2012 BMW 3-series to be showcased this September at Frankfurt?

The grandfather of BMW mid-ranged cars, the 1500, was launched at the Frankfurt IAA exactly fifty years ago, in 1961. The car garnered much appreciation from both the public and the press. Indeed, at the 40th IAA show, the waiting time for the public to see the 1500 was half an hour. Furthermore, a German car magazine praised the car for its "agreeable seating position, excellent visibility and nimble handling."

BMW have been publicly celebrating the anniversary of the 1500 in an enthusiastic manner. It is for this reason that I speculate the showcase of the F30 3-series at Frankfurt this coming September.

What better way to mark the 50th anniversary of this landmark vehicle than launch the seventh generation of BMW's most successful model, the 3-series?

BMW's first mid-range car for the middle-class market was launched with an innovative 1.5 litre, four-cylinder unit with an output of 80hp, this was a further 5hp more than was originally cited however due to an increase in compression ratios, a higher output was achieved. BMW continue this pioneering tradition today with what is rumored to be 2.0 litre twin-turbo petrol engine producing over 170 hp in the upcoming model.

This story will continue as more details are released.

Photos courtesy of BMW AG.