2022 BMW 3 Series facelift shown in official photo – G20 LCI gets slimmer headlamps, same grille size

2022 BMW 3 Series facelift shown in official photo – G20 LCI gets slimmer headlamps, same grille size

Well, the cat is out of the bag, and in a rather muted fashion too – BMW has very quietly released the first photo of the facelifted G20 BMW 3 Series with the announcement of the electric i3 eDrive35L (not to be confused with the soon-to-be-discontinued city car) for the Chinese market. This gives us our first proper look of what the updated sports sedan will look like, after a year of spyshots and renders.

As you can see, the new styling is an evolution over the outgoing model‘s, retaining many of the same elements. The biggest differences are the slimmer headlights, which feature inverted L-shaped LED daytime running lights and have a straight edge at the bottom, ditching the Peugeot-like “claw” design of old.

The signature double kidney grille (which is closed-off on this electric model) is more angular than before but remains largely the same size – those of you petrified the 3er will get the 4 Series‘ big nostril look can breathe a sigh of relief.

2022 BMW 3 Series facelift shown in official photo – G20 LCI gets slimmer headlamps, same grille size

The rear of the i3 was leaked last December

The bumper has also been re-profiled with sharper contours, a much larger U-shaped centre air intake and the jettisoning of the NACA duct-style corner air inlets, making the standard car look more like the pre-facelift M Sport. From our understanding, the M Sport model will get a more aggressive front fascia with an even bigger central inlet and L-shaped bumper corners, as shown in last year’s render.

Along the side, you can also spot the new Air Breather vents and the “hockey stick” graphic that emerges from it, although that might be exclusive to the i3. No images of the rear were shown but you can expect the 3 Series to get a redesigned rear bumper but retain the same L-shaped taillights, as was hinted at in leaked photos of the i3 in China in December.

As yet, there are no details beyond initial specifications of the i3 eDrive35L model. However, the regular 3 Series should receive a large widescreen display panel linked to the latest BMW Operating System 8, as per the i4. The current range of three-, four- and six-cylinder engines will also likely soldier on, possibly augmented with a new mild hybrid system to match the latest W206 Mercedes-Benz C-Class.

GALLERY: G20 BMW 3 Series spyshots with M Performance Parts

Looking to sell your car? Sell it with Carro.

Certified Pre-Owned - 1 Year Warranty

10% discount when you renew your car insurance

Compare prices between different insurer providers and use the promo code 'PAULTAN10' when you make your payment to save the most on your car insurance renewal compared to other competing services.

Car Insurance

Jonathan Lee

After trying to pursue a career in product design, Jonathan Lee decided to make the sideways jump into the world of car journalism instead. He therefore appreciates the aesthetic appeal of a car, but for him, the driving experience is still second to none.

 

Comments

  • seancorr on Mar 31, 2022 at 3:51 pm

    Nice rear. Front lower bumper design doesn’t look that good though. Need to see the M sport version.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
    • Celup King on Mar 31, 2022 at 6:31 pm

      Rear looks like new Honda City. BMW makes cars look cheap.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 13
      • Celup brain on Mar 31, 2022 at 9:27 pm

        It’s the other way round la. City copied 3 series

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 12 Thumb down 1
        • Spin Too Much on Apr 01, 2022 at 12:45 am

          City came out first lahhh

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 7
          • That’s mean you didn’t find out when City and 3 Series launch first? 3 Series launched in 2018 and City launched in 2019

            3 Series: https://paultan.org/2018/10/02/g20-bmw-3-series-officially-revealed-up-to-55-kg-lighter-with-new-engines-suspension-technologies/

            City: https://paultan.org/2019/11/25/2020-honda-city-officially-debuts-in-thailand/

            Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 0
      • Celup S hai on Apr 02, 2022 at 10:48 am

        BMW on market first. It’s the city that copy cat but without the macho style and width it looks so weird. Every time I saw a city beside a 3er it just make me laugh, look at the pathetic copied style little box beside the real thing. So embarrassed. I’ll not buy such heavily copied design car.vios better

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 1
  • ExNoKia Fan on Apr 01, 2022 at 12:52 am

    Very sad to see angel eye headlamp is gone already…. I assume kidney grill will follow very near soon.
    New design evolution make BMW look cheaper, and endless problematic car engine added more headache…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 4
    • It is time to move on….Why still staying at the boring stage. New design is brand new and more fresh. The more you look at it everyday, the more you will get used to it

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
  • Why does EVs have to be uglier than their ICE counterpart?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
  • Preface on Apr 02, 2022 at 10:50 am

    I think the current pre facelift headlamp with a fin look more special and stylish and looks younger too.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
 

Add a comment

required

required