Our German spy photographer has snapped the clearest images yet of BMW's next-generation 3 Series.

According to the photographer, this 3 Series prototype has been doing the rounds for more than six months, but this is the first time we've managed to get a peek inside. Also, it appears to be trying out a new front bumper design.

The interior appears to follow an evolutionary design theme, with a similarly stacked central control layout. The big news is likely a move to more digital instrumentation (at the very least, part-digital/part-analogue) and the iDrive info-tainment screen seems both larger and more upright.

Interior doesn't appear to stray too far away from the current design.

It is way too early to start making definitive statements regarding the likely model line-up, but word from Europe is that the model designations will remain largely the same as they are currently. Based on the brand's new CLAR architecture, the areas of focus will apparently be; a longer wheelbase and wider track for more space, lower centre of gravity, lighter weight, adaptive suspension, switchable anti-roll bars, torque vectoring, OLED/Laser lighting and semi-autonomous driving technology.

Rumours suggest the 320i will get the new B46-coded 2.0-litre turbopetrol enginewhile the 340i is likely to be labelled the M340i.

Any new 3 Series is bound to make headlines, as it arguably remainsthe Munich-based firm's most importantmodel. This new, G20-designated model,is expected to be launched in 2018, and will reach South Africa shortly after international introduction.

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