Upcoming BMW's

["Lew Becker" <subecker@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

As I recall, someone recently noted an Australian newspaper article stated
that the #46 M3 was rumored to have 350 hp,  I came across what purported to
be the article, which had additional interesting information:

The future of the 3 Series: Munich takes four tacks

The next generation of the big-selling BMW will form a quartet to cater for
basic, sporty, stylish and practical tastes. Georg Kacher reports.


Despite growing waiting lists for its new 3 Series in Europe, BMW will stick
with its original schedule, introducing a new coupe version next April along
with the high performance M3.

Fresh air fans will have to wait until 2000, however, for the next
generation BMW cabriolet. Despite criticism in the motoring media about high
prices and unexciting styling, the new 3 Series is a sell-out in Europe.
Instead of shutting down for the northern summer holidays, BMW kept its
assembly lines running at full speed.

The 3 Series sedan arrives here in late September with the coupe and M-car
likely in late 1999.

Immediate success for the 3 Series, BMW's biggest-selling model, has boosted
the chances of approval for a lightweight re-incarnation of the 2002. This
late-'60s cult machine has provided much of the DNA for successive 3 Series
models. BMW insiders are confident the 02 will see the light of day in late
2001.

Meanwhile, work continues on other 3 Series variants with a wagon ("touring"
in Munich-speak) arriving midway through next year. The largely unloved
Compact gets a major refit at Sydney Olympics time. To keep weight down, BMW
reportedly will fit the next M3 with thinner glass, doors and lids made of
high-strength steel, aluminium suspension and miniaturised auxiliary
equipment.

Visually, the M3 remains something of a wolf in sheep's clothing. Styled
along the same lines as the new M5, it gets revised front and rear bumpers,
bigger air intakes, twin tail-pipes, fat tyres on 17-inch wheels, integrated
driving lights and subtle sill extensions. Engine modifications will raise
the capacity and power output to 3.4 litres and about 275 kW.

The next M3 will have a six-speed manual gearbox or an improved sequential
transmission. In the future, gear changes will be triggered by depressing a
paddle or switch on the steering wheel, and the automatic mode will be
significantly smoother as well as more responsive.

Initially a coupe, the M3 from early 2001 will come as a convertible. The
four-door is tipped to bite the dust, but we may eventually see an M3
touring.

The third edition of the 3 Series touring gets a bigger cargo deck, a more
practical luggage compartment cover, roof rails and an optional
self-leveling rear suspension. Even more than its predecessor, this is a
proper sports wagon aimed at active and affluent customers, with a trio of
engines putting out appropriately higher power.

The beautiful 3 Series convertible is a tough act to follow, but BMW intends
to do just that with the third generation, due in 2000. Derived from the
coupe, it has a slightly bigger boot, a little more rear leg room and a much
more rigid body structure.

Ride comfort is bound to improve, the re-engineered folding top is said to
be significantly quieter, and there will be major improvements in passive
safety. New state-of-the-art direct-injection petrol engines are in the
pipeline, as are a new type of fuel-saving variable-valve timing and a
continuously variable automatic transmission.

The news on the proposed 2002 replacement is encouraging. A project engineer
reckons that imminent, more stringent emission and fuel economy standards
make efficient engines and lightweight structures more important than ever.
"I believe that we can build a car," he said, "that meets these standards,
that is fun to drive and that recaptures the spirit of the classic 02. But
I'm not so sure yet whether we can price it to sell the required 80,000
units per year."

Perhaps the most interesting model out of this lot is the new Compact.
Originally, BMW had planned to facelift the current car one last time this
September, but at the eleventh hour the management decided against it.
Instead, the money will be spent on an extensive revision of the new car for
model year 2001.

Unlike today's Compact - basically a short-tail, three-door, down-specced 3
Series derivative - its replacement is all set to get its own sheet metal
and distinctive looks.

Dubbed E46/5, the next base BMW combines the attractive shape of a coupe
with the practicality of a hatch. The dashboard this time will be derived
from the sedan, but the Compact gets a bespoke cabin trim and uprated
equipment including headbags (ITS - inflatable tubular structure) as well as
a leather-rimmed steering wheel.

The previous model used the running gear of the old 3 Series, while the new
car shares its chassis with the current 318i/328i.

The longer wheelbase, the wider track and four disc brakes provide better
active safety.

THREES ... A CROWD

Likely ETAs are:


September, 3 Series sedan;

Mid-1999, "touring" wagon;

Late 1999, coupe and M3;

Mid-2000, all-new convertible;

Late 2000, second edition of the Compact;

Early 2001, M3 convertible, reincarnation of lightweight 2002

Lew Becker

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End of bmw-digest V9 #27
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