With just weeks before its official unveiling, BMW engineers continue to test the upcoming 2012 BMW 3 Series. A test mule was taken once again at the Nurburgring race track and was captured on video by spy photographers.
The new F30 3 Series goes through a complete redesign with softer lines and inspiration taking from its older brother, the F10 5 Series sedan. Spy photos and inside information reveal that the new F30 3 Series is a scaled down 5 Series, but with unique lines that will make it distinctive within the BMW family.
The car also showcases corona rings with full LED treatment which are different from the current generation E90 due to a new design and a “squared” look. The headlights and the kidney grille will not follow the design lines seen on the recently unveiled 2012 BMW 1 Series, a controversial model among BMW fans (The renderings below feature similar headlights as the new 1 Series). The corona rings are different from the current generation E90 due to a new design and a “squared” look.
At the back, the 2012 BMW 3 Series brings out a masculine design with a subtle trunk lid and the L-shaped taillights.
From the side, the new 2012 BMW 3 Series Sedan is said to feature a double shoulder line that starts above the front wheel arch and extends to the rear. Despite the complicated and demanding pedestrian safety regulations, BMW managed to keep the car’s nose sitting low, offering a more dynamic look, somewhat similar to the 5 Series sedan.
For the U.S. market, BMW will offer the usual six-cylinder turbocharged engines, along with the new N20 2.0 liter four-cylinder engine in the 328i model. A diesel version of the 3 Series sedan will also be included in the U.S. offerings.
Customer wanting to take delivery of the F30 3 Series will have to wait until Spring 2012.
