[Vudoo4u2]

minus the bottom half of the front bumper...i actually really like the design...

im not referring to the 3 cylinder idea..just the physical design

the side rake and the wheel arches look aggressive, and the door paneling and the flares on the bottom look good...love the lights...but that smile must go

[finnbimmer]

3 cyl engines are going to replace the current base models, like 316i and 318i here in europe.

Those new engines will probably have more power and less emissions than the current 4 cylinder petrol engines.

[Bavaria330]

[BMW269]

Who are the main concurrents of BMW? Mercedes and VW (I mean Audi). If you do not like the BMW 3 cylinders go to Mercedes and Audi (it is VW) and you'll see there will also be 3 cylinders, because they coppied BMW, only their engines will be worse, they will not be efficient as BMW and not so sporty. Who was the fist to be busy with enviroment? It was BMW with Efficient Dynamics, is was/is availlable for all cars without making the price higher. And everyone coppied, Mercedes and BlueEfficiency, VW and BlueMotion and Audi with their TDIe(fficient). BMW is the LEADER and others will follow.

[MrHarris]

I actually feel sad after reading that article.

[BMW269]

Whatever, BMW will allways be better than the others, even if they get bad, for others will get even worse. I'am not woring about BMW, the only brand to stay independant.

[McGregor]

that's the sexiest looking 3 ever!!!!!!

[NickR1]

this is interesting:
http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/05/s...for-frankfurt/

[Me_Hi]

Originally Posted by IceDragon2000

Looks like an ugly Dodge Charger, EkE! I hate hybrids and electrics, too. Looks like my childhood love for BMW will have to fade away. Freaking environmentalist, I hate them.

Have you eve driven a Tesla?
Do you know that the torque of an electric motor is very high and linear making it very fun to drive?
The only issue why not all cars are electric is the range and replacement of the batteries. Once this is out of the way, watch out for the sport electric cars. There will be no more gasoline cars unless you want a toy that smells good. BMW is thinking ahead, just like every other auto maker. Look what happened with the American cars when they stuck with their SUV's while the Asian auto makers were doing tercels and civics type vehicle. It has nothing to do with environment! However, no more liquids in a car to replace !!!

[jocamryn]

Looks like the lights from an Opel insignia...are we losing our identity?!

Originally Posted by Respek

New sketch:

[Prissy]

looks like a JDM accord coupe !!!

[samuraisaiyo]

Very good editing

[lib]

Originally Posted by Haywire

the new mazda's have those stupid looking grins for a grill as well. nothing could be more unattractive than that look.

[pruettfan]

Lets all hold it together here. The picture is not from BMW. It is some guys photoshopped version of what he thinks the future 3 series will look like. BMW is going to make their cars as green as they can without losing the ultimate driving machine status. They have never said they are going to sacrifice performance in the name of being green. BMW left F1 for several good reasons. 1. Car sales are down by 30% for every maker except Suburu (not sure why). 2. The sweeping rules changes in F1 the past two years and next year have changed the sport totally. 3. Get ready for Toyota to follow. 4. It makes total sense for BMW to take their resources and figure out how to make great performing cars what are also green, doing so will give them amazing advantages. 5. The US is the single biggest market for BMW with CAFE changes and the current political climate BMW would be foolish to not adjust their business model to take into account this new reality.
I have total confidence that BMW will stay true to their reputation and build great cars and not lose their way.

[piezo]

Originally Posted by JAJ

BMW buyer buy the cars "in spite" of their limitations - crummy fuel economy...

Gee, I've been pretty pleased with the 335i's economy. Perhaps I'm not flogging it enough.

I actually bought mine despite the yuppie prick connotation

[FStop7]

Originally Posted by F000007

Article from Autocar on the next generation 3 series:

http://www.autocar.co.uk/News/NewsAr...llCars/242108/

BMW is poised to completely reinvent the 3-series family for the low-carbon age.
Talking exclusively to Autocar, a senior BMW source revealed that a ground-up rethink of the company’s biggest-selling model will ensure that the next-generation 3-series will “remain relevant even when it goes off sale in 12 years’ time”

It's BMW's job to set the agenda, not eagerly rush to fall in line with the latest bullshit government sponsored fads.

[dostoevsky47]

If this is the future of the 3-series, it looks like I'll be getting the engine in my E90 rebuilt when it craps out.

[d3l0n]

Originally Posted by lib

L M A O!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!''

[Imola.ZHP]

^ oh come on, maybe I'm biased as my DD is a 2002 Mazda Protege5, but I've been a fan of the Mazda3 and the new one has potential. It does need a little aftermarket work though...


/OT

[jpm3seriesdallas]

Most of these posts are so reactionary! Its like stumbling onto a Drudge link.

First of all, no one seriously disputes that in 10-15 years, which is the timeline we're talking about here, that oil and gas is going to be much more expensive. When we're paying $5/gallon or more in the US (and God knows how much in Europe) even those who can afford BMWs are going to demand more fuel and weight efficiency even if governments don't mandate it.

By jumping on this early, BMW will have a head start on the competition in designing lighter electric/hybrid or other alternative fuel vehicles that are lighter and exponentially more fuel efficient while remaining great performance vehicles. Do you really think BMW is going to put out a Prius with leather seats>! Have some faith in the company! Whatever they design is going to meet the brand's standards.

I for one would love to drive a whisper quiet, light, electric 3-series that matches and exceeds the performance of the current vehicles, and that's what we'll get.

Did you all bemoan the catalytic converter and fuel injection too? Come on, this is the way technology is going and BMW is just getting ahead as they should. Its going to be very hard in 12 years to sell a vehicle in mass quantities that gets 18mpg in the city like I get in my 328.

[adjmcloon]

So much BMW hate in this thread.

I'm excited, BMW continues to lead. We are in for some very nice cars in the near future!

[E82tt6]

Forget the artist's impression.

The idea of a lighter, more aerodynamic car is fantastic.

The biggest problem with the E9x vs the E36 is size, and weight. It's turned from a sports sedan into a luxo barge. Leave old man cars to Benz, and bring back a light 3er.

No offense intended to E90 owners, but I think most long time BMW fans would agree that we now have a 1 that's more like a 3, a 3 that is more like a 5, 5 that is more like a 7, and a 7 that's more like a 14!

I know not all 3er owners want a "small" 3 series, but those are the guys that the 5 should be built for. The 5, in my view, is meant to be a fun, luxurious, comfortable and capable cruising car, but now the differentiation in roles between the 3 and the 5 has become less clear.

For those who want a sports sedan from BMW, options are limited, as only the M3 really has the dynamics and fun factor you'd expect from a BMW sedan. The E90 is a class leader (though the A4 is impressive also), but the E46 and E36 were just more fun to drive.

Creating a bigger distinction between the 3 and the 5 would be good for BMW. It would encourage more guys looking for a large and luxurious, yet still sporting car to step up to a 5, and ensure the loyalty of guys who want a light, maneuverable sports sedan.