News regarding the release of coupe, convertible and wagon variants will soon follow after the release of the all-new BMW 3-series.

Although the wagon is a less popular choice for 3-series purchasers in North America, sources confirmed that the wagon, known as the BMW 3-series Touring, will make it to our shores eventually. There was some speculation that it might not, after BMW dropped the 5 Series Touring in North America in favor of the 5 Series GT. That vehicle has subsequently been a flop and BMW is looking to reintroduce the 5er wagon to the U.S.

No date has been set, but the new 3 Series Touring will be available in Europe late 2013. Coupe and Convertible variants will be released later as well, while the outgoing E92 coupes are to be sold alongside the new sedan until replacements arrive. Rumors have suggested the coupe and convertible models could wear the ’4 Series’ badge.

In addition, BMW has hinted that the 3 Series diesel may return to the U.S. as well. A 335d wagon? Now wouldn’t that be nice!

GALLERY: 2012 BMW 3 Series

[Source: Autoblog]

While the BMW 3-Series diesel  never really took off in the North American market, diesel powered Bimmers make up about 50 percent of European 3-Series sales, and the brand reports similar numbers for the X5 in North America.

BMW USA execs admit that there’s still an issue of convincing customers regarding how well modern diesels operate, but also said that oil-burners may be crucial to meeting future CAFE standards. While this left the door open for a diesel 3-Series, BMW USA has ruled out a 3-series wagon, stating that volumes would be so minimal that it would be difficult to justify selling it Stateside.

Ian Robertson, BMW’s head of sales and marketing, also derided the auto industry’s obsession with cylinder count and displacement, stating that BMW’s forthcoming nomenclature would reflect performance rather than the actual displacement – the new 328i, for example, would actually use a 2.0L turbocharged 4-cylinder rather than a 2.8L 6-cylinder engine.

[Source: Inside Line]

The 2013 BMW 3-Series, codenamed the F30, was revealed today by BMW, and the most noteworthy change is the first four-cylinder engine for North America since the 318i of the late 1990′s.

So far, we know that the 328i will pack a 4-cylinder turbo displacing 2.0L and putting out 245 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. Peak torque will come at just 1,250 rpm, an astoundingly low figure that should translate into excellent real world acceleration. The 335i will put out 306 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. An 8-speed automatic or 6-speed manual will be available, and BMW even claims that the 335i is capable of 32.6 mpg on the highway.

The car is slightly larger (3.6″ longer overall, about 2 inches longer in wheelbase and slightly wider front and rear tracks) but sheds 88 pounds of weight, while a hybrid and M-Sport version will also be offered.

Gallery: BMW 3-Series

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

Make way for the new winners! Let’s give the Saab 9-5 and the Volkswagen CC three cheers for earning their places as IIHS Top Safety Pick award winners.

Earning good ratings for performance in the Institute’s roof strength test for rollover protection, these luxury vehicles also brought in good ratings for front, side, and rear crash protection, and both come standard with electronic stability control. It’s interesting to note that Top Safety Pick only applies to the front-wheel drive Volkswagen CC – that’s because the heavier all-wheel drive version only rated acceptable in the roof strength test.

Taking the test this time around were eight midsize to large family and luxury cars, but only the 9-5 and CC came out on top. The 2011 Lexus ES 350 earned a good rating for rollover protection, but didn’t get an award because it didn’t make the grade when it came to rear crash protection. Other contenders that earned acceptable ratings for rollover protection were the BMW 3 series, Chevrolet Impala (models built after July 2010), Infiniti G, Lexus IS 250/350, and Saab 9-3.

[Source: IIHS]

Brand equity can take decades to build up. It’s the sign of a business model that worked and has continued to work. So when you’ve got a name like the Big Mac you don’t just toss it aside. That is, unless you’re BMW. A new report suggests the German automaker will re-badge its 3 Series as the 4 Series.

Surely the folks from Bavaria haven’t lost all their German sensibilities you must be asking yourself? And you’d be right. The 3 Series sedan will in fact carry on badge. The coupe and convertible models will, however, become 4 Series models.

This fits with BMW’s 5 Series and 6 Series division, plus it apes similar badging strategies by Audi, with the A4/A5 and Mercedes-Benz with the C-Class/E-Class Coupe.

In addition, BMW will also adjust its numbering system for the 1 Series. As has been reported in the past, the hatchback models will retain the 1 Series badge (and will likely only be front-wheel drive), while the next-generation 1 Series coupe and convertible will instead be 2 Series versions.

