SPY PICS: BMW 3 Series facelift

BMW's F30 generation of 3 Series is still a relative newcomer in the Australian market, but Munich is doing whatever it takes to keep its popular mid-sized car relevant and competitive in the post-W205 Benz C-Class era. 

The cars pictured here – a sedan and a Touring wagon courtesy of Automedia's spy photographers – are externally unchanged from the current model, barring only the restyled nose concealed behind BMW's patented paisley camouflage. 

What is the retro vinyl wrap hiding? How about a new bumper and airdam with revised air intakes? According to Automedia, the updated 3 Series will also offer full LED headlights as an option. These will replace the xenon lamps currently available. 

If the facelift is outwardly pretty lame, there will be more going on underneath the sheet metal – starting with new drivetrain options. These include 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol and diesel engines that will find their way under the bonnets of MINI as well as most of the BMW passenger car range up to and including 5 Series and i8, but not necessarily the X models. 

Additionally, the updated 3 Series will score new driver assistance systems and Traffic Jam Assist from the 5 Series. 

It's the least BMW can do with the new C-Class arriving in Australian showrooms from later this month – and a new Audi A4 expected within 18 months.

–  with Automedia