Several major automakers have pulled out of this year’s Paris Auto Show, including Lamborghini, Alfa Romeo, Ford, Volkswagen and Volvo, to name a few. While significantly fewer automakers will be attending this year’s show, there are still some debuts to look forward to. Rumor has it Porsche has chosen the Paris Auto Show as the venue to unveil the all-new 991.
BMW was also expected to drop out, but a company spokesperson confirmed to us this won’t be the case. In fact, the Bavarian automaker confirmed it will be premiering a brand-new model at the French auto show. We initially thought the world premiere will be the new X5, but the SUV has already been revealed online several months before the show. That just leaves the new 3 Series.
BMW hasn’t confirmed when it will debut, but a preview written by CarMagazine explicitly states BMW’s new sports sedan will break cover at the Paris in October. It would certainly make sense considering camouflaged prototypes have been spotted undergoing testing as BMW continues finetuning one of its most important new model launches.
Thanks to BMW’s CLAR architecture, the new 3 Series will be lighter and larger than previous models. Don’t expect it to look drastically different to the current model, however. Based on spy shots, it looks a lot like a shrunken 5 Series. It will inherit its larger sibling’s new massive Kidney Grille, as well as LED headlights and restyled taillights.
In terms of powertrains, the range-topping M340i xDrive is expected to launch with a 3.0-liter turbocharged engine that produces 380 horsepower. A next-generation M3 will also eventually join the range, which has also been spotted in prototype form in recent months.
According to Car Magazine, Audi will also be showing off the Allroad version of the new A6 at the 2018 Paris Auto Show, which will receive Quattro all-wheel drive and lifted suspension.
