NEXT 3-SERIES AIMS FOR CLASS-LEADING HANDLING
BMW’s 2017 compact exec gets a lighter, stiffer platform, upgraded engines, bolder styling and advanced electronics
Development of the next BMW 3-series saloon has ramped up, with new prototypes testing for durability ahead of an expected debut at the Frankfurt motor show in September 2017.
Set for Thai sale in 2018, the seventh generation of BMW’s best-selling model has been extensively re-engineered. Along with a new platform that is claimed to provide greater levels of production flexibility than today’s structure, the new 3-series, codenamed G20, adopts heavily revised petrol, diesel and hybrid powertrains and larger dimensions for additional interior space.
It also has an advanced electronic architecture that promises to match the features offered by two key rivals in the compact executive class: the Audi A4 and Mercedes-Benz C-class.
The G20 is set to be a far more progressive-looking model t han its predecessor and will influence the look of a new generation of BMW models.
“We’ve made a much bigger change to the design than with the next 5-series (see report below) and the latest 7-series,” said an insider who has worked on refining the new car’s final appearance.
As with the 5- and 7-series, the G20 receives a predominantly aluminium body. This comes as part of a weightsaving programme aimed at bringing in the entry-level 318i at less than 1,320kg — down from the 1,400kg of today’s model.
All models will receive LED headlights and new OLED tail-lamps. New laser headlight technology will also be introduced during the car’s seven-year lifecycle.
Dimensionally, the G20 has grown, with the wheelbase gaining most of this added length, improving rear seat space.
The new platform, which goes under the internal working name CLAR (Cluster Architecture), is also claimed to provide a significant improvement in rigidity. Chassis engineers are talking up gains in comfort. The super-stiff structure is set to support suspension featuring variable damping control as standard.
There’s also an optional active steering system, which provides steering input to the rear wheels in a bid to give heightened response and added agility. Active roll control is also planned, as well as a new braking system.
Power for low to mid-range versions of the G20 will come from a family of reworked 1.5-litre three-cylinder and 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol and diesel engines.
Petrol units receive a new injection system, a redesigned cooling system to improve efficiency and a singlepiece timing chain to improve lowend refinement.
Changes to the diesels go further to reduce fuel consumption by an average of 5%. Included on the four-cylinder diesels are new, more efficient turbochargers and a reworked exhaust gas recirculation system, fitted with a new AdBlue urea injection system designed to cut NOx emissions in the wake of Dieselgate.
At the performance end of the line-up will be a new M3, which will run a revised version of the current model’s twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre in-line six that is likely to match the 500hp of today’s M4 GTS.
A follow-up to today’s 330e plug-in hybrid is also planned. It is set to run the revised version of BMW’s 2.0-litre fourcylinder petrol engine in combination with a larger electric motor than today’s unit.
As with the current 3-series, its successor will come with eight-speed automatic.
Together with its heavily revised mechanical package, the new G20 will adopt a more advanced electronics architecture that supports the latest in stereo camera-dependent technology.