BMW 3 Series 2012 is Debuting the New Face of BMW
The sixth-generation, BMW 3 Series 2012 is here, and we’re about to find out. From what we’ve seen of the press kit so far, BMW is continuing to tap dance that line between ever-increasing efficiency demands and the driver’s car attributes that helped make the Next-Generation BMW 3 Series– and by extension BMW — famous.
Due in the U.S. next February, the new BMW 3 Series not surprisingly gets a unique sheetmetal treatment, with cues from the coming BMW i8 sports hybrid and big brother 2012 BMW 5 Series and 7 series models. A wider, squatter take on the traditional BMW kidney grille motif takes center stage of the BMW 3 Series 2012, while a pair of narrow, vertically elongated headlamps connect to the grille on each side to form one organic, flowing front end.
A strip of LED accent lights sit atop BMW’s now familiar twin headlight treatment within the housing, slanting inward for a furrowed eyebrow look. The central intake opening in the front valance of the previous model has been abandoned, and is now split into two separate openings beneath the headlights in the BMW 3 Series 2012. Out back, the 2012 BMW 3 Series horizontally lined taillights are similar to the units found on the recently updated 2012 BMW 5 Series and 7.
BMW is expecting the launch of the new BMW 3 Series 2012 to help keep the company in the lead in terms of sale in the US, well into 2012. BMW is currently ahead of both of the main rivals, Mercedes-Benz and Toyota’s Lexus brand. BMW said it has poured $700 million into its home plant here, where series production of the future BMW 3 Series 2012 was launched officially on Friday.
The Munich plant dates to 1922 and has built more than 8.5 million cars. Production of the previous-generation 3 Series here last year totaled nearly 206,000, and the plant is expected to build at least that many cars for the 2012 BMW 3 Series.
Set to go on sale in February as a BMW 3 Series 2012 model, the ‘F30’ 3-Series also debuts BMW’s new face, which features elongated headlights reaching along as far as the trademark kidney grille. Otherwise, the design is somewhat predictable, with an athletic body, short overhangs, and a long bonnet dominating the look of the 2012 BMW 3 Series Photo.
As mentioned, the BMW 3 Series 2012 is bigger than the model it replaces, with its wheelbase growing by almost two inches, now measuring 110.6 inches, and its front and rear track measuring in at 60.3 inches and 61.9 inches, up 1.46 inches and 1.85 inches respectively. Importantly, weight distribution remains an ideal 50:50 split front to rear. The overall weight is down 88 pounds on the outgoing model as well.
Under the Hood
Buyers in the U.S. can look forward to three different trim levels–Sport Line, Luxury Line and Modern Line–and two new engines: a range-topping six-cylinder turbo in the 335i model or a new four-cylinder turbo in the 328i.
Both BMW 3 Series specifications feature BMW TwinPower Turbo technology, which is essentially the automaker’s name for its engines featuring twin-scroll turbochargers, direct fuel injection and solenoid injectors, the latter being the latest innovation for BMW’s VALVETRONIC variable valve control system. Both engines can also be matched to either a standard six-speed manual or new eight-speed automatic.
2012 BMW 3 Series Sedan – First Look
Tags:BMW 3 Series 2012, bmw 3-series, sedan