A carefully thought out marketing strategy perhaps, but has BMW tossed out one good brand in the process? What about the M3?

[Source: CAR]

BMW will expand its Chinese joint venture with local automaker Brilliance, in an effort to build 300,000 cars per year in China. BMW’s joint venture near Beijing currently builds the 3-Series and 5-Series, and will add the X1 crossover in 2012.

Plans call for new factories dedicated to vehicle assembly, stamping and a paint shop. These plants will be good for an additional 200,000 units according to BMW.

With China now serving as BMW’s third largest market, expanding domestic production makes sense for the brand, with BMW Chaiman Norbert Reithofer noting that “BMW vehicles are very popular in China. We anticipate that this growth will continue in the future.”

[Source: Inside Line]

The BMW 335d was voted “Diesel Car of the Year” at the New York Auto Show, by readers of The Diesel Driver magazine.

Diesel gets its own magazine? You better believe it, buddy, and those fans are pretty influential—the 335 beat out 12 other cars and SUVs who make their diesels available in the United States, with factors ranging from performance, comfort and emissions to that all-important fuel economy. The 335 received 29.6 percent of the votes; 83% of total votes came Stateside.

“The 335d truly is changing the way Americans feel about diesel,” said Paul Ferraiolo, BMW manager of product planning and strategy. “Fans of ‘The Diesel Driver’ share our passion for the great performance and efficiency of our BMW Advanced Diesels. They are the embodiment of BMW EfficientDynamics.”

BMW is planning to expand its range yet again, with reports of an upcoming 4-Series lineup that would compete against the Audi A5 Sportback in the burgeoning sporty hatchback segment.

Rumors have been flying about a possible 3-Series GT, a complement to the crossover-like 5-Series GT (shown above), but this may in fact be part of the supposed 4-Series models, which would include a coupe, sedan and even a convertible.

For now, the rumors are merely conjecture, and any vehicle wouldn’t arrive until 2013 at the earliest, but with the German marques making such a push to fill every possible niche market, count this one as more likely to happen than not.

[Source: BMWBlog]

Jaguar may have rejected the Bertone B99 concept from Geneva, but the company is still keen on taking the BMW 3-Series for a right trouncing. And the name they’ve picked for this smaller Jag is—drumroll, please—the XS.

It doesn’t stand for “extra small” either: Jaguar says the name is an evolution of the X-Type, their last misguided shot at taking on the C-Class/A4/3-Series segment. Sure. Details are slim, and Jaguar hasn’t announced anything other than taking on the project without the help of Bertone.

[Source: 4 Wheels News]

The Cadillac ATS is a crucial product for GM’s luxury division, a car aimed squarely at the BMW 3-Series, and Cadillac is hoping to come out with a full line of models to give buyers an alternative to the German compact luxury cars.

One noticeable difference will be among the convertibles, as the ATS will not offer a folding hardtop like the 3-Series, but a less expensive soft top. Also being discussed is a turbocharged V6 in place of the familiar GM 6.2L Supercharged V8. The V6 was originally developed jointly with Fiat for use in Alfa Romeo cars and would have to be re-oriented to be used with a rear-drive application.

[Source: Motor Trend]

Think the $41,400 sticker price for a BMW 335i is bad? Be glad you don’t live in Singapore where the same model will run you $260,000, about what an Italian exotic would retail for in the United States.

Singapore residents who want a private vehicle must pay for a special permit that allows them to keep the car for a decade – the permit alone costs $55,000 USD,  as much as a Porsche Boxster would in America. In 2008, the permit cost about $2,000. On top of that, buyers must pay a 150% duty on the vehicle upon importation. Not surprisingly, car ownership rates in Singapore sit at around 15%, compared to 82% in the United States.

Singapore is ruled by an authoritarian regime (famous for outlawing chewing gum in the name of etiquette and cleanliness), and is strongly pushing for residents to adopt mass transit as a practical solution to reduce congestion, and cut down pollution. While Singapore boasts outstanding air quality, it fears that it could become similar neighboring islands like Hong Kong, which has fewer restrictions on vehicle ownership but is riddled with heavily polluted air.

The structures in place leave car ownership as a privilege for the wealthy, and car dealers are now looking to peddle premium brands to the wealthy, since they are largely unaffected by an increase in ownership costs. “The extra $20,000 to S$30,000 on the [new vehicle permit] is nothing when the total car price is $300,000 or more,” one dealer told Bloomberg. No wonder that companies like Lamborghini do well in the tiny Asian country, with a special preview for their upcoming LP-7004 Aventador being held exclusively for that market.

