Spied: BMW's bread and butter 3 Series sheds more camo

These days, BMW would normally give their cars a totally redesign their cars every seven years. That means the 3 Series is due for an all-new model by next year. Our spies have caught the upcoming D-segment sedan sporting less camouflage, allowing us to see a clearer picture of that the popular compact executive might look like.

A closer look at the car reveals that it follows BMW's current design direction, particularly at the front end. Just like the 7 Series and the 5 Series, it sports a larger, wider kidney grill which is complemented by larger headlights. In turn, the said lights are connected to the grill. That said, the whole front is noticeably rounder than its larger siblings.

The swirl-themed camouflage distorts a lot of the details on the sides but there is a clearer view of the profile. There's the traditional 'Hoffmeister Kink', along with a window line that goes up in a gentle manner. Lastly, the tail is pointed upwards, much like the 3 Series models of the past 26 years. With the rear showing off the production taillights, we see a glimpse of the signature L-shaped taillights, albeit not in full detail.

Overall, the next, generation 3 Series presents an evolutionary redesign over the current model. The all-new sedan rides on a shortened version of the 5 Series platform dubbed the OKL. Enthusiasts can breathe a sigh of relief then as it will retain rear wheel drive.

As for engines, these will likely range from a turbocharged inline-three to a potent turbo straight-six for the gas range. Diesels on the other hand are expected to be a mix of four and six-cylinder options. A plug-in hybrid may eventually join the range in the future as well.