BMW 3-Series news - Threefreshed - 2008

Hot on the big, bulbous heels of last week's new 7-Series, BMW has unveiled the first pictures of its facelifted 3-Series, due to arrive in the UK next year.

Carrying over a bunch of the styling cues from the big ol' 7, the new 3 gets a fatter front bumper, revised headlights and new wing mirrors - which, of course, you'd already spotted. Round the back are new tail lights above - on the six-cylinder variants - a wider track.

We're most impressed by the sharpened estate - further proof that big boots are a good thing.

BMW has introduced a bunch of revisions to the 3's greasy bits, too. Most significant is the roll-out of the new seven-speed dual-clutch transmission - already seen on the M3 convertible - to the rest of the range. The 318d is now available with a six-speed auto' tranmission, too.

BMW says it has also simplified the iDrive control system - which we'll believe when we see it - and has announced further details of its forthcoming 'BluePerformance' brand: a green, diesel option set to compete with Mercedes' BlueTec. Next year we'll see a BluePerformance 330d which will meet forthcoming EU6 emissions regulations.

All of which is near-guaranteed to retain the 3-Series' popular-as-EPO-on-the-Tour-de-France status amongst the British public.