BMW's most important model range the 3-series, is the car that has to please rather than provoke. Apart from the x3-inspired newly shaped headlights and a wider twin-kidney grill, no more design excesses are to be expected.
According to photos and reports of the car doing tests, the new design will be quite moderate compared to the radical step went on replacing the former 7-series by today's model. Dimensions won't be changed much, but the longer wheelbase and higher roofline will benefit rear-seat passengers, and the tall boot increases space in the luggage compartment.
Like the current model, the new 3-series will get McPherson at front and a mult-link rear axle. New will be four electro-hydraulic disc brakes. As with the 5-series and 6-series, BMW plans clearly differentiate the two-door models from the four-door.
Therefore, the future 3-series will consist of only two models, the four-door saloon (due for launch at Frankfurt 2005) and the five-door touring (due to be launched in summer 2006), while the coupe (end 2006) and cabrio (spring 2007) will be named the 4-series in the future.
