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
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(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) | |
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