Seventh-generation compact saloon is being promised by its maker with enhanced driving dynamics and new four-cylinder petrol engine.
Is it being tested at that torturous track in Germany?
The lightly disguised prototype you see here in official pictures is undergoing final tests at the legendary Nurburgring, a race track in Germany BMW normally uses in fine-tuning chassis development of its latest cars.
Codenamed G20, the seventh-generation 3 Series is claimed by BMW to have even better driving dynamics than today’s F30-tagged saloon thanks to a raft of improvements under the skin.
While the fabled 50:50 front/rear weight distribution remains, the G20 has a 10mm lower centre of gravity than the F30. Plus, the tracks are wider and there’s increased wheel camber for enhanced handling.
BMW says weight has dropped by around 55kg, although the body is more rigid than ever.
The M Sport suspension has also been confirmed with a 10mm lower ride height, 18-inch wheels rimmed with mix-sized tyres, variable sports steering and torque-vectoring control for the rear wheels.
What’s the new engine like?
The only thing BMW has mentioned is that the new petrol-turbo engine, mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission, will be the most powerful four-cylinder made so far.
The 330i’s 2.0-litre four-pot motor in today’s F30 produces 252hp meaning that the output in the G20 would rise even further. A 260hp rating is possible because BMW has said that fuel economy is better than before by 5% (with additional thanks coming from that lighter body).
Even though the 330i isn’t being sold in Thailand, this particular engine sits under the bonnet of the 330e plug-in hybrid. This means that fans of today’s 330e can expect more performance and better economy in the G20.
When will it be revealed in full?
The G20 is tipped to make its debut at the Paris motor show later this year before being available in right-hand-drive form in early 2019.
Expect the new Three to look like a truncated model of today’s Five in appearance. As well, it’s said that a new digital instrument panel will appear in the G20.
Also due early next year is Volvo’s all-new S60. Although basic models are front-wheel drive, the plug-in hybrid would be four-wheel drive.
The closer rival to the 3 Series is the Mercedes-Benz C-Class, which will launch in Thailand at the end of this year with a facelift.
The revised C-Class rear-drive saloon will return with diesel power on Thai roads in C220d guise before receiving an improved hybrid and battery in the C350e next year.