[Source: Bloomberg via Zero Hedge]

When life gives you lemons, make lemonade. Mate Rimac decided to follow that old saying, revolutionizing his 1986 BMW 3-Series after popping the motor during a track day in Croatia.

Instead of giving up on the car, or just shoving in another power plant, Rimac had a crazy idea: “I pulled the engine out of the car, looked at the empty space under the bonnet and wondered what to put in there,” he said. “And then it hit me. I’ll make an electric racecar.”

And what an electric racecar? Rimec’s creation boasts 900-hp.

It’s become a two-year project for Rimac and his company, VST Conversions, with the car being powered by 300 lithium-iron phosphate cells in a battery pack, providing a range of roughly 110 miles.

Helping churn out the 900-hp is a DC motor designed by VST with a possible top speed of 174 mph. Rimac has further plans on developing the car to become faster and lighter and has set a goal of developing a 1,088-hp electric supercar by 2012.

[Source: Wired]

Check out the video of the BMW after the break.

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BMW has always been known for their trademark inline-6 engines, but the recent industry-wide trend of downsizing has led to BMW adopting turbocharged four-cylinder engines as an alternative to smaller, naturally aspirated I6 engines in the name of efficiency.

First to get the turbo-4 treatment is the X1 small crossover, although Jim O’Donnell, head of BMW USA, said that more are on their way. Likely candidates for this engine are the 3-Series and Z4, whose rivals, like the Mercedes-Benz C-Class, SLK and Audi A4 and A5 already offer a turbo 4-cylinder as the base engine. The X3 could also be a candidate, as Audi’s Q5 shares the same 2.0T engine and doesn’t seem to fare any worse than its 6-cylinder siblings.

Expect an announcement at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November. With the X1 hitting 60 mph in about 6 seconds while returning a smidge under 30 mpg on the European highway cycle, we’re pretty optimistic that these new BMW four-bangers will be just fine.

[Source: MotorAuthority]

In a move that would have been unthinkable in the last decade, but is hardly surprising in this era, BMW has announced that it is abandoning factory support for the World Touring Car Championship.

The move comes after BMW’s  withdrawl from Formula 1 at the end of the 2009 season, and a change in management at BMW Motorsport. BMW will still offer the 320 TC to independent teams, leaving Chevrolet and Volvo as the only factory-supported outfits in the series.

BMW will still support European endurance racing with their M3 and Z4 programs, as well as an upcoming DTM effort, a WRC team for its MINI division and driver development programs.

Hit the jump to see the official press release

[Source: BMW]

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Bill Caswell, who famously campaigned a $500 BMW 318i in an FIA-sanctioned rally event, will be bringing his car to SEMA – and turning it into a Baja style off road racer.

The build will take place over the course of the SEMA show, with the roll cage on day 1,the suspension on day 2, rear suspension on day 3, and items like the front brush guard, fuel cell, light bar and final roll cage work on day 4. The car will then compete in the SCORE Baja 1000′s Sportsman class.

Hit the jump to watch a video of the Baja BMW

[Source: Carscoop]

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Infiniti‘s entry-level G25 sedan will go on sale this in October with a starting price of $31,825, $1325 less than a BMW 328i. An all-wheel drive G25x will start at $34,825. In between the two will be a G25 Journey, priced at $33,225.

Available only with a 7-speed automatic, the G25 will serve as the base model G sedan, but come with much of the premium equipment that the G37 does, including leather upholstery, aluminum trim, power seats, a premium stereo and XM satellite radio.

While the G37 offers BMW 335i rivaling performance, the truth is that most people don’t need this level of performance, and a less power, but still generously equipped sedan will serve them quite well.

[Source: Infiniti]

BMW motorcycles have traditionally been known for their boxer engines, featuring horizontally opposed cylinders and lots of torque. Now BMW is looking to inject some of their automotive DNA into their motorcycle program by developing an Inline -6 cylinder engine for their K Series cruiser bikes.

Displacing 1,649cc and putting out 158 horsepower and 129 lb-ft of torque, the engine should be enough to propel the big K1600 around your favorite cruising spots, and with 71% of the torque available by 1,800 rpm, it should do well in city traffic too.

