The 2012 F30 3-series sedan has finally dropped its heavy camouflage to reveal a handsome and evolutionary design from the current E90 3-series sedan!
STYLING
In what appears to be the first FEP (final evaluation phase) test mule, the F30 3-series retains its sporty and squat design, with short overhangs and wheels pushed to the corners. However, the front end adopts BMWs current design language, with a sleeker sloping hood with more upright and widened kidney grilles. Seen here for the first time, the side of the car now features double character lines, the top one which flows directly into the hood and headlights. The rear lights remain classic L-shapes. The side view mirrors will feature turn signals,
just like the next generation F20 1-series.
The updated dark blue F30 photos feature a F30 335i which shows off the aggressive new front end nicely, with its shapely lights and
squared off angel eye rings. It also features a nice new wheel design.
Size-wise, the F30 runs on a longer wheelbase and wider track than the current E90 sedan, but with shorter overhangs. It's been suggested before that the F30 is approximately 2 inches longer than the E90.
SCHEDULE / VARIANTS
The F30 3-series sedan is expected to be officially announced and revealed in October in Munich at a press event, and makes its world debut at the 2012 Geneva motor show in March of 2012. Sales should begin shortly after in Europe and in the US by the Spring. As per the usual 3-series sedan/coupe timeline, the F32 coupe should debut a year later sometime in 2013.
An Active Hybrid F30 3-series as a Concept will also be shown at Geneva and there is also a
3-series GT (Gran Turismo) which has already been spied in testing.
Expect engine options to include a full range of turbo engines. The 28i will likely be powered by the same N20 turbo 4-cylinder powering the X1 xDrive28i and the upcoming Z4 sDrive28i, and the F30 335i/340i will again be powered by a turbo 6-cylinder engine.
Follow all our F30 3-series coverage at http://www.bimmerpost.com/3-series/f30/
UPDATED 9/7/11 WITH FIRST E90 COMPARISON PICS:
UPDATED 8/15/11 WITH FIRST UNCOVERED PICS!:
UPDATED 7/7/11 WITH VIDEO:
UPDATED 5/7/11 WITH VIDEO:
UPDATED 7/26/11 WITH MORE F30 335i PHOTOS:
UPDATED 7/13/11 WITH FIRST TITANIUM SILVER F30 PHOTOS:
UPDATED 7/6/11 WITH SPACE GRAY F30 335i PICS:
UPDATED 6/29/11 WITH WHITE F30 PICS:
UPDATED 6/15/11 WITH BLACK F30 PHOTOS:
UPDATED 6/9/11 WITH NEW ALPINE WHITE 335i PHOTOS:
UPDATED 5/6/11 WITH PHOTOS OF RED F30 AND F30 INTERIOR:
UPDATED 5/3/11 WITH PHOTOS OF CARBON BLACK AND ALPINE WHITE F30:
UPDATED 5/3/11 WITH CLOSE UP PHOTOS OF ALPINE WHITE F30:
UPDATED WITH PHOTOS OF ALPINE WHITE F30 325i/328i:
UPDATED WITH PHOTOS OF F30 335i:
