BMW will introduce a facelift for its popular 3 Series in the first quarter of next year. The facelift follows BMW's practice of launching a LCI (Life Cycle Impulse) - a very mild mid-life refresh - in the third year of the product's life. The sixth generation BMW 3 Series was unveiled to the world in late 2011 and European sales started in early 2012. In India, BMW launched the car in July of 2012.
The facelifted 3 Series, according to this rendering, will get subtle changes to its front bumper and headlights. The bumper would be given an air-vent near the foglight enclosure, while the headlamp cluster would get LED headlights. A similar facelift was rolled out on the 5 Series last year.
Interior changes would come to the trim and color of the dashboard and seats, while the iDrive controller would be updated to the newer version with touch recognition capability. Under the hood, the 320d's 2.0-liter diesel engine could get a minor update. Where the current model makes 184 hp, the update would add a further 6 hp.
In India, the 3 Series is offered in 320d and 328i variants, and in sedan and GT bodystyles. Both bodystyles are locally assembled at BMW's Chennai plant.
The facelifted 3 Series would likely debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March next year and take another 3-6 months to launch in India.
[Rendering - Automobile Magazine]
[Source - BMW Blog]
