2012 BMW 3 Series revealed, coming to Australia Q2

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By Brett Davis | October 17th, 2011

BMW has pulled the wraps off the all-new 2012 BMW 3 Series. The sixth-generation 3 Series was unveiled at a special premiere event at the company’s headquarters in Munich, Germany.

As predicted, the new 3 Series takes on BMW’s latest design language also seen on the BMW 5 Series and the new BMW 1 Series. It shares similar lines and panel proportions to these models, including a long V-contoured bonnet with a pronounced nose and grille area. There’s also an interesting new headlight design that extends inwards to meet with the traditional kidney grilles.

At the back and the sides it’s easy to spot the resemblance with the 5 Series, with big red taillights and swollen rear guards that blend around and form into a matching mould for the rear bumper. The lower rear bumper also gets new fog lights/reflectors sandwiching a discrete little diffuser.

Like the currently line-up, the new BMW 3 Series will come with a range of engines. There will be a new BMW 316d and BMW 318d, possibly set for overseas markets only, coming with a 2.0-litre turbo-diesel engine producing 85kW and 105kW respectively.

The initial range will consist of a BMW 320d, BMW 320d EfficientDynamics, BMW 328i and a flagship BMW 335i.

Starting with the entry-level variant, BMW has introduced a new super-fuel-efficient 3 Series called the BMW 320d EfficientDynamics. It will be powered by a 2.0-litre TwinPower turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine producing 120kW of power and 380Nm of torque.

Thanks to an array of fuel-saving technologies such as Stop-Start, Brake Energy Regeneration, and on-demand control of engine ancillary components, it’s average fuel consumption rating is just 4.1L/100km. The EfficientDynamics model is also fitted with low rolling resistance tyres.

The new base model BMW 320d will come with a similar powertrain package, only the engine will produce 135kW of power and 380Nm of torque and showcase an average fuel consumption figure of 4.5L/100km.

Next up in the new range is the BMW 328i. It will be powered by the all-new 2.0-litre TwinPower turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 180kW of power and 350Nm of torque. BMW says the new 320d will be able to accelerate from 0-100km/h in 5.9 seconds.

Finally, the new BMW 335i will come with the same 3.0-litre TwinPower turbo six-cylinder producing 225kW of power and 400Nm of torque. BMW says thanks to various fuel-saving technologies and slight revisions, fuel consumption for the 335i has been reduced from 9.6L/100km to 7.9L/100km.

BMW will release a BMW ActiveHybrid 3 hybrid version of the new 3 Series sometime down the track, as our previous spy shots hinted. The new hybrid will be powered by the 335i 3.0-litre petrol engine and a 40kW hybrid electric system. Performance and official specifications are yet to be finalised.

The 2012 BMW 3 Series will go on sale in Australia early in the second quarter of next year. The new wagon will follow, while the new coupe and convertible versions – expected to be called the BMW 4 Series – should arrive late in 2013. Pricing on the specific variants headed our way is yet to be announced. We’ll keep you updated.

Jason

What the hell.

Roadtard

Jason, the sound you heard was a yawn.
AK

Does not look as handsome as the 5 series, but love the front headlight design

Jazrod

Wow, that looks absolutely awesome! Love the recessed headlights and exposed grill. Best looking 3series yet!

Can’t wait to see the M3!
David

Looks great inside and out. Can’t wait to see it in the metal. I reckon the 328i will be the bang for your buck proposition in this segment.
Nugsdad

Definitely Evolution not revolution

Ovlov

Yeah, it somehow reminds me of what Volvo has done to the 850.. to make the S70 about 10 years ago.

Zaps

How is the new office CA?
Ox

Some nice details on the front, but overall design is to safe imo.
Golfschwein

I love everything about it – looks, spec, the lot! Fantastic.
figo

when will bmw make a car which looks different from its previous generation. this is more of a face-lift rather a new design.people will still love it i guess,doesnt work for me at all.

Matty B

So apart from the last 3 series to this one, name another ? Previous 5 or 7 series and current ? What about the Z4′s ?

