[Nero7]

Originally Posted by SCOTT26

Yes @ the Geneva launch next March , just like the forthcoming IAA with the 1er.
BMW will exhibit every example of the F30 from the 318i to a 3er with Performance accesories.

Great news

[remmib]

Looks promising.

But I don't like that fixed standing navi, I was hoping for the F10 style dash. Just have to hope it looks good IRL.

[bmwF10]

SCOTT26

Can you say to us if there will be Lines ( like the Urban and Sport in the 1er) and if so, could you tell which will be available?

[southlight]

There will be design lines, maybe Scott can tell some more details.


Best regards,
south

[SCOTT26]

Originally Posted by southlight

There will be design lines, maybe Scott can tell some more details.


Best regards,
south

Yes. Although it will not mirror the 1er and it's more "youthful" approach of "Urban" and "Sport" . It will reflect it's more grown-up status and market.

[hekki]

Originally Posted by SCOTT26

That's our new baby. showcasing Mineral Grey paintwork.

Here is the 3er Touring in Liquid Blue. - New colors introduced for the 1er will be carried over to the new 3er.

http://www.secretnewcars.com/SpyShot...aked_then_ever

Wait till you see the 4er.

4er is new BMW 3 series 4 door coupe or just coupe with 2 doors? Are they already testing it and when it will come out? 2012 as 2013 model? And is it true that new 4 door coupe based on the 3 series are coming out?

[pharding]

Wow. That is really beautiful. The proportions are exquisite. I look forward the lower front panel on the car.

[RussRamz]

Originally Posted by BLTZKRG

Anyone else notice the HUD? In a 3er... I expect that in the F30 M3 but on a regular 3er i think its too much. $2000 option most likely...

Yup, first thing I noticed after the wheels!

[TsvetanVR]

Looks like crap to me! I miss the time when every car had her own individuality, her own spirit, gave you a unique feeling and driving experience. Now BMW (and Mercedes, Audi and so on... ) have just one model coming in different sizes.
Oh well, I guess the E90 LCI is my last modern car....going retro after that...

[ciomas]

as boring as I thought it would be...or shall I say as boring as the current 5..

[Diver]

As anticipated, it looks like a downsized 5, which is a good sedan to look like.

[GOLFFRR]

nice

[Jake335xi]

Nice, now all we need is to see the new F32 Coupe! Looking forward to seeing how that will look

[gIzzE]

Looks boring to me, and if it feels anything like the F10 it will be boring to drive too.


I saw a new 1 series today, and although have said they look awful in all the pics I have seen, in the flesh it looked really good and at least it looked different. This just looks pretty dull.

[SCOTT26]

If you remember this render by Jon Sibal which he created using my post description of the new 3er when I first saw the car back in the design studios as far back as late 2008.

Obviously there has been changes to further equip the car with an identity such as changes to the headlights etc. to make the car stand out and be less conventional than expected.
But you can still see the details from the render on the car itself. Such as the sharper modern front end , more angular kidney grille. And of course the wide lower "mouth".

Again the car continues that "Bloodline" that is present in the 5er and 7er.
But like the 5er and 7er there is noticeable differences that show each car is not just one car in each length. Each car has their own identity , their own character lines , characteristics might remain but each model is interpreted in it's own way. Be it different sized grilles , headlight outlines , high and mid sized belt-lines and typical BMW proportions.

The outline may be familiar but the details certainly are not.

[StealYourFace]

Tough to tell, but could that car be an li, or whatever they call the extended wheel base cars?

[Propagator]

As far as I can tell, it seems to be a classy and conservative design. I don't have any problem with family resemblance, in fact the last generation was the exception to the rule in terms of every model having unique look to it. But I do wonder if this will end up much less sporty looking than the E90.

Originally Posted by SCOTT26

To signify the importance of the new 3er as it is a key segment for growth , everything is seen as increasing the image of the car , especially for customers who are downsizing from larger luxury vehicles.

I hope I'm over-interpreting, but this doesn't sound good in terms of how this car might drive. The 5er now shares platform with the 7er, and has become the most boring 5er in history. I truly hope that they are not making the new 3er DRIVE like a baby 5er. So far, not one word about driver involvement from BMW insiders, so it's hard to know. But we do know the new nav screen is more "premium" looking.

[SomeRandomer123]

NOM!

[SCOTT26]

There is a basic formula for the 3er that remains intact for each generation.
So it is known what the car must achieve as it's core philosopy to satisfy it's demographic.

But since the competition have not been standing still , especially in the 3er's segment. The new car must also appeal to those who want their 3er to match the premium statements by some A4 and C-Klasse models.

Of course this is without sacrifice or compromise of the 3er's segment leading strengths , more of an update in premium feel and quality to accompany the cars particular abilities.

The new 3er has certainly some surprises instore. Especially for those keen on driving.

I have since talked to someone on the 3er marketing programme and have found out the car's color is "Sparkling Bronze".

[Imola.ZHP]

C'mon now, make e90 resale values plummet, about this time next year...

[Propagator]

Originally Posted by SCOTT26

But since the competition have not been standing still , especially in the 3er's segment. The new car must also appeal to those who want their 3er to match the premium statements by some A4 and C-Klasse models.

Of course this is without sacrifice or compromise of the 3er's segment leading strengths , more of an update in premium feel and quality to accompany the cars particular abilities.

Thanks, Scott. I understand the market pressure, even the usually lackluster C-Klasse is coming out with a pretty impressive interior upgrade with the face lift, and the A4 always had a good interior.

I hope you are right about there being no sacrifice, although I would say that's a statement that usually works for marketing but not for engineering.

In any case, I think it will look very "premium" inside and out, so that should make a lot of people very happy.

[BMW335icDDS]

Huge improvement over the very ugly E90!