[JamieA]

Wheels magazine published a rendering of the next 3 Series, along with a (I think dubious) claim that it will be brought forward one year to 2011 due to competitive reasons (see article in attached PDF)...

Would like to know what others think. Should BMW do what Audi did recently with the A4 and bring forward the new model? Or does BMW's brave new world leave you cold?

[JDLM]

another "what if" and I love photoshop thread

[Marcumac]

If this is what it really is going to look like, you won't know if it's a 3 Series or a Z4 until it passes you.

[Chrisb1231]

i hope not

[bklynbimmer]

you think they can make it a little less masculine.......let's bring back the boxier shape...screw the aerodynamics! just add more power

[dassub]

I'm getting a bit of a Lexus vibe.. do not want.

[siriusinvestor]

I would wait until the 2012 3 series , I know the new A4 costs less than the BMW, but I still see more mid cycle BMWs than the newer A4. I mean I thought Audi was like Honda where they always redid their cars every 3 years. The luxury arm of Honda, Acura also does the same thing. So why would you pay $60,000 for a Acura RL, when in 3 years they will redesign it anyway? At least with the BMW you got at least 6-7 year time span before you have to purchase a new car again. The three year total redesign is good if you lease your vehicle, if not then it's a waste of money for people that buy because they take the hit when the new designed vehicle comes out.

[nhhiep]

the body looks too much like the current 3, except the front. the new style will be very different from the one before that. just look at the e46 vs e90

[ArmyBimmerDude]

If it looks like that, i'll probably get a low mileage E92 M3.

[XYR03]

looks like a passat!

[roozie2001]

looks like a volvo

[yomama69]

OMG, nooooooooooooooooo. Not the e46 doors.

[Year's_End]

probably not even close. btw, image is a repost.

that's such a simple, generic guess at the next 3. oh, and bmw released a document describing some of the design cues of the next 3. the shadow hoffmeister kink (best seen in the new X1 and 7; a stamp in the c-pillar that mimics the rear window kink) leads into the character/shoulder line. not pictured in this rendering.

[scanboy]

Originally Posted by roozie2001

looks like a volvo

+1

[Mk23]

Not very sporty looking, looks more like a family sedan.

[Craig@SupremePower]

grilles are getting out of hand..

[JIM E92]

Notice how close the front wheels are to the base of the A-pillar....it almost looks like a FWD.

[TwinTurboXI]

I actually dont mind it, im sure the "real" car will look much better.

[david @ eas]

Originally Posted by Craig@SupremePower

grilles are getting out of hand..

I said the same exact thing when I saw that picture

[snareman]

No offense, but where do they come up with these renderings? Because if they don't have some leaked source from BMW then I can't see much validity in speculating.

[Pharmacist_]

Originally Posted by snareman

No offense, but where do they come up with these renderings? Because if they don't have some leaked source from BMW then I can't see much validity in speculating.

It looks like they take bits and pieces from other new & soon to be released models to form their chop. I don't think their is much validity to them, especially this far in advance.

Oh and the obvious purpose of the photoshops is to perpetuate threads like this. What else would we talk about on here?

To the OP, I don't think there is any way that they would shorten the cycle due to supposed market pressures. These cycles are long term investments, and I think it would cost them more to rush a product forward then maintain the plan.

[iheartsole]

looks alright. I want to see it in person