Friday 17th February 2006

BMW 3-Series Coupé spy-shotted

New two-door car almost out of disguise

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The 2007 BMW 3-Series Coupé is undergoing test drives -- and PH's top spy-snappers have caught it on camera.

Although it's in light disguise -- mainly the lights are taped -- what's clear is that Chris Bangle has had a string inout to its design. There's a far stronger swage line along the flanks than the current car, while the semi-flame-surfaced doors sit above another upward-curving crease. It looks under-wheeled but the wheelarches have a Focus Mk I-style edge to them, and the body retains the Hofmeister kink. At the rear, the bootlid appears to be carrying a spoiler lip, beneath which a pair of exhaust tips peek.

We hear that the coupé will feature a number of engines, from a four-cylinder 2.0-litre petrol mill to a powerful V8 4.0-litre V8 that'll sit in the flagship M3. Four-wheel-drive options are likely.

We'll bring you more when we can.

Photos by Sebastian Giesler

[GTRene]

It looks under-wheeled..yes it does, but being a testmule you can't say much about that, but hope the coming V8 M3 does look great and have around 420ps and a bit more agressive looks anyway its a start
GTRene

[Mr Whippy]

You can really see the extra flab the new 3 series carries. Those wheels fill out the old 328Ci's really well, and look really nice, but are almost lost on that new 3 coupe!

130i is more desireable looks wise to me anyway.

Dave

[Zod]

Those are winter wheels.

[AlexRWD]

it looks big, dull and flabby - more like a Merc coupe

[Mr Whippy]

Zod said:

Those are winter wheels.

Winter wheels?

Those were top-spec 328Ci wheels!

How are they winter, because they have 40 profile tyres, not 20 profile on 20 inch rims?

Stupid big fat flabby shed! The current 330Ci looks gorgeously proportioned, that new one looks like a fat bird trying to fit in a sexy small dress!

Dave

[nuez]

A four wheeled drive 3 series coupe, Why?

[DoctorD]

Here's how it looks with bigger wheels

[slikshift]

Any one notice that shot#3 looks like a 3/4 rear view of a volvo coupe?!?

[ubergreg]

On any other car I wouldn't have cared, but when Flame Surfacing comes at the expense of lithe proportions and nicely filled wheel arches, it makes me want to go have a cry and a heart-to-heart with Ben & Jerry.

I know it'll be a class-leading drive, but it sure doesn't look it. And a CC variant!? FCK THE MARKET!!! This is BMW for sht sakes!!!

I'm going to buy BMW chairman Helmut Panke a satnav unit for his next birthday present. He seems to have lost the plot.

[dick dastardly]

Can you all see the pics?? I just get those damn red X's and when I click on them it says "Sorry, that page cannot be found. The page you are looking for might have been removed, had its name changed, or is temporarily unavailable"

[ubergreg]

dick dastardly said:

Can you all see the pics?? I just get those damn red X's and when I click on them it says "Sorry, that page cannot be found. The page you are looking for might have been removed, had its name changed, or is temporarily unavailable"

I have the same problem as well. Check out www.worldcarfans.com and scroll down a bit.

Oh wait - maybe you shouldn't...

[swiss]

Can't say I'm a fan to be honest, dispropotionate wheels or note. I agree that it looks overweight and flabby. The greater overhangs then the present coupe are causing this. To be it looks a little like the Lancia Gamma Coupe of the 80's ...

[greg_D]

one word - Minging

WTF are BMW thinking at the moment???

[mondeoman]

It looks about 3' too long......
yuyckyuckyuckckcyuck

[Dino D]

I was really hoping this car was going to look good....

The rear half of the car just seems a bit to stretched out and out of sync with the more stubby front. Maybe its the effect of the disguise and wheels...or maybe BMW are making all their standard cars ugly on purpose so that you have to buy the sport kit.

Look at the 5 series-when it came out it looked terrible, slap on the Msport kit and it is seriously sexy, especially in black with the latest style multispoke wheels.

[J-skid]

Agreed, the rear quarter seems a bit too long. However I reserve judgement on it until I've seen it in the flesh. The latest style BMW's don't photograph well, but in the flesh they look a hell of a lot better (IMO of course). Actually I really like the new 5 and quite fancy picking up a 2/3 year old 745i at the minute - perhaps this turning 30 business has affected me

[Dino D]

J-skid said:

). Actually I really like the new 5 and quite fancy picking up a 2/3 year old 745i at the minute - perhaps this turning 30 business has affected me

The 7 series is a good idea. I initially hated the thing with a passion but now that they have brought out the facelift I think the first attempt is better...

Go for black one with blacked out windows. Even better if you can get you hands on the Alpina styled one..with the biggest wheels you can afford of course!

[Dino D]

Just a thought-Maybe that long arse is there so that you can actually get people in the back???

[richb]

ubergreg said:

I know it'll be a class-leading drive...

Why do you say that? The press have been quite underwhelmed by the new breed of 3 series.

[richb]

Dino D said:

Just a thought-Maybe that long arse is there so that you can actually get people in the back???

If that's a consideration they make a 4 x door saloon that is quite capable.