3 Series (F30) [Spyshots] 2012 BMW (F30) 3 Series (Spy shots, Impressions & Info)

[BimmerToday]

^ Interesting question.

Because of the number of derivatives I would expect BMW to go with the familiar sequencing of numbers ending in zero (0) for sedans, 1 for Touring, 2 for Coupe and so on...

What's F20-series reserved for and why F30 for 3er?

As far as I know the F20 will be next-gen 1-series, I guess the 5-door, but I don't know.
Why F30? Well, why F35? ;-) These numbers don't make much sense in the end ;-) In German message-boards there are some "insiders" that are still telling everybody that the next 3-series will be the F30. I don't know it, that is why I am asking... Maybe the F35 is the 3er GT and the F30 the sedan - or vice versa - and because the 3er GT will be presented first the rumormill is going in these different directions...

 

[martinbo]

Thanks bmwtoday, my question regarding "why F30" was redundant in the light of your answer around F20 for next gen 1er. I try not to pay too much attention to pre-production designations because at my age I forget stuff easily.

 

[SKY]

However the big news today was the selection of the new 3er before we all packed up for Geneva - MINI-E anyone?

To say the chosen car is very avantgarde is one thing. It is reminicient of a 3er but the details are very in your face the grille which featured in the GINA is right in the middle of the car enclosed in a V-Shape which forms the sculpture to the bonnet and A-Pillar . Next generation BMW's will be given as an option full LED lights so the standard car will feature a very typical lighting unit whereas specify the option and they replace the large lighting units with smaller slits. As evident on Huckfeldts 1er images ( He knows more than people think) The air intakes are slightly bigger than todays car forming a link with the upcoming 5er , GT and 7er.
The rear has smaller lighting units that wrap around similar to the CS Concept car but are more triangular at the edges of the rear wing. The new 3er overall is definetely more design led than any other previous 3er , it is not as truncated as the E46 or indeed E90 the roofline gives it a less stubby appearence. Think of a smaller CS in profile with shortened bonnet , smoother trunk lid and a well proportioned roofline.
Will people like it?

The first idea of the new 3er will be the 3er GT as they will all segue together. Some already balk at the idea of the 5er GT but many will not be happy with the 3er because it reinvents the traditional BMW compact sports sedan concept. The interior concept is similar to the Z4 but the iDrive screen is more like the traditional BMW sedan.

Half in Half between evolutionary and revolutionary .
I think it looks great but there will be controversy and debate it's just not a BMW without it.

Just to put here what Scott has said about the F35 3er, so everyone can see it .

 

[braaf]

Just to put here what Scott has said about the F35 3er, so everyone can see it .

Eni what are your thoughts on this?

 

[SKY]

Scott said the rear lights are going to be similar to the ones on the CS but more triangular, so maybe something like the silver car at the end of this pic...

Could it be?.

 

[E38_E30]

tomorrow's auto motor und sport cover features some new CGIs.

At least they have overcome their obsession with the Concept CS and are now wringing out all the stuff that surfaced with the F10

 

[SKY]

Looks fine to me. EnI? Scott?.

 

[tatoun]

I thought the next 3 Series was F30 ?

 

[bmer]

I thought the next 3 Series was F30 ?

Well, nothing is official. Like bmwtoday says in his post above (post #41) both F30 and F35 are mentioned depending on the source.

Anyway, does it matter if it will be F30 or F35 or F33,333? It's just a letter and a number.

 

[LaArtist]

Well they have to do better than that PS obviously

 

[SCOTT27]

Unfortunately nothing remotely like it.

 

[PHYBENZ]

when do you get to see the designs, Scott? After they have been finalized, or do you see the various entries for each model?

 

[E38_E30]

New auto motor und sport renderings







source: BMW-Zukunft: Die Zahl der BMW 1er- und BMW 3er-Varianten steigt | News | auto motor und sport

 

[SCOTT27]

Sadly like the 1er , still far off from the chosen design. Although the 5er and 7er will share the same bloodline .
The 3er is a bit more adventurous there will be classic BMW design elements but under Adrian Van Hooydunk and his team there has been greater scope for progress especially in areas such as front and rear shapes for the lighting units , which the 3er will offer a more design orientated approach to the classic L-design shape.

BMW's from now one will be more broader and muscular bulges will be formed in key areas such as the front and rear wheel arches without over exaggerated design elements that do not belong on every model .

The 3er is the segments best drivers car and now the brief is to give a more sporting orientated design , to go with it's driving characteristics.

The 3er GT is about 180 degrees from the 5er GT , although they will share the same bloodline , The 3er GT is a hybrid of a Touring and a Sporting shooting brake design. To understand the design of the 3er GT you have to go back to the original RFK Concept ,
With this design many within BMW loved the original intention unfortunately BMW had to re-interpret it's conception to a vehicle that would become today's 5er Gran Turismo.

The RFK concept has been brought back interms of proportion and outline to fit within the 3er's sporting segment , looking more compact with a shorter roof line , BMW have approved the design for the 3er GT.
Inside similar to the 5er GT , the 3er GT will feature a similar lounge experience with the option of four or five seats and a "shelf" like cockpit design.

 

[PanterroR]

Post that stupid, ugly pic once again and i'll ban you for good!

 

[andresswe]

Sadly like the 1er , still far off from the chosen design. Although the 5er and 7er will share the same bloodline .
The 3er is a bit more adventurous there will be classic BMW design elements but under Adrian Van Hooydunk and his team there has been greater scope for progress especially in areas such as front and rear shapes for the lighting units , which the 3er will offer a more design orientated approach to the classic L-design shape.

BMW's from now one will be more broader and muscular bulges will be formed in key areas such as the front and rear wheel arches without over exaggerated design elements that do not belong on every model .

The 3er is the segments best drivers car and now the brief is to give a more sporting orientated design , to go with it's driving characteristics.

The 3er GT is about 180 degrees from the 5er GT , although they will share the same bloodline , The 3er GT is a hybrid of a Touring and a Sporting shooting brake design. To understand the design of the 3er GT you have to go back to the original RFK Concept ,
With this design many within BMW loved the original intention unfortunately BMW had to re-interpret it's conception to a vehicle that would become today's 5er Gran Turismo.

The RFK concept has been brought back interms of proportion and outline to fit within the 3er's sporting segment , looking more compact with a shorter roof line , BMW have approved the design for the 3er GT.
Inside similar to the 5er GT , the 3er GT will feature a similar lounge experience with the option of four or five seats and a "shelf" like cockpit design.

L-shabe but a bit moore V-shaped? as seen on the claymodel gt5?

 

[terps]

 

[Mr Robert]

Quite a bit longer wheelbase or am I just fooling myself?

 

[SKY]

So, the next 3er won´t be as evolutionary as the 7er and F10 5er are?. What type of L-Shape is Scott talking about, E32-like one or more E46 on it?. Will we see the "devil" eyes on it?.

 

[Artmic]

Wow this red car is ugly, i hope the new 3 will not look anything like this.

New auto motor und sport renderings

source: BMW-Zukunft: Die Zahl der BMW 1er- und BMW 3er-Varianten steigt | News | auto motor und sport