3 series Coupe E91 Spy shots.

[Militant-Grunt]

FOLDING HARD TOP!!

BMW is preparing a number of new 3-series variants for launch within the next two years.

The most discussed newcomer is the 3-Series convertible, because talk was about the car having either a canvas or a steel top.

Here now are the latest prototype shots of the 3-Series convertible showing, that the next 3-Series Cabriolet will get a retractable steel roof plus different front end styling to make it look sportier.

The prototype’s roof is clearly visible. It has three parts which will fold into the boot when operated. The front and rear end of the convertible prototype are still under some disguise, but we have added this photo (seen below) from our files showing another prototype of the Coupe version revealing the new front end . While the Coupe is set to launch at the next Geneva Motor Show in March 2006, the convertible variant is only due a year later in 2007.

Power for the Coupe Convertible comes from a variety of six-cylinder engines ranging from 2.2 litre 180 HP to 3.0 litre 258 HP. The top of the line M3 will get a V8 4.0 litre engine delivering around 400 HP. Furthermore, three diesels will be available with performance ranging from 163 HP to 272 HP.

Source. German Car fans.

 

[Big Daddy]

Hmm hard to tell what she is going to wind up looking like. Does not look too bad, in fact I kind of like it. A retractable steel roof would be nice!

 

[deutsch100]

Pretty cool!! I can't believe how drastically different the headlight assembly is from the E90 sedan. The E46 had the basic same headlight design for both coupe & sedan. Folding hardtop is awesome...that was the one main plus in our 2003 SL500 we had...tons and tons of electronic gremlins, but having a folding hardtop was the best of both worlds.

 

[tazza0712]

Pretty cool!! I can't believe how drastically different the headlight assembly is from the E90 sedan. The E46 had the basic same headlight design for both coupe & sedan. Folding hardtop is awesome...that was the one main plus in our 2003 SL500 we had...tons and tons of electronic gremlins, but having a folding hardtop was the best of both worlds.

Too right, Adam. The hardtop will be mad, sorta makes buying a coupe redundant as you can have both the coupe and convertible in one car. I actually really like the E90 headlight design, I don't know about the spy-shot pics of the E91 headlights though... hmm, interesting at the very least.

I also thought BMW may have gotten rid of the B-Pillar like in the Mercedes CLK Coupe, but I guess it offers much greater structural rigidity and safety that BMW didn't want to part with. At any rate, looking forward to seeing its butt, I hope they do something mean with the tail light design!

 

[deutsch100]

Just thinking about those headlights on this E91 spy shot, and also the double kidney grill....They are completely different from the E90 Sedan. Would BMW make these 2 prominent features so radically different on the coupe and sedan? Won't this make the sedan look dated, even though it has only been out a few months? Seems like BMW is following Honda & Toyota and making changes every 6 months - 1 year. That sucks!!

I hope these pics are not the real car, because I think the headlights on the E90 look way better than this...the lights on the E91 look too small, slanty and "Japanese"- yuck. The kidney grill is nicer on this E91 spy coupe picture than the E90. I love the front of my car, but what's the deal with the thick "chrome lips" on top of the double kidneys?

 

[frolf]

this shot really disappoints me. the car looks drastically under-tired in the back. i'm hoping for some serious meat in back

i hope that at least make the car look more sporty than a damn chrysler sebring


^^^^all that coming from a guy who completely loves the e90

 

[epj3]

this shot really disappoints me. the car looks drastically under-tired in the back. i'm hoping for some serious meat in back

i hope that at least make the car look more sporty than a damn chrysler sebring


^^^^all that coming from a guy who completely loves the e90

you mean you would take wide rubber over runflats (which the entire suspension was designed around)? What are you some kind of bmw purist?

 

[Fwu]

the front looks awesome in my opinion.......somehow the car doesn't look aggressive enough tho

 

[Bmw 325i 7803]

I'll withold judgement till BMW debuts the car themselves...

 

[epj3]

I think it'll probably look very good. BMW will not build a wussy looking coupe.

 

[tazza0712]

I think it'll probably look very good. BMW will not build a wussy looking coupe.

I agree with Eric... BMW would be completely stupid if they didn't. Why mess with a recipe that works right?

 

[Bmw 325i 7803]

I agree with Eric... BMW would be completely stupid if they didn't. Why mess with a recipe that works right?

The E39 recipe worked... they made the E60 which everyone hated. It seems that cars don't have to look good anymore, so long as they have a prestigious name and a big powerful engine to rocket the car from 0-60 in under 6 seconds, they'll sell very well... Designs are subjective and individual opinions constantly change. I'm willing to bet that however BMW designs the new coupe it will grow on the consumer and result in car sales.

That first picture is photo chopped.

 

[///M SPEED]

Whether you like the looks of the new E90 or E60 you have to admit that the cars are very distinctive when driving down the road. You can spot a newer BMW quite well when driving around. They tend to have a distinctive look even if the looks of them are subjective to the viewer.

I like the looks of almost all the newer BMW models. Some more than others, but I don't think they are ugly at all. BMW must know what they are doing, because all the newer models are selling really well

 

[epj3]

Ew do all new 3 series have the turnsignals in the mirrors? That's kind of tacky IMO.

 

[epj3]

Whether you like the looks of the new E90 or E60 you have to admit that the cars are very distinctive when driving down the road. You can spot a newer BMW quite well when driving around. They tend to have a distinctive look even if the looks of them are subjective to the viewer.

I like the looks of almost all the newer BMW models. Some more than others, but I don't think they are ugly at all. BMW must know what they are doing, because all the newer models are selling really well

The new 5 is one of the easiest cars to spot from behind - the tail lights are VERY distinct (They are at an angle).

I'll admit I like all the new BMW's except the current 7 (looks anyways). They all grew on me and now I'm kind of bored with my car.

 

[DrivingTopless]

this shot really disappoints me. the car looks drastically under-tired in the back. i'm hoping for some serious meat in back

i hope that at least make the car look more sporty than a damn chrysler sebring


^^^^all that coming from a guy who completely loves the e90

Funny that you mention the Sebring as it has been recently been confirmed that the next generation Sebring will have a retractable hardtop too.

Not sure about that coupe picture though... something just looks "odd" about the headlights. Are those computer generated?

 

[epj3]

Funny that you mention the Sebring as it has been recently been confirmed that the next generation Sebring will have a retractable hardtop too.

Not sure about that coupe picture though... something just looks "odd" about the headlights. Are those computer generated?

Do you really think they will go around the roads testing a completely unannounced car without any kind of camo?

 

[Militant-Grunt]

Do you really think they will go around the roads testing a completely unannounced car without any kind of camo?

Yeah eric is right, look closely, you can clearly see its chopped.

 

[codex57]

While I like the folding hard top, I'm not a fan of the design. Doesn't look very sporty to me. I'd much prefer the styling of the sedan. <gasp>

 

[epj3]

While I like the folding hard top, I'm not a fan of the design. Doesn't look very sporty to me. I'd much prefer the styling of the sedan. <gasp>

Repeating myself.... it's under camo. they have metal wires sticking out with black bed sheets or something over them so you can't see the design of the car.