By @Automedia

July 2003

Our computer-illustration reveals what's still hidden underneath the disguising and, this is confirmed by inside information, the new design will be quite moderate compared to the radical step BMW went on replacing the former 7-Series by today's model. Being BMW's most important range (with over 50 per cent of the total sales), the 3-Series is the car that has to please rather than provoke. Apart from the X3-inspired newly shaped headlights and a wider twin-kidney grille, no more design excesses are to be expected.

Dimensions won't be changed much, but the longer wheelbase and higher roofline will benefit rear bench passengers, and the tall boot increases space in the luggage compartment.

While most safety equipment will be standard yet in the entry-level 318i, luxury and sporty features will be optional only. Amongst those are the active steering AFL, bigger 17, 18 or 19-inch wheels, adjustable shocks (EDC), adjustable stabilizers (Dynamic Drive), the curve-light ALC, the SMG-transmission, air-suspension and level-control at the rear axle and the second generation all-wheel-drive. Like the current model, the new 3-series will get McPherson struts at front and a multi-link rear axle. New will be four electro-hydraulic disc brakes. The standard electronic helpers - ABS, CBC and ESP - will be on board anyway.

As with the 5- and 6-Series, BMW plans to clearly differentiate the two-door models from the four-doors also in their mid-class range. Therefore, the future 3-Series will consist of only two models, the four-door saloon (E90, Frankfurt 2005) and the five-door Touring (E91, summer 2006), while the coupé (E92, end 2006) and cabrio (E93, spring 2007) will be named the 4-series in the future. However, the difference won't only be the name but also a massively redesigned body, a more complete equipment, more powerful engines - and, needless to mention, a higher price.

Since the Compact can't exactly be called a great success and the 1-Series is yet waiting in the pipeline, we do not expect a successor of the current hatch. And also the next generation M3 hasn't received the green light yet. However, the reason is problems with the 400-HP 4.5-litre V8 and the SMG-III-transmission. Once these problems are under control, the M3 won't only be available as a coupé and cabrio but also as a Touring. Something completely new for BMW will be the use of turbochargers for petrol engines. The first turbo-engine (four-cylinder) will be introduced with the top-model of the future 1-series, the second for the 300-HP 330ti, aspirating the 3-series' six-cylinder straight top-model, crowned only by the M-company's M3.

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