above, and is said to not be a very accurate depiction as to the 2012 3-series sedan's final look.

phew that's what i was scanning for front + foglights on that really don't go with the 3er's regular feel

Interesting read tho

[poyayan]

is it me... or is the car looking like the new Z4?

[Year's_End]

Originally Posted by Laszlo

The typical BMW glasshouse remains with the new design link of a shadow hoffmeister kick as featured on the 7er and X1.

Too bad their losing this kink, IMO, the 7er looks amazing (masterpiece IMO, best BMW ever made), but the X1 is truly a JOKE and doesn't have a kink at all... I pray to the lords of BMW not to throw this design queue out on the 3er... like they did the X1.

The kink is staying. The "shadow hoffmeister kink" is the subtle crease in the c-pillar that mimics the kink's shape (like the X1 and 7er). So this crease which forms the second kink that will apparently wrap around the body and form the shoulder line (as the X1's forms a lower swage line).

Sounds like a great idea.

[Empowered]

Even tho the image of the 3 seies on the home page is annaccurate- where was it lifted from? I think it looks quite good myself.

[hks786]

Originally Posted by Empowered

Even tho the image of the 3 seies on the home page is annaccurate- where was it lifted from? I think it looks quite good myself.

+1

I like the front end, the rest is from the current E90 pretty much though. I'm not liking the new style of hood crease though. Its very long and narrow. It should start from the badge and swoop out toward the mirrors.

[hks786]

Originally Posted by Bimmer Loyalist

The kink is staying. The "shadow hoffmeister kink" is the subtle crease in the c-pillar that mimics the kink's shape (like the X1 and 7er). So this crease which forms the second kink that will apparently wrap around the body and form the shoulder line (as the X1's forms a lower swage line).

Sounds like a great idea.

+1

It's a great idea and looks smart. Here it is:

[antzcrashing]

BMW grills do not look good BIG

solar panels are cool, but a waste of money

[AtoB]

i dig it

[Tallest]

yeah, the red mock image if very inaccurate, ignore it. I think E90 is already a sweet looking car and making it a bit slimmer and squatter is not a bad thing.

[imported_mega]

I hope bmw is not making a copy of the new ford taurus

[Year's_End]

Originally Posted by imported_mega

I hope bmw is not making a copy of the new ford taurus

...why would they?

what does the taurus have to do with anything?

[imported_mega]

Originally Posted by Bimmer Loyalist

...why would they?

what does the taurus have to do with anything?

they, and the audi and lexus, and toyouta, are all generic looking sedans, that's what they all have in common

if you cant see that, your blinded by badges

[Year's_End]

Originally Posted by imported_mega

they, and the audi and lexus, and toyouta, are all generic looking sedans, that's what they all have in common

if you cant see that, your blinded by badges

no, you lack a design sense.

a taurus is a generic sedan; generic sillhouette, generic detailing, barely any family cues barring the euro trapezoidal grille.

don't worry about it. the ability to design the 3 series is the most highly-coveted position at bmw. only the very best design team will make it so it's highly unlikely it'll bea screw up.

[imported_mega]

Originally Posted by Bimmer Loyalist

no, you lack a design sense.

a taurus is a generic sedan; generic sillhouette, generic detailing, barely any family cues barring th euro trapezoidal grille.

what we have here is a classic case of failure to see past the badge, it's mostly a unique trait of the american auto enthusiast

[Year's_End]

Originally Posted by imported_mega

what we have here is a classic case of failure to see past the badge, it's mostly a unique trait of the american auto enthusiast

ok

[Year's_End]

that doesn't even make sense

[imported_mega]

lets add the new volvo to the list



lexus



hyundai



taurus


if it does not make sense to you, that's just fine, I would call it what it really is but I'll get a warning

[Year's_End]

Originally Posted by imported_mega

lets add the new volvo to the list



lexus



hyundai



if it does not make sense to you, that's just fine, I would call it what it really is but I'll get a warning

ummm yeah i get what your saying but wtf does it have to do with the 3

you just posted a lexus and hyundai, probably the two most generic and derivative companies in terms of design.

[bigslick82]

The Lexus and Hyundai I see - the Volvo not so much.

Plus, many car companies now share platforms. There is no wonder why some cars look like each other (Ford/Volvo/Mazda - VW/Audi etc)

The new 3 series rendering looks great!

[imported_mega]

look at the hood/fender line on the volvo, and the door sills, and the window shape


all the sedans are looking more and more like each other, the e9x was on it's own, but it sound like they are making them look like all the rest

the 5 gt is a good example of this, they changed the back end, and made it look exactly like a lexus hybrid, and those have been out for years

[bigslick82]

Originally Posted by imported_mega

look at the hood/fender line on the volvo, and the door sills, and the window shape

You're right. I fail.

You also have to figure these companies hire designers away from each other. The guy who designed the new 7 series (name escapes me right now - Karim?) jumped ship to Benz.