Now that didn’t take long, did it? No sooner than BMW revealed the sixth-generation of its 3-Series saloon and the first camouflaged prototypes of the coupe model have hit the streets of Germany to begin their final stages of testing.
For those of you confused with our title, unconfirmed reports citing insider sources claim that BMW is contemplating the use of odd numbers for its family models such as sedans and station wagons and even numbers for its sportier vehicles like the X6 and the two door version of the 3-Series, which may be named 4-Series.
BMW had toyed around with the idea in the past but it never came to fruition. We still don’t know for sure if the next 3-Series Coupe will be renamed or not.
No matter what it will be called, the two-door version of the 3-Series will share its basic platform architecture and engine range with the new sedan model.
However, as you can see for yourself in these fresh spy pictures, it will have proper coupe proportions with long front doors and a lower roofline that is heavily slanted towards the back. The front and rear-end designs are expected to differ from those of the sedan model.
The engine range will more or less mirror that of the four-door 3-Series with plenty of turbocharged gasoline and diesel engines to choose from. Among other available powerplants, will be a selection of turbocharged four-cylinder petrols including a 1.6-liter unit for Europe and a global 2.0-liter with up to 240HP at launch and a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six petrol with 300HP (306HP in the EU).
Transmission options will include six-speed manual gearboxes and an eight-speed automatic while BMW will eventually offer all-wheel drive variants as well.
The new 3-Series Coupe or 4-Series should make its debut late next year or in early 2013, with the much-anticipated M-badged model to follow later on.
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