Aside from putting up a better fight against the current Audi A4, Mercedes C-Class and Jaguar XE, the next 3-Series (G20) is rumored to also show up in full EV mode in order to give the Tesla Model 3 a run for its money.
According to AutoExpress, the German automaker knows what it needs to do in order to keep the 3-Series on top of its game, which is why plug-in hybrid and all-electric versions are expected to show up during the G20’s life-cycle. The next 3-Series is also getting BMW‘s all-new CLAR platform, which stands for ‘Cluster Architecture’. By using the new platform, the 3-Series could shed as much as 80 kg (176 lbs) in weight, thanks to the lighter components, likely to be used around the pillars, door frames and the transmission tunnel.
The lower weight would help improve the car’s handling characteristics as well as overall agility, both key factors against the likes of the XE and Alfa Romeo’s Giulia, which have gotten lots of favorable reviews lately. Smaller engines would help too, which is why we can expect the 318i’s entry-level 1.5-liter three-cylinder petrol engine to endure. In terms of diesel power, while the 2.0-liter units should remain key, we might also see a three-cylinder 1.6-liter diesel with 114 HP.
As for electrification, BMW engineers are said to be working on a 90 kWh battery pack which could potentially give the 3-Series EV (likely to be called eDrive Sport) a range of about 300 miles (482 km). While the eDrive may not arrive until 2020, we can expect at least one plug-in hybrid version to be available from launch – specifically a new version of the 330e, using an updated 2.0-liter petrol engine and an 87 HP electric motor (plus a larger battery pack to increase EV-only range).
BMW’s next 3-Series is likely to make its debut sometime next year.
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