BMW’s new 3-Series is poised to hit showroom floors shortly, and sometime in the near future a diesel model will join the 328 and 335 sedans in the North American market. There’s no exact timeframe or official release from BMW in regards to a diesel model, but a company insider has confirmed that one will be coming… just when is unknown.

It’s not a huge surprise that BMW wasn’t immediate on announcing a diesel option, given its new ActiveHybrid 3 that it surely wants to push to the public. The outgoing 3-Series’ 335d packed a 3.0L diesel inline-six with 265-hp and 425 lb-ft of torque. The assumption though is that the 3.0L won’t be finding its way into the new model, but perhaps a 2.0L four-cylinder diesel with 181-hp and 280 lb-ft of torque from the European 320d.

GALLERY: 2013 BMW 3 Series

[Source: Car and Driver]

At the LA Auto Show today, BMW announced pricing on their new 2013 3-Series. The 328i will start at $35,775 while the 335i will start at $43,275.

Even though the 2013 BMW 3-Series hasn’t yet hit North American soil – it will do so at the Detroit Auto Show on January 12th – they are more than excited for the new generation of their best seller.

As with any BMW, we would take the MSRP with a grain of salt. A couple of add-ons and luxury necessities and your final sum will be substantially higher.

GALLERY: 2013 BMW 3-Series Sedan

Snow or no snow, BMW will be braving the Detroit winter to show off the 2013 F30 3 Series in its public debut January 12.

The announcement comes after the initial debut earlier this month in Munich and reveals that there will be the standard and M Sport packages along with three new lines: sport, luxury and modern.

The exterior design is courtesy of Christian Weil, who also designed the 5 Series GT, while the interior comes from Christian Bauer who designed the current generation 6 Series coupe and convertible, ultimately offering a melting effect that shares features of both designers previous projects.

The exterior design builds on the pervious model’s rounded shaping but there’s a new face to look at. The headlights now stretch to the nose, just touching the grill, which also has a more pronounced and aggressive look borrowed from the 6 Series. The rear end will stay much the same, maintaining BMW’s L-shaped design.

The interior materials will vary based on trim level, but an instrument cluster tilted seven degrees towards the driver will add to the driver-oriented feeling of the car.

GALLERY: 2012 3 Series

[Source: BMWBlog.com]

We’ve already gotten the details on BMW‘s new 2013 3-Series sedan, but now we have plenty of videos to go along with the specs. BMW released 10 videos highlighting the upcoming sixth-generation 3-Series sedan, allowing us to check out BMW’s revamped bread-and-butter model inside and out.

The North American market will be seeing the new 3-Series by February 2012 and will get to choose between two engine options (2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder, 3.0L turbocharged inline-six) that can be mated to either a six-speed manual transmission or an eight-speed automatic. A hybrid model will arrive later. No pricing has been announced yet for the North American 3-Series, but we’re sure BMW will keep it competitive for its most popular model.

Check out all the videos after the break.

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The walls of BMW headquarters whispered rumors of a BMW 3 Series ActiveHybrid model, according to Autobild. If a 3 series hybrid is in the works, expect technologies from the big brother ActiveHybrid 7 series to be mated to BMW’s staple straight six engine. A compact electric motor will provide the hybrid with an additional 15-hp, with power supplied from a 120-volt lithium-ion battery pack. No word yet on when the hybrid will debut.

As for the rest of the upcoming F30 BMW 3 series line-up, the four cylinder turbo found in the Z4 sDrive28i will now be provided alongside the straight six.

It will be interesting to see what rumors of the hybrid 3 series hold true as more details leak in the coming months.

GALLERY: BMW F30 3-Series

[Source: Autobild]

BMW is recalling 241,000 3-Series models due to faulty tail lights. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has confirmed that certain 2002-2005 325i, 325xi, 330i and 330xi models built between September 1, 2001 and March 1 2005 may experience resistance in the electrical contacts of one or more rear lamp functions.

The resistance could eventually lead to the one or more rear lamp functions from working. That failure could reduce the ability to warn other motorists of the drivers intentions, potentially leading to an accident.

BMW dealers will repair the electrical components free of charge once the recall begins in October of this year. Concerned BMW owners may contact customer relations at 1-800-525-7417

Hyundai is continuing to enter new product segments, including upscale niche markets, but will continue to update lower priced models over the next three years. Three vehicles the Korean automaker wants to launch sometime soon include a dedicated plug-in hybrid sedan (a Prius rival), a sporty sedan to compete with the BMW 3-Series and more luxurious Veracruz SUV.

The Veracruz has become long-in-the-tooth and its sales are lacking. The mid-sized SUV will disappear after the 2012 model year but will return soon after in more luxurious and upscale form for 2014 model year, and will launch in early 2013.

Work is already underway on a sporty sedan to compete with the BMW 3-Series. Hyundai plans to use the rear-wheel drive platform seen in the Genesis and exterior styling is also expected to employ aggressive lines similar to the Gensis Coupe. Hyundai will likely launch this vehicle after 2013.

The plug-in sedan is expected to arrive either in the 2013 or 2014 model year but unfortunately details on this vehicle are insufficient. What is known, is that the hybrid will be an entirely new vehicle all together and will not be a variant of an existing model.

[Source: Autoweek]

Andy Goss, President of Jaguar Land Rover North America has bold plans for Land Rover to hit 50,000 U.S sales by 2012 and for Jaguar to reach the same goal within five years.

