As another day passes and Friday looms with anticipation for the all-new BMW 3-Series, we're left scratching our heads with several things and excited about others.
That's because we know the new 3-Series will be an important product for BMW since it is the brand's volume seller. It can't get this car wrong.
After examining the spy photographs and images we've seen thus far, we can conclude some things:
We know the next-generation 3-Series will be longer, wider and lower than the outgoing model with its wheels pushed towards the corner of the vehicle. In addition, it's design will be evolutionary. From comparison shots we've run next to the current car, it maintains the same side profile and rear three quarters BUT it will have some sort of new design featuring its grill.
On the interior, we know the design will be heavily influenced from the latest BMW products. This means that it will feature an optional heads-up display, a navigation unit that looks like an Apple product, and switchgear inspired from the latest 6-Series.
Now what we don't know is how its engines will shake out. Although we've got some clues from the latest BMWs, we can't be entirely sure. I think it's safe to say there will be at least four powerplant options: a four-cylinder, an inline six, a hybrid variant and a V6 for the M3. Think of it like the architecture BMW has set up with the 5-Series, of course the hybrid is on its way.
Something we're speculating on is some sort of special connectivity or relationship with the Apple iPhone. BMW has shown interest in Apple by being one of the first automakers to get iPod connectivity AND it is a bit of a coincidence that the timing of this launch happens the same day as the iPhone launch.