[Jason]

BIMMERPOST NEWS

Spied Again: BMW F30 3-series Li Long Wheelbase + Interior

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The recently-spied-for-first-time F3x 3-series Li Long wheelbase model continues its testing. This extended length next gen 3-series will be manufactured in China for sale only in China (like all new F30s for the Chinese market) and provides for more spacious backseat area with more legroom. The BMW 3-series Li will debut at the Beijing Autoshow in April 2012.

The platform will form the basis of the BMW 3-series Gran Turismo which debuts in 2013.























Also seen here is a good look at the F30 interior, in a tan color for the first time. Some of the more notable things seen are:

1) Large 8.8" freestanding control display
2) Auto Start-Stop
3) Semi Black Panel Display
4) Lane Change Warning System
5) F30 Key Fob








Freestanding Control Display

This is the first F30 interior photo showing the fixed large-size freestanding 8.8" high-resolution control display.






Auto Start-Stop

The F30's Auto Start/Stop feature can be seen in the tachometer. The gauge allows the driver to see if the engine on or off due to the Start/Stop fuction -- the needle sits at "READY" or "OFF".

Semi Black Panel Display

BMW began implementing black panel display technology with their full black panel displays in the F01 7-series, a feature which will trickle down across the whole model range (as seen in the recently revealed F20 1-series). But, as expected, the black panel display is smaller (and partial) in the F30. It isn't a full black panel display -- the markings for the speedometer and tachometer aren't shown via black panel but traditional permanent markings [compare to the F10's full black panel display]. Nonetheless, the black panel tech and size of the display used for the on-board computer and other information like radio settings is a vast improvement over the E9x 3-series.






Lane Change Warning System

Sensors at each side of the F30 will continuously check for cars in the left or right hand blindspots. If a car is detected, a small warning triangle in the housings of the exterior mirrors will light up and the steering wheel will vibrate.






F30 Key Fob

This is the first look we've had at the F30 key fob, which appears to be the same design as the F20 1-series' key (compare to F20 key below).






Follow our full F30 coverage at http://www.bimmerpost.com/3-series/f30/

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[cs4444]

Im digging the interior!

[Jason]

Originally Posted by blipit

Please tell me that is not a pop-up navi screen.

It's fixed, as in the 6-series and F20 1-series.

New screens are gorgeous. These are from the F20 1 series.

[epiphone3]

something not mentioned above but that appears to be present also is buttons to adjust adaptive drive settings. This are next to the gear knob.

[DooBs]

Geez is BMW trying to make every car possible or what?

[bmwaddict]

DANM...with this interior the coupe version will be great...DANM!!!

[epiphone3]

I don't know if its just me, but I've never seen a bimmer with a tan steering wheel before! I remember the tan dashes from the 90's though!

Oh, and can anybody read what the note on the dash says?

[SamS]

Originally Posted by Jason

It's fixed, as in the 6-series and F20 1-series.

New screens are gorgeous:

The new Nav screen size is the same (8.8 inches) as the E9x, is it the same resolution?

Seems like the fake pop-up style of the F20 and 6er would result in more glare from the sun. You can see the reflections even in the spy pictures.

[Coni]

lol, 5.1 MPG

[Q4P]

Diggin the interior a lot, I think that tan steering wheel is just a cover.

[zamm3k]

Originally Posted by Questforpower

Diggin the interior a lot, I think that tan steering wheel is just a cover.

that's definitely a tan steering wheel. Notice the stitching. Maybe it's an extended leather option? Or possibly an option.

Really nice looking interior. BMW definitely stepped it up a couple of notches.

[M3NNIS]

I know some don't but I love the double hump. Looks much better then this or a pop up. Its much more integrated and smooth.

[mapezzul]

Just like the E81 and E90, the F20 1 Series is the basis of the majority of the F30. F30 is not going to be full of many surprises it seems.

[Whostheboss]

The current C-Class sedan still looks better than this crap!
(and i am a Hardcore BMW fan)

[GMW]

I'm def not digging that interior

[laperacfo]

What's different with the new key fob besides aesthetics?

[nyc4runnin]

Originally Posted by GMW

I'm def not digging that interior

+1

[mapezzul]

Originally Posted by laperacfo

What's different with the new key fob besides aesthetics?

wait for it....... its BIGGER !

[Krod301]

Dang, I was really hoping for a 5/7 Series style interior.

[lux]

Originally Posted by Krod301

Dang, I was really hoping for a 5/7 Series style interior.

Originally Posted by blipit

Yeah the 5er interior is very nice.

According to Jason, the new interior will take cues from the current x3 (minus the integrated nav screen).

[ab3]

What really ticks me off is that BMW will go through the trouble of developing a separate chassis for country like China but then only offers a limited choice of engines in the US for their cars when they have already been developed and are sold in Europe...yes I understand they have to do new emissions testing and such but it would definitely be worth the cost to offer a few more of the engines they sell overseas, even if not all of them

[mapezzul]

Originally Posted by lux

According to Jason, the new interior will take cues from the current x3 (minus the integrated nav screen).

Much of the architecture of the F30 is shared between the X3 and new 1 Series. Just like the F01, F10 and F07 share much of the same. There are many hidden components that are shared with other manufacturers as well. The goal is to keep things consistent and to reach higher economies of scale for parts to make things cheaper.

The one difference will be that the F30 will have Brembo brakes on all four corners (new plant is set to start production soon)