Reportedly set to carry the G01 internal designation, the newcomer, which will also be build in South Africa as a replacement for the 3-series, will make use of the same CLAR platform as the 5-and 7-series, resulting in a substantial weight drop of some 100 kg compared to the current F25.
In addition to being longer than its soon-to-be predecessor, the G01 will also feature a roomier interior and bigger boot, with in-car tech and driver assistance systems expected to be sharpened up significantly.
Power will meantime come from a range of revised petrol and diesel engines, as well as a plug-in hybrid likely to use the same 2.0-litre turbo petrol / electric motor setup as the 330e, 740e and X5 xDrive 40e. The highlight will however be the inclusion of an M40i performance model rumoured to produce 268 kW, and a full-on X3 M expected to use the same engine as the M3/M4 with as much as 294 kW on tap.
