New BMW 3-Series (2012) revealed

New BMW 3 Series (2012) gets revealed

BMW has revealed the new 3 Series this afternoon. It’s bigger and lighter than the old 3-Series and gets a new 4 cylinder soft turbo engine.

If there is a car which defines BMW’s success more than any other, it’s the 3-Series. So the reveal of a brand spanking new BMW 3 Series for 2012 is a big deal.

The new 3-Series is a bit bigger and a bit lighter than the current car and is a new BMW from the ground up. But, thankfully, it’s remained firmly rear wheel drive.

The new (F30) BMW 3 will initially come as a 320d, a 320d EfficientDynamics, a 328i and a 335i. But this wouldn’t be a real BMW 3-Series without a gazillion model options, so we won’t have to too long for the 318d, 325d, 330d and 335d to join the show by the Spring

But the new 3-Series’ progress won’t end there. Later in 2012 we will also be getting the super-eco-frugal-green-tax-busting BMW 316d, which will get MINI’s 1.6 litre diesel lump and there’s also be a soft turbo 320i with 180bhp. But you’ll have to wait until the end of 2012 for these two.

And that’s not the end of the plethora of new 3-Series models on the way. We’ll also be getting an ActiveHybrid version with an electric motor and, it appears, 4WD options.

Trim levels will be mirroring the 1-Series by the look of things, which means there will new 3-Series Sport, Luxury and Modern to juggle with as well as ES, SE and MSport.

With all these options the new BMW 3 Series is getting a bit like the 911 – there’ll never be two the same, and the chances of coming out of a BMW showroom with what you intended to order is virtually nil.

Looks a fine car. More when we get it.

New BMW 3 Series (2012) Photo Gallery

(81 photos – click any thumbnail for full gallery)

New BMW 3 Series (2012) UK Prices & Models

Model	Price OTR from	Power Hp	Torque Nm	0 – 62mph Seconds	Top speed Mph	Combined Mpg	CO2 Emissions g/km
BMW 328i Saloon	£29,060	245	350	5.9 (6.1)	155*	44.1 (44.8)	149 (147)
BMW 335i Saloon	£35,525	306	400	5.5 (5.5)	155*	35.8 (39.2)	186 (169)
BMW 320d Saloon	£28,080	184	380	7.5 (7.6)	146 (143)	62.8 (64.2)	120 (118)
BMW 320d EfficientDynamics Saloon	£28,080	163	380	8.0 (8.1)	143 (141)	68.9 (68.9)	109 (109)