AT FIRST glance, the new BMW 3-Series for next year suggests that the German maker of much-desired cars has lost its eye for glamour.

The two pictures shown here (above, left) hint at a car with a top-heavy style, more of a utilitarian plodder than the sleek executive express we have come to expect.

BMW's stylists say simply that their cars for 2002 have been 'subtly restyled'. The bonnet gives the cars a wider, squatter, more muscular look, increased by a wider kidney grille and new round headlamps.

Front lights now incorporate clear-lens indicators, and both saloon and estate get a new front bumper.

But BMW styling needs to be backed up by solid, sensible engineering, and all five 3 Series models get a new two-litre four-cylinder engine built in Warwickshire which features the maker's 'valvetronic' system for controlling air supply.

The result is an engine which produces 21 per cent more power, 11 per cent more torque and a similar improvement in fuel economy.

The small 318i produces 143bhp, with a top speed of 135mph and 0-62mph in 9.3 seconds.

Yet it promises 39.2 miles on a gallon, which it claims is up to 15 per cent more economical than its competitors.

Spectacular

If you're still not convinced, maybe you'll be more impressed by the larger and more spectacular Beamers still to come.

A new 7 Series the big model for top directors is already on the way.

And now an all-new 6 Series (above right) has been revealed. It won't appear for nearly two years, but the 6 Series will be a sleek and lightweight coupe.

It will also be a car for all people a cabriolet variant will be a rival to both the Jaguar XK8 and Mercedes' SL.

Another exciting coupe (also above right) is on the way from a more unlikely maker Nissan.

The one-time Japanese marque now a partner of Renault and with a major manufacturing base in Sunderland has not been known as a style leader for exciting cars.

But with a sleeker Primera and a new Micra already on the way, Nissan has now revealed its new GT-R.

Though its arrival in Europe is still two years away, the car will be powered by a tuned 3.5-litre V6 engine which develops 400bhp.