2012 BMW 3-Series spied with less camouflage

2012 BMW 3-Series spy photo - 3.5.2011 / SB-Medien

The affordable 5-Series

The strip tease continues as our spy photographers have caught the 2012 BMW 3-Series wearing a reduced amount of camouflage.

Looking larger than ever before, the redesigned model will adopt styling that mimics the 5-Series. Notable highlights include a prominent grille, a V-shaped hood, and L-shaped taillights.

Engine options are slated to include the usual suspects as well as a turbocharged 2.0-liter that develops 245 PS (180 kW / 242 hp) and 350 Nm (258 lb-ft) of torque. Additionally, there will be a hybrid variant which pairs a 306 PS (225 kW / 300 hp) turbocharged 3.0-liter engine with a 54 PS (40 kW / 54 hp) electric motor.

2012 (F30) BMW 3-Series - new details
(8 comments)
2012 BMW 3-Series Touring spied in white
(3 comments)
2012 F30 BMW 3-Series rendered
(13 comments)
2012 BMW 3-Series caught during a photo shoot
(19 comments)
2012 Mercedes SL & BMW 3-Series spied by WCF reader
(20 comments)

Add a Comment

Comments (16)

newest first oldest first

Subscribe to comments

nederinaa

Low nose, clean lines and thin rear C-pillars. BMW is elegant and beautiful again! The recent interior spy shot photos looks very promising indeed. Shame the next M3 won't be a V8

May 3, 2011 11:01 am

report abuse | reply

1 reply

Hellbound

The coupe will look subtle and elegant. IF they can keep the weight down, the next M3 will be brilliant no matter what engine is in it.

May 3, 2011 5:56 pm

report abuse | reply

alejandromad

Looks like the 5...

May 3, 2011 11:34 am

report abuse | reply

som3aa

wdf is wrong with auto manufacturers? 3 series = shorter 5 series = shorter 7 series accent = smaller elantra = smaller sonata really stupid

May 3, 2011 12:06 pm

report abuse | reply

1 reply

dbehmoaras

7er = smaller elantra??? That must be some high quality heroin you're injecting yourself with.

May 3, 2011 1:41 pm

report abuse | reply

///AMG

cant see much difference betwen this and the todays 3-series. ugly as always

May 3, 2011 3:01 pm

report abuse | reply

peterjames7

I was hopin van hooydonk was goin to put his own stamp down with the new three but he obviously just shrank down the new boring five, the headlights and grill look more five gt than standard five but the rear is all five

May 3, 2011 3:25 pm

report abuse | reply

Han Solo

I think it looks good. The front end is alive and IMO, they kept the styling changes to a minimum so that they can dress it up with some killer bodykits later. Can't wait for the 3 Series Coupe with the M package.

May 3, 2011 4:49 pm

report abuse | reply

Homerlovesbeer

Yawn....what a let down. I agree that the current trend of simply shrinking/enlarging the one basic design really is becoming boring and tiresome.

May 3, 2011 8:02 pm

report abuse | reply

velsatis

it looks good alright, but just as any other Bmw nowdays they all look the same. Audi invented this building tradition now bmw are copying it (reducing size)

May 4, 2011 1:08 am

report abuse | reply

2 replies

F10V8tt

Have you ever seen a BMW from the 80's or 90'S. This is nothing new! The only thing Audi did was make it boring.

May 4, 2011 4:10 am

report abuse | reply

velsatis

....again, nothing to be proud about is it??? if u do it nowdays or 20\30\40\...years ago it dosnt matter, I like nice looking cars and I can even respect an ugly but original design, but all the same????

May 4, 2011 7:09 am

report abuse | reply

SainUK

Have to disagree with F10V8tt. The 3 series always did look different to the 5's and 7's. That gave them the individuality. Even the current 3 series (E90) looks nothng like the fives and sevens. Would be a bit of a pity that this is now the case if the photos are anything to go by.

May 4, 2011 5:08 am

report abuse | reply

1 reply

Tonie

Your wrong mate, check the BMW 3 series from the 70/80's, their pretty much a replica of the 5 series only smaller

May 4, 2011 6:05 am

report abuse | reply

archytype

the 1st 3 years they'll offer no body trim and tiny wheels. then in 3 years they will facelift the hood and headlamps to be more agressive and they'll offer the M-package on non-m cars. hard to say whether a 2011 335i loaded and looking right would be better than a 2012 stripped 328i.

May 4, 2011 8:37 am

report abuse | reply

1 reply

clash_189

I would prefer to get 335i fully loaded with $$$$ saving, but only purchase it after the new 3 is released so I can negotiate how much more discount I would like to get from dealer (10k price off and equipped with decent toys)

May 5, 2011 7:07 pm

report abuse | reply