2012 BMW 3-Series spy shots

The Bavarian automaker, BMW, is busy building the next generation of there ever popular 3-Series. Spy photographers have already caught the first batch of test mules in action. Codenamed F30, the future baby Bimmer is scheduled to debut in early 2012.

The all-new F30 architecture will be offered in three different wheelbase options. The first will measure 2.7 meters and find its way into the underpinnings of the next 1-Series, a car that is currently codenamed F20. The second will measure 2.8 meters, for the standard 3-Series, and the last will be stretched just a bit more to 2.9 meters for the crossover X3.

As part of the company’s new green approach, the next BMW 3-Series will feature the latest Efficient Dynamics technologies under the hood, while the factory tuned M3 will downsize from the current V8 in favor of a smaller boosted V6.