3 Series (G20) [Renders] BMW 3 Series (G20) Rendered

[Centurion]

I've always been amused at the stark difference in people's perspective of the F30 in the U.S. vs. Europe. Critics have been much less complimentary of the F30 since its debut here in the States and I don't disagree. It certainly excels in many, many areas but I did not feel it was head and shoulders ahead of its competition at debut like previous generations.

This coming from an E46 and E60 owner, mind you. I love BMW's and I'm quite excited for the G20; sounds like it'll be a return to form.

Competitors finally got their act together and gave the world compelling alternatives to the 3-Series. Even rivals that only et 3.5 stars in reviews are nowhere as bad as they were against the E90. However, the 3-Series remains a jack-of-all-trades that it excels in many areas without any glaring flaws. In Luxury trim and multi-spoke rims it looks classy, and with M-Sport and a 6-cylinder engine it offers the most polished handling characteristics many will ever be able to afford.

On the negative points, it's not the last word on practicality. There are plenty larger and more comfy sedans available for the same money - especially in the USA. Equipment-wise the pre-LCI F30 was light. Bluetooth streaming was an option, SatNav wasn't standard and it was expensive to equip. I would also add that body roll on the non M-Sport models was a bit excessive for a 3-Series and if you didn't spec sports seats, you would glide off the seat if you took a corner aggressively.

Mercedes and Audi have further attacked the 3-Series with the A3 Sedan and CLA which have a younger spirit than the 3/A4/C which have matured into small executive sedans. The romantic years of the E30 and E36 are over. The 3-Series will grow in size and not drive like them, however rear-wheel steering if the G20 has it, could be a game changer as it's done wonders for the handling of the Aventador S.

 

[bmwownage]

^and i think the E46 was the peak of the romance. That car was just such an excellent all rounder.

I don't think it's even the competitors got their act together, i would say it's more like cars as we know it, is near the peak of what they can achieve so every one is approaching that point. It's already about materials / light weight, whereas in the past it's probably more about engine performance, suspension. Then later it will probably be about self-drive, anti-collision, range of the battery, what operating system it uses, how high it flies.

Hope that BMW can get their act together and do a smaller RWD sedan/coupe or even hatch range. There is definitely market for it, and the 3er would be up-class enough that they won't cannibalize each other. And no, that's not the 1series sedan.

 

[hoffmeister_fan]

^and i think the E46 was the peak of the romance. That car was just such an excellent all rounder.

I don't think it's even the competitors got their act together, i would say it's more like cars as we know it, is near the peak of what they can achieve so every one is approaching that point. It's already about materials / light weight, whereas in the past it's probably more about engine performance, suspension. Then later it will probably be about self-drive, anti-collision, range of the battery, what operating system it uses, how high it flies.

Hope that BMW can get their act together and do a smaller RWD sedan/coupe or even hatch range. There is definitely market for it, and the 3er would be up-class enough that they won't cannibalize each other. And no, that's not the 1series sedan.

They do offer the 1er hatch (not in the States though) and the 2er coupe. However, I remember being at the LA Auto show 10 years ago, and I was struck that there was only a 40 lb. difference between the 1er coupe at that time and the E90 3er.

 

[bmwownage]

They do offer the 1er hatch (not in the States though) and the 2er coupe. However, I remember being at the LA Auto show 10 years ago, and I was struck that there was only a 40 lb. difference between the 1er coupe at that time and the E90 3er.

Yes but the 1er hatch will lose RWD, and honestly in terms of styling, obviously they could have done a lot better instead of having it as an anomaly of the line up. Even with the F20, driving any BMW is a "cool" thing but once you get to the 1er hatch, that perception is no longer there, it has the image (and deliberate I'd say) that the car is for people who can't afford a 3series. Not true obviously but that's the image. A3 for example doesn't give this image, nothing shameful of owning an A3 instead of an A4. All hopes on a 2er GC and not losing RWD.

 

[hoffmeister_fan]

Yes but the 1er hatch will lose RWD, and honestly in terms of styling, obviously they could have done a lot better instead of having it as an anomaly of the line up. Even with the F20, driving any BMW is a "cool" thing but once you get to the 1er hatch, that perception is no longer there, it has the image (and deliberate I'd say) that the car is for people who can't afford a 3series. Not true obviously but that's the image. A3 for example doesn't give this image, nothing shameful of owning an A3 instead of an A4. All hopes on a 2er GC and not losing RWD.

I didn't realize that was the perspective that was held for the 1er. My perspective, after the facelift, the 1er hatch seems rather appealing. But I guess is that since I'm in the US, it does have a bit of "forbidden fruit" going for it.

 

[Tapsa70]

I read some recent articles about the innovations about G20 and found the Kacher's article from Autobild 7.4.2017 (translated from german)

"Real innovations are the 48-volt system and the associated Mildhybrid, which brings up to 15 kW and 20 Nm of additional power. A storage battery can be used to operate auxiliary units and the electric charger. The additional torque kicks are particularly important when the lights are being lit or overtaking. The plug-in hybrid, a combination of 2.0-liter four-cylinder and E-module with a system output of around 260 hp, comes in principle from the partial regal. Completely new in the program is the 3 series BEV: The pure electric drive comes in common successor for 3er GT and 4er Gran Coupé. The system includes two electric motors, two driven axles, two cooling circuits and one inductive rechargeable lithium-ion battery. We expect 2021 with a capacity of 65 kWh and a power of 350 hp."

Quite interesting if this is true, not mentioned anywhere else though.

 

[SCOTT27]

Something new on this G20 M340i. The lights reflect the lower surface design element and the front Air Breather.
You can also see the character line again running diagonally and where there is another line similar to the 5er but originally introduced on the F30 running the length of the glasshouse.

 

[maragulon]

 

[Touring]

They need to make an electric touring. With the same options as the gas/diesel versions. Just drop hybrid.

 

[Rolf]

The next 3 series looks like it will be considerably larger than the F20 especially width and length. No longer a compact executive saloon, maybe getting closer to a E39 5-series in size now

 

[klier]

This is going to be the best version of the G type sedans! It already looks so good.

They need to make an electric touring. With the same options as the gas/diesel versions. Just drop hybrid.

Yes. And sedan. Just like the model 3. It is a must IMO

 

[tomazino]

I'm waiting for new photos....

 

[Deleted member 25]

E46 goodness levels i think.

 

[hoffmeister_fan]

I'm waiting for new photos....

There's a lot of potential in those headlights.

 

[EnI]

Some sources are saying the G20 will be an equivalent of E36 when it comes to design progress vs the prevoius Mk 3er.

 

[Centurion]

The exhaust tips are similar to those on the 8 Series concept

 

[EnI]

The exhaust tips are similar to those on the 8 Series concept

Not only that. There will be hexagonal themed details EVERYWHERE. 3er & 8er are not the only ones featuring them. It's just the begining. Honeycomb inspired styling on the way @ BMW. The era of geometric shapes is coming.

 

[klier]

Some sources are saying the G20 will be an equivalent of E36 when it comes to design progress vs the prevoius Mk 3er.

...and you can already see this is not AT ALL the case. Something like E30 vs E36 is not ever going to happen again. In the camo you can already see it's an evolution of the F30.

Put the E30 and E36 in camo and the differences will be vast beyond belief. Which clearly is not the case here.

I'm waiting for new photos....

I wonder what that car in front of the 3er is???

 

[maragulon]

I wonder what that car in front of the 3er is???

New Focus

 

[Tarek]

When it'll be officially unveiled?