New BMW 3 Series teased

By Dan Strong

12th October 2011

BMW has confirmed it will unveil the eagerly anticipated new 3 Series on Friday, and has released a new teaser shot showing a line drawing of the car in profile.

Codenamed F30, the car will be the sixth-generation model to carry the famous 3 Series badge.

Auto Express will be reporting live from the event, which will also be streamed live on Facebook.

Keeping its front engine, rear wheel drive layout, styling will be heavily influenced by the look of the new 5 series, particularly at the front, as shots of an undisguised prototype showed in August.

Video: Our spies shot this video of the 3 Series on test, early in 2010

There will be at least 11 engines to choose from, including six petrol engines and five diesels, all of which Auto Express has learned will be turbocharged.

At the bottom of the range, BMW will use the 1.6-litre turbo petrol that powers the flagship MINI Cooper S. Range-topping cars will get 3.0-litre petrol and diesel engines, with around 310bhp and 280bhp respectively.

The launch of the new 3 Series also paves the way for BMW to grow its offering in this crucial sector of the market. According to sources, BMW will build saloon, coupe, cabriolet, estate and a practical GT version, in the style of the 5 Series GT.

BMW is also considering introducing a stylish four-door "coupe", inspired by the BMW CS concept car, and aimed at Mercedes forthcoming BLS - described as a baby brother to the CLS.

UK sales begin in March, with prices set to increase slightly over the current model.

We will be responding to your questions  about the new BMW 3 Series via Twitter, live from the event - follow @DanStrongUK and @AutoExpress for the latest updates.