New BMW 3 Series imminent

The BMW 3 Series has been the German luxury brand's best-selling model for decades, so the unveiling of the all-new seventh generation is a big deal.

The wraps will come off the redesigned (G20) BMW 3 Series in the early hours of next Wednesday (October 3) Australian time at the 2018 Paris motor show, where the new design will finally be exposed after weeks of teasers.

Expected to arrive in Australia in March or April 2019 after the international launch in November, the new BMW 3 Series will again lock horns with the just-launched new-look Mercedes-Benz C-Class and Audi A4, as well as the Alfa Romeo Giulia, Infiniti Q50, Jaguar XE and Lexus IS.

Aussie pricing won't be known until closer to local launch, but as a guide the current sixth-generation BMW 3 Series sedan is pegged between $63,400 and $146,529, for the 320i and M3 Competition respectively.

Based on the same CLAR platform that underpins many of its siblings, such as the 5 Series and 7 Series sedans and X3, X4, X5 and upcoming X6 and X7 SUVs, the 2019 BMW 3 Series will be lighter and stiffer than before.

It will also incorporate the same fully digital instrument display as seen in the new X5, plus an array of new semi-autonomous driving aids.

There'll be improved levels of luxury and convenience inside the car and, as the latest in a series of teaser shots have shown, the exterior design will be a little edgier than before, including striking brake lights influenced by the new BMW Z4.

The new BMW 3 Series will likely get changes to its powertrain offerings and there will be plenty of speculation about the next-generation BMW M3 high-performance model too – specifically whether it will bring some level of electrification.

Longer, wider and lower than before, the new mid-size Beemer sedan will retain a 50:50 weight distribution and is expected to be more agile and fun to drive than before, with specially tuned M suspension available as an option.

While the BMW 3 Series has historically been BMW's cash cow and therefore its most important model, a global surge in demand for SUVs may soon relegate the 3 Series down the importance scale.

Aussies clearly love their SUVs more than traditional passenger cars, because thus far in 2018 the BMW 3 Series has been outsold by the X3 and the X1 has come within striking distance too.

BMW Australia's total sales for 2018 to end of August were down almost four per cent, from 17,000 to 16,352. The arrival of the new X5 in late November 2018 and the new 3 Series early next year should boost the brand's fortunes, which have fared better internationally.

BMW posted a record global sales tally in 2017 with 2.09 million cars – more than Audi's 1.88 million but less than Mercedes-Benz's 2.29 million, which made it the world’s most popular German luxury brand.