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Here is everything you need to know about the new BMW 3 Series. The F30 model is the sixth generation and will continue the tradition set in 1975 and continue to be built at BMW’s headquarters in Munich.

This is the largest 3 Series yet and when you scroll through the 100+ images below we won’t be surprised if you mistake the new car for an F10 5 Series a few times. The distinctive headlight design on the 3 Series is a new look for BMW, of course, but the widened kidney grille strongly resembles the 5er.

Overall, we think the new 3 Series looks really good. Perhaps the bonnet has one crease too many, that aside BMW’s designers have allowed the company’s most important model to evolve its look. There’s a clear link to the past, balanced by a strong step forward. This is especially the case inside the new 3 Series. It’s still typically teutonic, but now has a bit more interest thanks to a new layout and increased use of mixed materials.

The F30 will go on sale worldwide in mid-February next year, launching with the Sport Line, Modern Line and Luxury Line. An M Sport package and ActiveHybrid will follow later in 2012.

Naturally, the 3 Series retains its rear-wheel drive configuration and will, for the first, time have the option of being coupled to an 8-speed automatic transmission. A 50:50 weight distribution provides a platform for balanced handling.

Two petrol and two diesel turbocharged engines will be on offer at launch. The 328i has a 180kW/350Nm 2.0 litre four cylinder and can reach 100km/h in 5.9 seconds. Fuel consumption is rated at 6.4l/100km. Topping the specs is the 335i which features a 3.0 litre six cylinder producing 225kW/400Nm. You’ll knock off 100km/h in 5.5 seconds with your foot planted and sip fuel at 7.9l/100km if you back off.

Entry level diesel power is offered in the 320d EfficientDynamics Edition, to the tune of 120kW/380Nm. Acceleration is very acceptable, needing only 8.0 seconds to reach 100km/h and fuel consumption on the combined cycle is just 4.1l/100km. If you want to reach 100km/h in 7.5 seconds while relying on diesel power you’ll need the plain old 320d model. Fuel use rises slightly to 4.5l/100km.

Towards the end of 2012 the 3 Series ActiveHybrid will be launched. It will use the 225kW 3.0 litre six cylinder petrol engine found in the 335i coupled with an electric motor that can boost power by up to 40kW. Somehow, though, BMW say maximum combined power available is 250kW, while peak torque is 450Nm. Should be an interesting car that one.

There is much more for you after the break, in the form of 2000px super sized images, video and press material. Right at the end of the article you can download 65 pages of guff with thanks to BMW.

We’d love to hear your thoughts on the F30 as well, so please share your thoughts in the comments section.

While we wait for images of the new BMW F30 3 Series to become available here’s a few official videos to help you become acquainted with BMW’s most important and highest selling model. BMW’s designers are on hand to provide commentary as well.

BMW has today launched its new F30 3 Series range. The sixth generation 3er will go on sale across the globe on 11 February next year.

The new 3 Series is 93mm longer than the previous model and its wheelbase has increased by 50mm. In line with the growing dimensions the front track is now 37mm wider, while the rear has expanded by 47mm. Pleasingly, overall weight has dropped by 40kg.

The F30 debuts a new face for BMW. New headlight styling now extends to a widened version of the famous kidney grille. We reckon it looks pretty good, too.

BMW will offer the new 3 Series in three trim/equipment levels: Sport Line, Luxury Line and Modern Line. Munich claims the F30 is the first car in the mid-size premium segment to offer an 8-speed automatic. A colour head-up display is also featured.

At launch BMW will provide a choice from four turbocharged engines; get used to the term TwinPower Turbo technology as we’re going to hear it a lot from now on. There’s be two diesel engines, an inline six cylinder and a four cylinder. The 3 Series will also be offered in all-wheel drive and hybrid models in the future.

There’s a couple of teaser pics for you now and some images from the live webstream are shown below. Official pics to follow after BMW’s press website regains its sanity.

BMW Australia believes the new 1 Series can match the performance of the all-conquering Volkswagen Golf GTI. Speaking at the recent launch of the F20 1 Series, BMW’s Toni Andreevski said, “We want to price [an upcoming 1-Series model] it as a Golf GTI competitor. It will have Golf GTI-rivalling performance.”

At initial launch the 118i is, on paper, the closest match to the GTI. With just 125kW on tap it is 30kW down on power, which translates in a 0-100km/h time 0.5 seconds slower than the GTI. However, BMW say they have a new 160kW 1er powered by a 2.0 litre turbocharged engine on the way which they expect will tempt buyers away from Volkswagen.

In order to help make that case more compelling they will sharpen their pencils. Helping to offer a competitive price they will cut out some expensive equipment options.

“We are looking at more of our performance models in the 1-Series hatch and bringing them in a lot more sharply priced,” says Andreevski.

“You’ll see from us a lot flatter price structure [in future]. We want to communicate the performance of the car and let the customer choose [what options they want]. It’s all about being more customer focused.”

So, if you were in the market for a hot hatch would you pick the 1 Series hatch over a similarly priced GTI. Or would you choose another hot hatch altogether?

[Source: Drive]