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Tweaked 3-series gets engine upgrades

The facelifted BMW 3-series coupé has been scooped testing 18 months ahead of its UK launch in autumn 2010.

As with most BMW mid-life facelifts, the changes are limited to subtle styling, spec and engine improvements.

Judging from this prototype, the most significant change is a revised front bumper, with repositioned foglights and revised brake cooling ducts. The twin-kidney grille also appears to have a flatter upper edge.

Although this car looks to have carry-over headlamps, Autocar sources suggest that the facelift will also feature revised lamp clusters.

Otherwise the styling is untouched, with the rear lights, rear bumper and side skirts all unchanged on this prototype.

The revisions are expected to carry over to the revised 3-series convertible, which will be launched at the same time as the new coupé.

Inside, the major change is expected to be the introduction of BMW’s revised iDrive controller, which features extra buttons clustered around the rotary knob for greater ease of use.

The engine line-up is expected to be unchanged, with four petrol engines and four diesels. The convertible won’t get the 335d unit.

Expect minor tweaks to the Efficient Dynamics tech to boost fuel economy, emissions and power and torque outputs.

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