2012 BMW 3 Series rendering

The sixth-generation 3 Series (codenamed the F30) will be influenced by the current 5 Series and 7 Series.

The rendering above reveals a clean design with wider kidney grilles and a pushed out snout.

The bonnet draws inspiration from the 5 Series and the Z4, and overall the vehicle has a slimmer more athletic appearance.

The sedan, wagon, coupe and convertible body styles will carry over, while a five-door hatch similar to the 5 Series Gran Turismo is also expected to join the line-up.

A new family of aluminium four-cylinder direct-injection turbocharged petrol engines will make its debut in the range joining the traditional six-cylinder units, while a hybrid model is also expected to join the 3 Series range for the first time.

Last month, our spy photographers captured a number of images of a highly camouflaged 2012 BMW 3 Series undergoing winter testing in northern Sweden.

Expect more images and details of the F30 3 Series to roll in as we get closer to the vehicle’s unveiling in Frankfurt.