New BMW 3 Series caught testing, mid 2012 launch?

BMW is testing the all new 3 Series in the Indian market and the car was caught testing in Chennai.

BMW  captured the throne from Mercedes-Benz and became number luxury car maker in India in 2010. In 2011 saw the new X1 Sports Activity Vehicle being launched in India. The X1 helped to further boost sales for BMW. The new 5 Series and X3 to have helped to strengthen the sales and position for BMW in India.

The next big launch from BMW is the all new 3 series which replace the current model on sale. The new F30 will share similar design ques like the 5 Series and will be larger both outside and inside.

The new 3 Series which borrows a lot of design cues from the 5 Series and looks even more sportier now. The larger kidney shaped grille, a bigger nose , LED accent lights positioned like eyebrows above the striking twin headlights with corona rings give the car an impressive design at the front. Powerfully taut surfaces with sweeping lines dominate the side view of the BMW 3 Series Sedan.

The new BMW face, with elongated headlights reaching along as far as the BMW kidney grille, emphasizes the new BMW 3 Series’ sense of width and strengthens its athletic overall profile. The sixth generation of the 3 Series has grown moderately in size compared to its predecessor.

With its dynamic lines and athletic overall presence, the sixth generation of the world’s best-selling premium vehicle highlights the sporting character of the brand’s mid-size model. Although the new BMW 3 Series has grown moderately in all dimensions compared to its predecessor, it retains a perfect balance of sportiness and elegance. As in previous generations, the sedan’s dynamic proportions are shaped by the sweeping hood, short front overhang, long wheelbase and set-back greenhouse typical of BMW.

The interior of the new BMW 3 Series Sedan is straight out of the BMW design handbook. The driver-focused cockpit wraps around the driver and puts all the important controls within easy reach. The cockpit is angled towards the driver by seven degrees. The ingenious layout of the front cabin incorporates the driver-focused cockpit as part of its natural design – i.e. without excluding the front passenger.

The surfaces and lines flow over the instrument panel towards the front passenger side of the cabin, where they form a smooth, protective border. In the driver’s area all the lines converge on a single point behind the steering wheel and guide the eye towards the road.

The new BMW 3 series is available in three trims internationally: Sport Line, Luxury Line and Modern Line. Currently launched in 4 engine options: 328i, 335i, 320d and 320d efficient dynamics.

In India we could initially get the 320d and 318i (petrol engine) with launch expecting by mid 2012.

Image Source: IAB