The latest iteration of the ubiquitous BMW 3 Series is probably just around the corner as we have seen prototypes of both the regular versions and of the all-new M3 – which is getting hybridized and might also pack a fully-fledged EV option, too.
So, we know it's coming – along with Mercedes-Benz's facelifted C-Class – and the popular 3 Series will follow in the footsteps of the 5 Series/i5 and 7 Series/i7 models.
According to the rumor mill, BMW will adopt a slightly different strategy because the next i3 and the regular 3 Series might still feature completely different platforms, albeit with similar design cues.
Indeed, the prototypes wearing skin-tight camouflage offer enough indications regarding the styling – and it seems the new sedan might adopt a similar profile to the BMW 5 Series but with fresh styling up front and possibly also around the back.
That's because, allegedly, the BMW 3 Series will adopt – just like the i3 – the design revolution previewed by the recent sedan and SUV Neue Klasse concepts.
Naturally, all these prototypes have caught the attention of members of the imaginative guild of digital car content creators dwelling around the parallel universes of vehicular CGI – for example, the virtual artist behind Larson Design (aka lars_o_saeltzer on social media) brings to life his CGI vision of the upcoming BMW 3 Series for the good folks over at Dutch news outlet AutoWeek.
Of course, as always, do take this with a healthy pinch of salt because while the silhouette feels properly inspired by the real BMW 5 Series and the front comes with obvious Neue Klasse design cues, the rear is considered a rip-off of the Peugeot 508, which was probably used as the base for the unofficial, hypothetical CGI design project.
The pixel master's vision is of the feisty BMW M340 with inline-six ICE power under the hood – and the rumor mill believes the Bavarians will continue to offer the traditional range of 2.0-liter four-cylinder and 3.0-liter inline-six gasoline engines with turbocharging and mild-hybrid technology for enhanced power and efficiency plus the added bonus points in terms of pollution regulations.
There will be plug-in hybrid models and possibly even diesel mills for certain markets, including Europe.
The good news is that BMW doesn't follow Mercedes-AMG on the path of downsizing, and while the C 63 has a four-cylinder engine plus electric assistance, the M340 or M350 won't kill the inline-six tradition, so the M3 will surely retain the signature 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged mill.
It should come with increased performance thanks to a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, while it won't follow in the heavy footsteps of the M5 series with a massive PHEV assembly.
