The interior of the next-generation BMW 3 Series has been spied for the first time. On top of that there’s fresh images of the new car’s exterior.
Unfortunately, the latest 3 Series prototypes seem to be wearing a similar amount of disguise to the cars that were spotted during cold-weather testing at the beginning of the year.
The new car has an evolutionary shape, and will likely be larger for improved interior space and passenger comfort.
On the inside, the dashboard features a free-standing screen for the iDrive infotainment system. In the center section of the dashboard is a strip of capacitive buttons for the entertainment system’s memory settings.
Ahead of the driver is an instrument cluster that does its best to fuse both analog traditions with today’s digital reality.
There are two half rings for the tachometer and speedometer framing an irregularly shaped display screen, which will feature digital needles, a multi-function trip computer, and interfaces for the entertainment and navigation systems.
Codenamed ‘G20’, the new 3 Series sedan will ride on a version of the company’s new Carbon Core architecture.
The new platform should see the big selling sedan shed around 100 kilograms of weight through the use lightweight materials, such as aluminium, high-strength steel and, yes, maybe, even a bit of carbon-fibre.
Under the bonnet, the mainstream models in the new 3 Series range will use turbocharged three, four, and six–cylinder engines.
The current 3 Series sedan went into production in 2011, and the new car will, in all likelihood, debut in time to go on sale some time during 2018, at least in major overseas markets.
- Derek Fung, caradvice.com.au