New BMW sedan finally looking good.

The BMW post from yesterday with patent images that were probably, and hopefully, showing the production version of BMW’s upcoming i3 EV sedan. Today, we have illustrations of what the next-generation BMW 3 Series could look like. The 3 series will keep its gas powertrains for the next few years. The i3 will be an EV-only model.

The next generation is expected to use the same platform as the current 3 series. Which is what everyone is doing these days. Since all or most of the R&D money goes to new EV platforms. And yet, the current generation of gas cars is still more popular than previously expected. Most manufacturers don’t want to spend that much money on all new gas platforms. And BMW is no different…

Engines will be the same, too. The usual 3.0 Turbo 6 cylinder and the 2.0 Liter 4 cylinder will return for another few years. Which a few changes, like a 48V system, at least in Europe, where emission regulations will be tougher than over here. A PHEV is also expected, again mostly in Europe. With an EV range of over 60 miles.

If the patent images we saw yesterday really show the new i3, this new 3 series will look very tame by comparison. Which is too bad since it still looks like a vast improvement over the aging current design.

The “Neue Klasse” design, inspired by the concepts from a few years ago, is already doing wonders and really improving BMW designs that had recently fallen off the cliff into a vast ocean of vulgarity.

Most of the hype will probably be about the more futuristic i3 when both cars come out. But the new 3 series will also be quite an improvement.