Perhaps the most interesting part of this story is that BMW’s car division is actively trying to downsize their engine range, with four and even three cylinder engines being touted for their compact passenger cars. We understand that high-revving, air-cooled bike engines are generally unsuited for automobiles, but the both exercises seem somewhat counter-intuitive.

The Chinese auto market has a strange fascination with stretched versions of compact and mid-size sedans, the the stretched BMW 5-Series (pictured), the Audi A4L and the stretched Mercedes-Benz E-Class to name a few.

BMW wants a bigger piece of the action and is teaming of with Chinese automaker Brilliance (yes, that Brilliance) to build the long-wheelbase 3-Series as well as a new factory in the Chinese region of Shenyeng. The factory should have an ultimate capacity of 300,000 units, with 60 percent of the parts sourced within China. Capacity should be enough that BMW will be able to export cars from the plant, although it’s not likely that we’ll ever see a stretched 3-Series on our shores. Expect identical powertrain options in the stretched car, and a slightly higher price tag.

[Source: Autocar]

We all love those impromptu drives on backroads where you can exceed the post limits just a little, without the action getting too dangerous. Once in a while, you’ll be following someone with a nice car that can actually drive well and set a good pace.

The driver of a Mazdaspeed 3 thought it was going to happen when a BMW 335i sedan pulled out in front of him and started driving quickly. Unfortunately, the BMW driver used all of his 5 brain cells to display an embarrassing spectacle of road rage that we can only attribute to misuse of anabolic steroids, or his dismay in seeing a Mazda hatchback keep pace with his (probably) leased 3-series.

It’s a good thing this took place in California. In a state with less restrictive concealed carry laws, someone could have been hurt very badly in this exchange.

[Source: Carscoop]

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With the press launch only a couple weeks away, Cadillac has announced pricing details for their CTS and CTS-V Coupes.  With a base price of $38,990, the CTS Coupe comes in at a couple thousand dollars more than a base BMW 328i, with the CTS-V coupe mimicking the pricing structure by coming in at $62,990, roughly $4,000 more than a base model M3 Coupe.

If you want to know whether the Cadillac is actually better than the BMW 3-Series (or its other rival, the Infiniti G37 Coupe), you’ll have to come back on June 21st, when CTS Coupe driving impressions are no longer embargoed. In the mean time, check out the press release for more information.

[Source: Autoblog]

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A British journalist recently decided to challenge BMW‘s claim that its new 320d EfficientDynamics sedan could drive for 1000 miles on a single tank of diesel, and  managed to achieve the feat, driving exactly 1,013 miles. Tom Ford, the driver of the BMW, kept the windows up and the air-conditioning off, but avoided hypermiling tricks such as coasting or driving under the speed limit – instead he drove at about 65-70 mph on freeways.

Despite being the most efficient BMW in the range, the 320d is far from the least powerful. Its diesel engine puts out 163 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque, hitting 60 mph in a respectable 8.2 seconds. Ford averaged 59.7 mpg on both legs of the trip, even hitting 75.9 mpg on the departure leg of the trip. Diesel cars have never really taken off in the states, and BMW’s own 335d has not been a runaway success, but it’s really hard to argue with numbers like these, in terms of performance and economy. After all, would you rather have a 60 mpg BMW or a Toyota Prius?

[Source: Autoblog Green]

Mercedes-Benz is hoping that new variants of their small C-Class sedan will spearhead a 30% increase in sales over the next five years. The blitz will begin with a C-Class coupe that will go on sale next year, as well as a new C-Class in 2013, followed by a C-Class based convertible shortly after. Mercedes will also launch three vehicles based on the B-Class, a small front drive car sold in Canada and Europe. The B-Class cars will take the form of a coupe, crossover and sedan when they hit the United States in 2012.

Mercedes-Benz USA CEO Ernst Lieb told Automotive News that the small car segment is where Mercedes is lacking product. “Everybody wants to be Mercedes-Benz he said. “They are after us in the S- and E-class segment. With C class, we’re sitting with a four-door sedan and not doing anything else. Now we will go into segments where [competitors] are strong.” 

Lieb is hoping to repeat the mistake made by rival car maker BMW, who priced their 1-Series compact coupes to closely to their volume 3-Series model. BMW has only sold 3,648 1-Series through April, but Lieb said that Mercedes needs to sell 15,000 cars to make a viable business case for the product. ”We will always have a price premium,” he said, “but we can’t have a premium like in the S class.”

[Source: Automotive News]