I probably agree with your sentiment, it does look like they took the previous 3 series and put a Z4 nose on it. But don’t make out as if BMW are notorious for it.

flash

Looks like they got this one right, well done BMW.
F1MotoGP

Excellent engine!! 2 liter 180kW and 350Nm from 1250 rpm!!
City fuel economy only 8.2L/100km and combined only 6.3! Good as any 3 liter engine. Diesel fuel economy is even better city only 5.4!!!
Martin

This is a much better representation of the 3-series. I love it!
HaplessPossum

This looks really classy. Absolutely love the interior!

http://yahoo Andrew

yep, interior big step forward from previous model. The E90 was a let down after the still good looking E46. Also the E90′s (not the coupes) tail lights always looked like something Nissan had rejected…these much classier

http://caradvice OSU811

Not a great leap forward imo, doesnt look any more modern inside or outside than current model!

Grammar Nazi

MIght not have any new lairy parts, but it’ll still look tasteful in ten years time. That’s a win in the design department for me.

Troy

You’re joking right? From a ‘design’ perspective… it’s just wrong. Granted, it’s not quite as awful as the Ssangyong Stavic – but that probably has more to do with the badge than the sheet metal.

BMW’s current design ethos has me stumped. I mean are these new models the bastard offspring of a Hyundai/Cadillac holiday fling in Bali?!

Grammar Nazi

Nope. No joke. I think it looks great for a what we must remember is a conservative sports saloon. Well proportioned; sporty yet understated; and clearly a BMW – it’s looking like most others think the same as well Troy.

David

Hey Brett,

You might want to correct your 320d 0-100 time from within the 328i details. The 320d will NOT accelerate it in 5.9 seconds. The 328i with manual tranny, however will do it in 5.9 seconds.

F1MotoGP

I just checked the German website and you are correct.

320d 7.5 sec to 100km
328i 5.9 sec to 100km

Mr Gaspo

Post Bangel, BMW are going back to what they know… 5 five series in different sizes.

Matty B

The Back end screams five series, but the front looks more Z4. At least it’s a little bit different.

Hung Low

Goodbye to the sweet n/a straight six
Paul Amos

So there is no 320i?

F1MotoGP

Yes 320i is gone but you got 328i which is a 4 cylinder. Before I know if is a 328i is a 3 series with 2.8 liter engine. Not anymore! Today’s 328i is 4 cyl and got more power than the old 328i.

Devil’s Advocate

The 328i hasn’t been a 2.8L 6 cyl for little while now. It was actually the 3L that had been “de-tuned”. BMW have been shuffling their numbers more often since the E36 3 series ie the E36 323i actually had a 2.5L engine (based off the previous E36′s 325i engine) with smaller intake runners etc which reduced it’s power and gave it a greater “power gap” to the “mid life update” 2.8L in the 328i as it only had 1kw more than the 2.5 in the previous 325i (a bit more torque though obviously). There were also some E46 320i models with a 2.2L engine. You haven’t been able to trust the badge number on the back of a BMW for a while now.

Smoothcall

320i is on the way – also 2l turbo
135kW and 270Nm

It’s not clear as yet if there are any hardware differences to the 328i or if it is just a detune

3l turbo diesels also to come

john

lets hope they price it at a more affordable level
DonkeyKong

What have they done to the 3 series? The rear resembling the 5 series was expected but the front just looks hideous; a squashed version of the hammerhead concept?
anthony

Stunning looking,beware Mercedes and Audi…
Good News Guy

I think its all rather Ho-Hum myself.
Bangel

Looks good , love the short boot , long bonnet , like the Z4,always on the mark , will still look good in 10 years when many others are junked , classy .
brumby

boriiiiinnnggg!

Bring back Bangle, I say!
D Is For Drive

It’s the first BMW i’d like to own
bert

Just when I thought BMW surely could not make another ugly 3 series and along came this! Very disappointed!
HJP

The front end is good, the back end is unmistakably 5 Series. The interior is biggest improvement over predecessor. Overall, well done BMW.
theillestlife

from the top picture, the side mirrors look so simliar to the ones on the W204 C-Class and VZ commordore.
Commentator

Nice. I want an ice silver one now.
dust on earth

the front head lights look a bit like previous 6-series…
Tydurban

BMW sells most of their 3 series in America and sadly Americans won’t go for this sort of thing. The design is nothing short of repulsive and the newly revealed Cadillac ats makes puts this vehicle to shame in looks, weight, power and price. BMW may have just K.O.’d themselves with this thing. I was looking to buy the new 3 series but after seeing it in the flesh I’ll pass it up for either an Audi or Cadillac.