BMW’s G20 3 Series will be making its debut within the next few months, and you can bet that there will be plenty of coverage surrounding every inch forward it takes on its way to that ceremonial reveal at the 2018 Paris Motor Show in October.
Before all that, though, here’s what you can expect from Munich’s next world-conquering compact executive saloon. Most of this stuff has already been either independently confirmed or informed by extrapolating upon BMW’s new model features, especially from its big brother, the G30.
First of all, according to AutoExpress, the new 3 Series will be built around CLAR, or Cluster Architecture, a new more advanced vehicle platform that BMW will be using for their larger, rear-drive cars - indeed it already forms the basis for the current 7 Series and 5 Series, but will expand to include their SUVs too. All other BMW models will transition to either CLAR or UKL, their primary front-drive platform, used for models such as the 2 Series, X2, and upcoming 1 Series.
The next 3 Series will also lean more heavily toward electrification, with more options for hybrid powertrains to be made available. Currently, the F30 3 Series can be had with a 2.0-litre petrol engine in the 330e, which will be carried forward, but a 1.5-litre three-cylinder that’s nearly identical to the Countryman PHEV is more or less on the books for a possible 320e variant.
There will still be combustion-only options, of course, which is still expected to account for the bulk of worldwide sales. To cater to this, BMW is expected to use an updated version of their TwinPower Turbo series of petrol and diesel motors with the mainstay 8-speed ZF automatic again called upon, bringing improved efficiency and emissions numbers.
Also predicted for this new generation of 3 Series is the brand’s first fully electric model, which supposedly will fall under the BMW i sub-brand as the i4 and boast a range of over 600km per charge despite not sharing very many visual distinctions over the standard 3er saloon. However, this is only slated for a 2020
Speaking of which, the car is also expected to take a more evolutionary approach to exterior design this time around, and will look broadly similar to its predecessor save for more refined lines and an updated fascia that’s better resembles the 5 Series. Because of the new architecture, the next 3 Series’ interior should arrive with additional volume for cargo and passengers without having to grow substantially in length, height, or width. For those same reasons, the car is also expected to benefit from like-for-like weight savings and increased structural rigidity.
This approach will also apply to the 3 Series’ cabin, which should remain largely familiar to those acquainted with the current car’s. Improvements will be bountiful and noticeable, perhaps just not on first glance. That said, the car has been confirmed to be one of the first to receive BMW’s newest version of iDrive: iDrive 7.
With the sheer volume of spy shots coming out of the Nurburgring, BMW is plainly gearing up to launch an all-new M3 based on the incoming 3 Series range shortly following the October premiere. BMW has previously expressed a keen interest in expanding the range of M performance cars, and the G20 should be a prime example of this exercise.
The line-up will soon consist of two additional sub-M variants called the M340i and M340d. Both are powered by turbocharged six-cylinder engines and will be equipped with all-wheel drive as standard, offering an overall experience near enough to the full-blooded M3 for most enthusiasts while keeping the entry price a little more reasonable.
Now, the flagship M3, on the other hand, is likely to be a much more potent road car than the F80 it replaces despite following a rather similar recipe. For instance, a 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged petrol engine still sits up front of the four-door performance saloon, a reworked version of the S55 unit used currently that ups power to around 343kW.
The bigger change, though, is in its driveline. Much like the F90 M5, the upcoming M3 will also eschew a rear-drive only configuration in favour of all-wheel drive. Called M xDrive, all wheels are linked via the centre differential. However, for most of its operational life, it will almost never invoke the front wheels unless absolutely necessary. The idea is to have the car behave exactly like a rear-driven M car would under normal circumstances but still reap the all-weather and accelerative benefits of AWD when possible.
BMW can finally catch up to rivals such as the Audi RS4 and Mercedes-AMG C 63 4Matic, which would previously shame the rear-driven M3 in a standing start drag or over mixed weather conditions.
For more on BMW cars, check out our Showroom.
