After copious amounts of official teasers and spy shots of prototypes, BMW will soon lift the covers off the brand new 3 Series at the Paris Auto Show. Ahead of its official reveal next month, a new photo has surfaced on French forum Worldscoop showing what appears to be the production version of the G20 BMW 3 Series hiding under a sheet.
Like other recently introduced BMW models such as the new 8 series, the kidney grille is noticeably larger than its predecessor’s. Unlike other recent BMW models, however, the grille is still connected to the LED headlights. BMW Blog speculates the model depicted in the photo is the M340i M Performance model due to the enhanced outer edges specific to BMW M models.
Under the hood, the new BMW M340i is expected to use a variant of the new B58 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six engine delivering around 360 hp and 370 lb-ft of torque. Rear-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic gearbox are expected to be offered as standard, while BMW’s xDrive all-wheel drive system is likely to be on the options list. It isn’t known if a manual transmission will be available, however.
The M340i will also have BMW's limited-slip M Sport Differential as standard, which will be optional on other trims. While the next-generation 3 Series will be larger than the previous model, it will ride on BMW’s CLAR architecture, resulting in a 121-pound weight reduction thanks to extensive use of aluminium, magnesium and high-strength steel. The sedan’s rigidity has also been improved while still maintaining a perfect 50:50 weight distribution. Following its world debut at the Paris Auto Show next month, the new BMW 3 Series is expected to launch later this year.
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