Here are the first official pictures and details of the all-new BMW 3-series, revealed at a special event in Munich.

Known internally as the F30, the new 3-Series is new from the ground-up, has been four years in the making, and is tasked with continuing BMW’s dominance over key rivals like the Audi A4, Mercedes-Benz C-class and Volvo S60.

So thorough has the design and development been that BMW R&D chief Klaus Draeger, describes it as ‘BMW’s most ambitious engineering program to date’.

Visually, the new 3-series leans heavily on the latest 5-series in a bid to provide BMW’s two best-selling models with a more unified appearance. From the front, the two share a similar look that is continued along heavily structured sides to a high-set rear, which gives the new car a more wedge-shaped profile.

Engines are likely to be carried forward from the current model, albeit with improved efficiency and more power. BMW also plans to set up an engine plant in India, which should allow the carmaker to price the new 3-series more aggressively.

The Bavarian marque has plans for five further 3-series body styles: Touring, GT, coupé, convertible and GranCoupé. The last three will dispense with 3-series nomenclature for an all-new 4-series nameplate.

The car will be shown off at the Detroit motor show early next year and Indian sales are likely to commence soon after right-hand-drive versions are made available towards the middle of 2012. We expect the new 3-series to be out on our roads by the end of 2012, at a price range of Rs 22-35 lakh.

Watch this space for more on the new 3-Series.