As the E90 3-series’ production comes to an end this October, attention has already been shifting to the next generation F30 3-series sedan. Here, BMW continues testing of the next generation 3-series (F30) sedan. It seems that the amount of camouflage has remained at this level for a while now, but new colors continue to appear on the FEP prototypes.
The F30 3 series spied here looks to be in Deep Sea Blue Metallic or the new Midnight Blue color introduced on the F20 1-series hatchback. This … CONTINUED
The upcoming 6-series Gran Coupe has now been spotted out in M-sport form. The elegant four-door coupe will share the same M-sport kit as the 6-series coupe (recently spotted) and the convertible – with more aggressive front bumper, sideskirts, and rear bumper/diffuser.
Current expectation is for the Gran Coupe to hit showrooms in 2012 as a 2013 Model Year vehicle. Engine range is expected to be identical to the 6-Series Coupe.
Seen in these photos for the first time is what we believe is the F20 1-series with BMW Performance Aero Kit (front bumper, sideskirts, and rear bumper) with BMW Performance racing stripes. As with the prior 1-series, the BMW Performance program for the F20 will feature both cosmetic and performance parts, some of which may be revealed at the upcoming Frankfurt IAA show in September.
Which clues indicate that the aero parts underneath the camouflage are BMW Performance parts and not merely M-sport parts?
Foremost, the BMW Performance … CONTINUED
The soon to be released 6-Series Gran Coupe was first seen as a concept platform to showcase the new 6-Series Coupe styling, back in April of 2010. But then rumors and then design patent filings revealed that indeed BMW was going to produce a production version of the vehicle. Final confirmation came in the form of the first spyshots of the vehicle.
We’ve already seen the 6-series Gran Coupe in black and white, but it has now been spotted in Orion Silver. The low slung and sleek … CONTINUED
The recently-spied-for-first-time F3x 3-series Li Long wheelbase model continues its testing. This extended length next gen 3-series will be manufactured in China for sale only in China (like all new F30s for the Chinese market) and provides for more spacious backseat area with more legroom. The BMW 3-series Li will debut at the Beijing Autoshow in April 2012.
The platform will form the basis of the BMW 3-series Gran Turismo which debuts in 2013.
The F30 3-series is shaping up to the be safest 3-series yet. From the latest set of F30 spy photos, we have now spotted side view cameras, which will likely be part of a camera package which also includes top and rear view parking cameras. From previous interior spy photos we’ve also spotted the lane change warning system. All will combine to provide safety features which have never before been seen in the 3-series!
We’ve posted plenty of F30 spy photos and videos, but this is a first — a F30 335i with blue front brake calipers. Despite their color, the brakes on this prototype don’t appear to be larger or a special design compared to other F30 335i prototypes, so it could be cosmetic only (perhaps as part of a special package). BMW does seem to have an affinity for blue brakes recently, as seen on the F10 M5. Or, these brakes could be for testing purposes only.
Also seen … CONTINUED
First pictures of the Chinese Market BMW 3er Li. Like the BMW 5-series, the new BMW 3-series for the Chinese market will inherit an extended wheelbase model. Extra length in the rear will be a boon to Chinese customers in this segment where the car will face off with the Audi A4L. With BMW adding a 3-series Li, expect Mercedes-Benz to add a C-Klasse L when the next generation arrives.
Like all new F30′s for the Chinese market The 3erLi will be manufactured in China.
Whilst … CONTINUED
More photos of the 2012 335i from a recent testing session at the Nurburgring. The new photos continue to showcase the F30′s excellent stance and proportions, especially as it hunkers down around the turns.
The F30 3-series sedan will begin production in November 2011, shortly after the E90 3-series stops production. The F30 2012 Model Year will run until June 2012, upon which point it will switch to the 2013 Model Year.
F30 sales are expected to begin in Europe around the time of … CONTINUED
FEP F30 3-series prototypes are now running abound throughout Germany. This is the first sighting of a titanium silver F30 which was seen cruising on the Autobahn. As always, the F30 is looking great in motion and out in a real world environment with its great proportions and stance, short overhangs, and large wheels which fit the car’s size nicely.
The F30 3-series sedan will be revealed for the first time in the Fall and the first models introduced will be 328i and 335i models. They will … CONTINUED
We bring you more photos of the upcoming BMW 6 series Gran Coupe, which continues testing in Germany. Spotted for the first time here is a black mule (all previous prototypes were white). It continues to impress us with its extremely low slung and sleek stance and proportions.
Current expectation is for the Gran Coupe to hit showrooms in 2012 as a 2013 Model Year vehicle. Engine range is expected to be identical to the 6-Series Coupe.
Surprisingly, despite the slew of M6 spy photos we’ve brought you since last year, not a single prototype has been in any color other than black. That’s no longer the case as this space gray F12 M6 convertible was just spied on the streets of Munich.
The camouflage level remains the same as recent M6 convertible mules, with the front and rear fascia still mostly masked, but, as we’ve discussed previously — the details on the rear bumper can be made out through the tape, and appears … CONTINUED
We bring you the first ever live action look at the F30 335i testing on the Nurburgring. Without lap times it’s difficult to know exactly how well it handles the famed track, but the mule seems to zip around the track with great composure, little roll, and good speed. Check out the full video inside.
Here’s the very first look at the new BMW M3 DTM race car spied during its first trials on the German track Oschersleben. The M3 DTM car will see its first official action when BMW returns to the DTM in 2012.
The M3 DTM will be introduced next week and BMW motorsport enthusiasts will have the chance to see the car in person — during DTM weekend in Munich’s Olympic Stadium on the 16th and 17th of July. It will be presented to the media for the … CONTINUED
It’s been months since the F30 sedan has been spotted testing on the Nurburgring, but this F30 335i sedan was just spotted today making testing runs on the ring. This is the first space gray F30 prototype to be spied.
The last time the F30 was on the Nurburgring, it was in much heavier camouflage, but now appears in the latest level of camouflage and with premium wheels, first seen on the recent white F30 photos.
The F30 3-series sedan will begin production in November 2011, shortly after … CONTINUED
The 2012 BMW F13 M6 coupe has lost much of its camouflage, providing the most revealing look yet at the upcoming range topping M coupe. The F13 M6 coupe has now entered FEP (final evaulation phase). We think that the M6 may look wider than the regular 6-series coupe, perhaps to accomodate the super wide rear tires.
Compared to the regular F13 coupe, the rear bumper reflectors have been moved up to just under the rear tail lights for a sportier look. This particular F13 M6 coupe … CONTINUED
The F01 7-Series has been a real hit for BMW, but the company is not resting on its laurels. An LCI 7-Series has been planned for some time, and should be arriving to market in the near future. The overarching theme of this LCI (stands for Life Cycle Impulse — A facelift), is to ‘not fix it if it ain’t broke’. The changes are subtle on the whole and aim to freshen and not re-invent the look.
These series of spyphotos seem to confirm what was previously … CONTINUED
The next generation BMW 3-Series sedan is only months away from full reveal, and in typical BMW fashion the camo striptease continues during vehicle testing.
The overall level of camo on the cars appears to remain the same as previous photos demonstrated, however with better lighting and angles, a more realistic picure of the F30 appears before our eyes. The true “mini F10″ look of the car is much more obvious, especially when looking at the headline photo. That is to say a mini F10 5-Series with … CONTINUED
