Spy Shots: Mystery BMW concept headed for Frankfurt
by Sam Abuelsamid on Aug 5th 2009 at 4:51PM 
Mystery BMW concept - click above for high-res image gallery
It looks like someone at BMW is going to be in big trouble shortly. It appears that what we are looking at here is the concept car that the German automaker expected to unveil at the Frankfurt Motor Show next month as it is loaded up for transport. The new design study is reportedly some sort of sustainable sports car concept and is likely to include a variety of the brand's Efficient Dynamics technologies. Judging from the size of the vehicle shown in the snapshots from our friends at Bimmerpost, this showcar may well give us a strong indication of the design direction for the next-generation 3 Series which is just two years away. Judging by the visible cut-line of the door in the lower middle of the car, this may a four door, likely of the "four door coupe" persuasion, or perhaps a touring-style hatchback.
We may well be seeing some of the rumored powertrain for the new 3 including a turbocharged three-cylinder engine and some sort of hybrid drive system. Style wise, the concept appears to retain the elongated headlights that have appeared on the new Z4, 7 and 5 Series models, but with an even shorter front overhang. With the expected emphasis on aerodynamics for the new 3, it looks like the base of the windshield has moved forward giving the glass more rake than the current car. Oh, and that high-riding stance? We're assuming that's a byproduct of shipping block wedges, not actual design intent. We hope. A fine tip of the hat to Mo!
[Source: Bimmerpost]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
garlinski 4:54PM (8/05/2009)
The lines look interesting... but where is the Kidney Grille? Looks like it has a EVO grille uner those wraps.
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Protzenegger 4:57PM (8/05/2009)
I'm pretty sure it's split down the middle, like so:
http://img.worldcarfans.com/2009/3/medium/bmw-1-series-supersport-sketch.jpg
Paul 5:19PM (8/05/2009)
I can't tell if it's the photography or if this thing is huge! Seems to be of 5-series proportions so I'd expect this to be an indicator of the next 3's styling. Wind tunnels have shown this silhouette to be ideal (a la Prius) so "touring" style hatches (that perhaps use a trunk for traditional sedan buyers) will likely be more common soon.
What seems clear here is that it's definitely a 4-door.
zamafir 5:49PM (8/05/2009)
Yup, probably something along the lines of the rapide, a5 sportback, et-al. four door coupe, sharing some of dna we've seen before but in concept form. Though, with the 5 series GT, things are getting crowded. Who knows. Maybe they're feeling very devoid of new ideas and are reviving the 8 series.
AutoCritical 9:37AM (8/06/2009)
They are concept car proportions! How cool are the split side rockers... and those swish creases onthe front fascia! I think the kidney grille would be tucked inside!
ImSteevin 5:01PM (8/05/2009)
Looks kinda like a modernized 318ti ate an EVO
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KeatMP 6:15PM (8/05/2009)
Thrown in a Mustang in there too.
Taglane 7:48PM (8/05/2009)
With the Camaro's desaturated body kit loljk
john 5:02PM (8/05/2009)
that car looks absolutely massive compared to the people in the photos, not so sure it will be a three series, but what do I know.
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Jimbo 5:12PM (8/05/2009)
Looks sized to be a future 1-Series sedan, judging by the wheelbase (using 20" wheels as a reference) and the cutlines defining a very small rear door. Since BMW has a habit of showing styling concepts about a year before they enter production, that puts the timing about right for the styling to show up on the new 1-Series, not the 3-Series.
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Pablo 5:14PM (8/05/2009)
Could it be a German made EVO(jk)? This should be interesting to see next month.
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Jimbo 5:14PM (8/05/2009)
Actually, many of the lines match up with the sketch Protzenegger posted above for a 1-Series Supersport. So yeah, it's probably the 1-Series.
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B3nM4n 5:17PM (8/05/2009)
The first thing that came into my mind when i saw this, was the 316i
compact (1999 - 2000).
It really looks like it:
http://www.autoplenum.de/Bilder/P/p0000119/BMW/BMW-316i-compact---1999-2000-.jpg
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ipodrulz 5:17PM (8/05/2009)
Something about it reminds me of the Concept CS they've been talking bout.
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Art 5:21PM (8/05/2009)
knowing BMW's recent offerings, it'll be a roadster crossed with a SUV crossed with a Dodge Sprinter
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Motor_Yakuza 5:25PM (8/05/2009)
OMG, a new BMW that's not a crossover, i can't believe it. O_o
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Luis 5:27PM (8/05/2009)
I love the shape of the side rear window - even though it looks very A5-ish
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Andre 5:35PM (8/05/2009)
Umm isn't it a variation of this? Do you guys even keep tab on each other story?
http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/29/report-bmw-debuting-sustainable-sports-car-concept-in-frankfurt/
Apparently from the Earlier Autoblog article this car is loosely base on the BMW M1 Concept
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groundZ 5:42PM (8/05/2009)
Yeah my first thought was the M1 concept due to the color and low profile.
Can't anyone photoshop the tarp to be see through? Perverted people do it to clothed models all the time.
Salman Anjum 5:35PM (8/05/2009)
im liking this, it looks weird in a good way, like the way the cladding meets in the middle at the bottom
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