For the sixth generation, the coupé and convertible models were spun off to create the new BMW 4 Series nameplate.

[11] The F30 sedan debuted at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show in March 2012[12] and was the first of the sixth generation 3 Series models to go on sale.

[17] The wagon/estate body style (marketed as "Touring")[18] was unveiled at the 21st Auto Mobil International held at Leipzig in 2012.

The Gran Turismo body style was discontinued for the following generation, the G20 3 Series as it proved to be unsuccessful in terms of sales.

The vehicle was produced in BMW's Shenyang production plant, and has chrome trim on the doors to distinguish it from the regular F30 sedans.

[34] The styling is similar to previous generations with a sweeping bonnet, short front overhang, and long wheelbase.

Tail lamps also sport a wide "L" shape design seen in many BMW models.

These include sport brakes for 18 inch and higher wheels, side skirt ground effects, black kidney grilles and carbon fibre mirrors.

Based on the 335i Sedan, the ActiveHybrid 3 includes a 40 kW (54 hp) synchronous electric motor, bringing the total system output to 250 kW (335 hp),[48] with a lithium-ion battery positioned underneath the luggage area and a 2-zone climate control system with stationary air conditioning.

The maximum all-electric driving range is 4 km (2.5 mi), with a top speed of 75 km/h (47 mph).

[49][50] The BMW ActiveHybrid 3 was unveiled at the North American International Auto Show in January 2012.

The first units were registered in Europe by late 2015 and North American sales began in 2016.

[53] The United States EPA rated the 2016 BMW 330e energy consumption in all-electric mode at 47 kWh per 100 miles, which translates into a combined city/highway fuel economy of 72 miles per gallon gasoline equivalent (MPG-e) (3.3 L/100 km petrol equivalent), but only 14 miles all-electric range (Real world electric range under normal driving conditions mix of highway and city in eco mode is approximately 24km).

When powered only by the petrol engine, EPA's official combined city/highway fuel economy is 31 mpg‑US (7.6 L/100 km).

[76][77] The sedan and wagon models were produced in Germany (Munich and Regensburg), South Africa (Rosslyn, up until 2018),[78] India (Chennai),[79] China (Shenyang)[80] and Brazil (Araquari).

Local assembly of complete knock-down (CKD) kits was used for cars sold in Egypt,[82] Indonesia,[83] Malaysia,[84] Russia and Thailand.