According to Edmunds.com European correspondent, Matt Davis, BMW may bring North America a four-cylinder 1 Series and 3 series. This goes hand in hand with the previous news we had reported on that BMW is planning on decreasing production of larger displacement engines. Our sources have indicated that there are some 1 series four-bangers cruising around the US, and we may have posted a photo of one them here.
From Edmunds:
MUNICH, Germany — While VW-Audi has shown its U.S. interest with a brand-new plant going up in Tennessee, and Mercedes has the upper ground on all German premiums with its clear diesel initiative in North America, BMW North America’s bold statement has not yet come. The company could use a big, mind-grabbing statement to bolster its profit base, and the smaller 1 Series introduction may not have the impact it is looking for in the U.S. market.
Enter the idea of a four-cylinder engine for the 3 Series.
BMWNA has finally released MSRP pricing for the 2009 model year!! We have not had a chance to look it over in detail but looks like we expected…. stay tuned for more analysis but for now enjoy the PDF!
There was an update to this list, but it was a retraction of the X5 xDrive30i requiring the Premium Audio package until further notice…. that was a quick further notice!
As proponents of BMW finally returning diesel technology to us in the US we have given you a great deal of information on them; although for the most part we have barely touched the surface.
In order to meet strict US emissions requirements BMW (and other manufacturers) had to use a variety of technologies to bring us the amazing torque and efficiency of diesel motors once again.
BMW will be offering us in the US only two models initially: the 335d (sedan only) and the X5 xDrive35d. Though you can still dream of other models down the road as BMW is not opposed to offering them but rather letting the market warm to the diesels with the most popular models first. Can you blame them?
Today we bring you the official launch video for the refreshed 3 series sedan which we were (finally) able to obtain. The marketing department did an amazing job on choosing these locations, and with the overall composition of this piece. For some it may be a sigh of relief to see how the car looks in motion and how the light bounces off of all of the creases.
Video:BMW/ Auto365.fr (from our original which was asked to be removed/but this has been modified)
This new iDrive system is creating a buzz that is for once positive about BMW technology. This positive buzz may also open the eyes of car mags and critics to the idea (finally) of iDrive not being as bad as they try to make it out to be. The current system is a vast improvement to the original in the 7 series, but because it retained the same name, to many it was the same system.
When we originally brought you the pictures of the controller we were happy with that improvement. When we heard about what the operating system would be like we were ecstatic. When we finally were able to see the system we were captivated, now we are just simply blown away. If the system can do half of what it is supposed to effectively and efficiently it will be a great success, especially since it looks beautiful!
We hope that the new system, we would like to dub iDrive 2.0, is just the beginning of new successes in BMW creature comfort technology!
You can read about each photo by scrolling over “notes”
We have been searching and prodding our sources to find an accurate view of the new Chestnut leather… So far all we can bring you is the view compliments of the German Configurator that just went live tonight.
How accurate this picture is of the actual color remains up for debate but it is “Rotbraun”; in other words “red brown”.
Looks like it will be almost Terra with the addition of red…
Chestnut and Blue Water (the color featured on the sedan in the launch photos) would be a great combo, and we’re fairly certain that was BMW’s plan!
Here is a nice little photos set from new BimmerFile contributer Mike. He was kind enough to snap some shots of a US spec 335d for us. So it would seem that there are US spec cars on the ground already; which plainly shows that BMW is way ahead of schedule getting these babies rolling in the States (joking here folks; if you have been following along you will get it!).
This particular car is equipped with the Sport Package and the beautiful wheels that come along with it. In the photos you can clearly see the filler for the AdBlue (read: UREA), a key component to the new emissions control system which should go about 10k before a refill. You can also see many of the new changes and of course the new iDrive system.
If you are unfamiliar with the new Advanced Diesels we recommend that you explore some here.
We heard from a few readers about a rumor that BMW’s US bound diesel line-up was rumored to be delayed until next year. While we could certainly see that as plausible given that these are new models with entirely new components (urea injection anyone?) we still thought it odd that BMW USA had just released information about both models for a fall release.
It turns out our concerns were justified. Cars.com blogger (and longtime friend of BimmerFile) Dave Thomas has confirmed with BMW USA that the 335d and the X5 35d will be starting production in September with sales to start in November.
Update: We now have added direct links to the Flash versions of the German catalogs, which allow for zooming. It is difficult to say from these catalogs and photos which are of the Saddle Brown and which are of Chestnut. From what we gather Chestnut is going to be more “brown” than “orange”. Continue onto the original post for the new wheel options broken down by model for the US.
No sooner do we question why BMW is keeping us in the USA in the dark and they go release the requested information! We now know the reason for the delay; there is no mention of the DCT in this piece BUT there is very little mention of the coupe (E92) or convertible (E93) so there is still some hope. There is also no mention of the internet via Connected Drive or the newer Efficient Dynamics technologies.
The only change engine wise is the Advanced Diesel in the 335d. There will not be a 335 wagon or a direct injection 330.
The iDrive will be updated as we have known for sometime and the remainder of the changes in appearance and packaging (including a heated steering wheel) will occur.
All in all it is very similar to the UK just we are not worthy of the other engines, DCT (yet?) or Connected Drive.
Update
It appears that the “XI” badging may be history:
BMW’s acclaimed xDrive all-wheel drive is featured in the newly named 328i and 335i xDrive Sedans and 328i xDrive Sports Wagon
BimmerFile is dedicated to bringing you the most interesting news, links and reviews related to the BMW brand and it's vehicles.
We believe in the old school BMW ownership experience. We believe in garage nights with a six pack and some friends. We believe in 2002s, in E30 M3s and E34 540s with the 6 speed. We believe in progress in both design and engineering but we haven't lost sight of what made the brand and its products great all those years ago. And yes, we believe in the manual transmission.
We long for the days of the wave and for the days of roll-up windows. Yet we love the gadgets on the inside and the xenons on the outside.
In short, we can't get enough of BMWs. This is BimmerFile.
Sections: E60 5 Series, E63/E64 6 Series, E70 X5, E71 X6, E81/82/E87 1 Series, E83 X3, E90 3 Series, Official News, Sales/Marketing Sep 4th, 2008 16 Comments 
