Lately, the three German luxury brands have been carving niches out of niches, but that hasn't stopped them from paying attention to their core products. BMW just redesinged the 5 and 7 Series with a new 3 Series on the way. Mercedes-Benz has a brand new E-Class sedan and coupe on its hands, with wagon and convertible variants en route. And Audi is in the midst of revising its entire lineup. Read on to find out more about what's in store from Ingolstadt, Munich, and Stuttgart.
WHAT: 2012 BMW 3 SERIES
WHEN: EARLY 2011
When the next-generation BMW 3 Series arrives sometime in 2011, one of the big changes besides the updated sheetmetal (don't expect a radical change like there was from the E46 to the current E90) will be the new single-turbo inline-six that replaces the current model's twin-turbo unit. First seen in the 5 Series Gran Turismo, this mill makes the same 300 horsepower and 300 pound-feet of torque, but over a wider RPM range while meeting the upcoming Euro6 and U.S. SULEV emissions standards. A naturally-aspirated I-6 should also be available and there are even rumors of an I-4. The arrival of the new 3 Series will also bring about the end of the V-8-powered M3, as the next one is expected to go back to an I-6 powerplant.
WHEN: EARLY 2011
When the next-generation BMW 3 Series arrives sometime in 2011, one of the big changes besides the updated sheetmetal (don't expect a radical change like there was from the E46 to the current E90) will be the new single-turbo inline-six that replaces the current model's twin-turbo unit. First seen in the 5 Series Gran Turismo, this mill makes the same 300 horsepower and 300 pound-feet of torque, but over a wider RPM range while meeting the upcoming Euro6 and U.S. SULEV emissions standards. A naturally-aspirated I-6 should also be available and there are even rumors of an I-4. The arrival of the new 3 Series will also bring about the end of the V-8-powered M3, as the next one is expected to go back to an I-6 powerplant.
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