Land Rover sold 31, 864 units in 2010 and has sold 20,000 vehicles through July of 2011. ”Both brands have some similarities in the fact that we are planning for growth predicated on product introductions,” said Goss. With the new compact  Evoque added to the lineup, Goss feels the 50,000 mark is within the automakers reach. Jaguar will most likely have more trouble attaining the 50,000 unit goal, based on the fact that the automaker only sold 13,340 units in 2011. Jaguar hoping to up sales with help from a sports car that the brand is considering, which may debut as a concept at the Frankfurt auto show. Goss did not provide any details but noted that Jaguar needs a small sports car and a sedan to compete with the BMW 3-Series.

[Source: Automotive News]

In celebration of sponsoring the 2012 London Olympics, BMW has announced two new Performance Editions for the popular 1-Series and 3-Series. Inspired by their very own BMW London 2012 Performance Team, the Performance Edition models will feature M inspired body styling and accessories outfitted to the three-door and five-door 1-Series while the 3-Series Performance Edition will only be available on the sedan.

For the 1-Series, the Performance Edition features M aerodynamic bodystyling, 18-inch M wheels in a dark chrome finish, Shadowline exterior trim, dark chrome exhaust tips and dark line rear taillights. Giving the car a sportier ride and handling capabilities is M Sport Suspension while the inside receives Royal Blue stitching on the seats, an M Sport leather steering wheel and gearshift leaver and floor mats with Royal Blue piping. Of course on the exterior, the car will be representing its inspiration with London 2012 exterior badges.

The Performance Edition can be added for about $2,400 more than the equivalent ES model and pricing for the 116i Performance Edition three-door starts at around $31,125.

The 3-Series sedan receives a similar set of modifications, starting with the M aerodynamic body kit to the 18-inch wheels. Finishing off the exterior is a chrome exhaust tip and London 2012 badges. The interior features sport seats and floor mats with similar blue piping along with the M Sport leather steering wheel. With a little less modifications than the 1-Series offering, the 3-Series Performance Edition is only $800 more than the equivalent ES sedan. Pricing for the 318i Performance Edition sedan starts at a little under $40,000.

Either model is available in Alpine White, Titanium Silver, Bluewater and Black Sapphire colors and are currently on sale in the UK.

In addition to the London 2012-inspired models, BMW will be bringing several of their Efficient Dynamic diesel cars, hybrid and electric vehicles, bicycles and motorcycles to the London 2012 Games.

GALLERY: BMW 2012 London Performance Editions

BMW has unveiled a new M Sport tuning package for the 2012 3-Series alongside a special European Exclusive Edition package available for either the coupe or convertible.

The Exclusive Edition package keeps the classy styling the 3-Series intact, but adds 18-inch V-spoke wheels painted in Space Grey. In addition, customers will be treated to an exclusive exterior color, Mineral Grey, as an option, while the mirrors are finished in a contrasting Oxide Silver. For the interior of the Exclusive Edition, owners can opt to have the seats in an custom Pearl Grey with grey stitching or a black with white stitching package. Floor mats featured color-matched piping while the interior trim can be adorned with BMW’s Bamboo Grain Anthracite finish.

The more exciting news for those of use not in Europe is the new M Sport package. Popular amongst BMW enthusiasts, the M Sport package gives the 3-Series more aggressive M-inspired styling. The new M Sport package will include a new suspension, exclusive Silverstone paint and 18-inch Ferric Grey wheels. Those familiar with the M Sport package will also quickly recognize the black window trim and black-painted exterior mirrors.

The full body kit replaces the front bumper, side skirts and rear bumper, giving the 3-Series an all new look. The rear bumper features a rear diffuser and an M rear spoiler is optional. On the inside, the sport seats feature M detailing along with an M Sport steering wheel, stainless steel pedals and an M aluminum driver’s footrest.

GALLERY: BMW 3-Series Edition Exclusive and M Sport Edition

BMW is certainly rolling out a lot of special edition models lately. The Japanese have already seen the BMW X6 Performance Unlimited, while the Australians got the M3 Pure Edition and China got the M3 Tiger Edition. BMW has come back full circle by offering the Japanese market with another special edition vehicle, this time in the form of their popular E92 M3 dubbed Competition Package.

The exterior shade is the identical Fire Orange metallic shade as seen on the Chinese Tiger Edition M3. The car also features BMW’s 359M styling wheels, which are 19-inches in size and come in a black finish. Up front the air intake ducts on the hood are also painted black with a matching pair of kidney grilles. The rear exhaust receives some shiny chrome tips. The mirrors receive a carbon fiber cover while the interior is accessorized with carbon fiber trim throughout.

For the most part, it’s essentially the same as the China Tiger Edition M3, though there’s no word on how many will be produced for the Japanese market yet.

GALLERY: Japanese BMW M3 Competition Package

[Source: Autoevolution]

BMW will build a Gran Turismo version of the 3 Series, to follow the introduction of the 5 Series GT model. Offered as a high-performance 335i model at first with BMW’s 300hp, twin-turbocharged inline-six, the 3 Series GT will fill an odd space between the 3 Series sedan, Wagon, X3 SUV and X1.

Much like the 5 Series GT, it will feature a dual-stage hatchback, allowing owners access to either a small trunk area or to a much larger space as the rear glass hatch opens up. Cargo room should be close to that offered in the 3 Series wagon.

Both a four-seat and five-seat model are expected, as is a diesel variant. So far no M version is planned.

[Source: Edmunds]

[Photo Credit: Fox Syndication]