This is the best look we’ve received so far of the mid-life update BMW 3 Series.
Over the past few months we’ve seen a number of facelifted prototypes ahead of its expected reveal later in 2022.
This particular prototype strips away some of the camouflage and can be seen with sporty additions.
In the current-model 3 Series, BMW offers a range of M Performance aesthetic accessories that include front lip spoilers, side skirts extensions, rear diffusers, rear spoilers, and various other carbon fibre and Alcantara additions.
It’s expected the additions on this spied 3 Series prototype make up parts of the M Performance accessory range for the updated model.
From the front, the camouflage on the grille has been removed which allows us to see the kidney grille in its entirety. It doesn’t appear to have grown from the current-generation 3 Series.
In the spy photos it appears this prototype has active grille vents that can close to warm up the engine quicker and open if additional cooling is needed.
The rest of the front fascia has been redesigned with reworked daytime running lights that are now on top of the headlights, and different air intakes.
Under the front bumper there’s a lip spoiler that sweeps around the side of the prototype that’s expected to be an M Performance addition.
Around the side, the 3 Series prototype is fitted with 19-inch M-designated alloy wheels and has a blanked-out M badge on the front wheel arch.
There isn’t any camouflage on the side of this prototype, just like every other updated 3 Series prototype, which indicates this facelift is focused around the front and rear fascias of the car.
At the back there’s a peculiar rear spoiler. It’s finished in black and has an interesting shape that doesn’t cohesively go with the design of the updated 3 Series.
The reason why it looks strange could be because of the camouflage that’s hiding certain aspects of the car still.
It’s unclear if this rear spoiler will be offered as an accessory in the M Performance range.
The rear fascia has been redesigned from the current 3 Series, and this particular prototype has the same trapezoidal, dual exhaust tips as the spied M340i facelift prototype.
Our spy photographers have previously captured photos of the curved dash that’ll feature in the mid-life updated 3 Series.
Pictured: Previously spied 3 Series prototype
This is expected to be the same curved dashboard as the one in the i4 and iX, with a large 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and 14.9-inch touchscreen infotainment display.
Powered by the latest iDrive 8 operating system, this new infotainment system supports over-the-air updates, improved personalisation, voice recognition features, and a minimalist interface with large icons.
At this stage it’s unclear if there’ll be any powertrain modifications made to the facelifted 3 Series when it launches.
The current-model 3 Series arrived here in 2019 with turbo-petrol and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) variants.
A long-wheelbase, electric version of the 3 Series was leaked in China in December 2021. This model is expected to be a China-only model.
In Australia, the 3 Series has been the top-selling luxury sedan in its segment for a few years, having overtaken the ageing and soon-to-be-replaced Mercedes-Benz C-Class generation.
MORE: Everything BMW 3 Series
