The BMW 3-Series began production back in 1975 and is one of the German automaker’s luxury sedans. The 2012 model year will mark the 3-Series’ sixth generation since its birth and will incorporate all of the current versions for the luxury car: 2-door coupe and convertible, 4-door saloon, 5-door touring, and 5 door liftback. The new 3-series is expected to be powered with new aluminum four-cylinder gasoline engines ranging from 135 to 220 horsepower.
The current model is powered by a choice of four different engine. The 3.0L I-6 produces 230hp and 200 lb-ft of torque, while the 3.0L twin turbo diesel gets 265hp and 425lb-ft of torque. Another option is the 3.0L twin turbo I-6 getting 300hp and 300 lb-ft of torque, and the final engine option is a 4.0L V8 producing 414hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. Engines can be mated to a six-speed manual transmission or a six- or seven-speed automatic.
Back in July 2011, BMW pulled the covers off of the BMW M3 DTM Concept Car, a vehicle that was to be the basis of the actual racer that will compete in the 2012 DTM season. Just a few short months later, the German automaker has officially revealed the actual M3 DTM in all its M Performance regalia.
During the official unveiling, BMW Motorsport Director Jens Marquadt talked about the process that went into building the race car. "The car’s aerodynamics were developed in close collaboration with the engineers from series production," he said. The BMW Group boasts impressive resources in this field and the wind tunnels are ultra-modern. This – and the Title Partner BMW M Performance Accessories – shows that the entire company is behind the 2012 DTM project and is working hard towards it."
As far as appearances go, the M3 DTM Race Car was inspired by the original M3 cars that raced in the ’old DTM,’ particularly the white finish with red and blue decals running all around the car. "The design is both traditional and modern in equal measures," Marquadt pointed out. "It shows our roots, but in a contemporary style."
The BMW M3 DTM is expected to carry a powerful V8 engine that has been equipped with an air restrictor to deliver 480 horsepower, hit 0-60 mph in just three seconds, and carry a top speed of 186 mph.
Despite already being unveiled, the M3 DTM Race Car will only begin its first full DTM season next year under the banner of three racing teams: BMW Team RBM, BMW Team RMG, and BMW Team Schnitzer.
Compared to the BMW M3, the new 3-Series is a little, shall we say, vanilla on the design aspect. But even if you share the same sentiments on the latter, German tuning company Prior Design has come up with a new aerodynamic wide body kit that can add some sizzle to the 3-Series’ design, turning it into something that has a little ’M’ flavor to it.
The kit was designed for the 3-Series E90 and it includes various body kit parts, including a new bonnet, a redesigned and aggressive front bumper, new front fenders, aggressive side skirts, a new rear apron, a redesigned trunk, and an integrated rear spoiler. Another addition to Prior Design’s body kit are the new side mirrors, which have been designed to replicate those found on the M3.
The end game for the 3-Series E90 is a car that comes with an aggressive wide body kit that puts a lot more flair and panache into the otherwise mundane vehicle. No improvements were done on the powertrain, but if you combine this widebody kit to the number of engine options for the 3-Series, including the powerful 4.0-liter V8 that produces 414 horsepower and 295 lb/ft of torque, then you’ll have a 3-Series that can now look as good as its power suggests.
BMW’s plans to drop the X6 Active Hybrid from their lineup by no means belittles their intentions to move forward with a greener line. Following in the footsteps of the ActiveHybrid7 and ActiveHybrid5 will be a hybrid version for the next generation 3-Series
We first caught site of the ActiveHybrid3 as a prototype running some laps around the Nürburgring and although there was nothing on the body of the vehicle that could distinguish it from a standard petrol model, this particular tester had the obligatory hybrid stickers on the side and rear. Hybrid stickers are a must during testing because if the car happened to get into an accident, the police and medical crew need to be aware of the dangers of electric power.
The future ActiveHybrid3 is scheduled to launch one year after the standard 3-Series, which would be sometime in the autumn of 2012.
UPDATE 10/14/2011 : Next to the new generation 3-Series, BMW has unveiled the official details on the ActiveHybrid 3 that will be put on sale in the autumn of 2012. Hit the jump for more details.
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Along with the unveiling of the new BMW 3-Series comes the new 3-Series M-Sport package, available starting in Summer 2012. The new package will further accentuate the sportiness and dynamism of the 3-Series while allowing potential customers to fully customize it to their liking.
The BMW 3-Series M Sport package includes a new M Sport suspension that drops the ride height by 10mm/0.4 in., 18 or 19-inch M alloy wheels, special body parts, chrome tailpipes, and exclusive exterior paintwork.
For the interior, the M Sport package gets distinctive cloth/Alcantara sports seats, trim elements with blue accent strips, an M Shortshifter (in models with a manual gearbox), M door sill finishers, an M driver’s footrest, and the new M leather steering wheel. The M-Sport package will also allow the driver to use the Driving Experience Control switch to vary the basic suspension characteristics between more comfortable or sportier settings.
BMW will be sending its popular sports coupe into its fifth generation in just a few years time and that sendoff will be coming with the usual array of variations, as well as a new hatchback model inspired by the 5-Series GT.
The M3 Convertible model will more than likely feature the current BMW’s retracting hardtop which folds away neatly in 22 seconds. The new design, however, will combine elements from the recently launched Z4, 5-Series, and 7-Series. It will be slightly larger in size, but with shorter front and back overhangs and its body will feature a mix of steel and ultra-light carbon fiber-reinforced plastic.
As far as powerplants are concerned, the 2014 BMW M3 has seen more than its fair share of rumors. The most interesting speculation is that the future M3 will be powered by a fresh 3.3-liter six-cylinder engine equipped with three turbos – one powered by electricity, rather than the exhaust gases. Its output will be around 450 HP (up from the current output of 420 HP). That rumor was recently shot down and replaced with a new twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter, six-cylinder engine that is currently under development. A source described the new engine "as being heavily differentiated from the company’s existing twin-turbocharged ‘N54’ and twin-scroll turbocharged ‘N55’ 3.0-liter engines." Apparently, the new engine will come with a management system, induction system, cylinder head, pistons, and connecting rods.
Rumors come and go frequently, so chances are we’ll still have to wait a bit to get any official confirmation of BMW’s engine choice.
