The 2009 edition of BMW's popular 3-Series cars will appear in public for the first time at the Paris Motor Show in early October, and reach U.S. showrooms later that month. Details of the car have begun to leak to the automotive press, and while the 3-Series won't see a major redesign, it will get a new powertrain option and a revised look.
AutoWeek explains, "BMW’s 3 Series gets a diesel powertrain and a number of detailed midlife changes in an attempt to increase its visual boldness, provide it with the latest in entertainment and communication technology, improve its environmental credentials and further enhance its reputation as being the most dynamically adept car in the toughly fought junior-luxury-car class." The diesel option, a first for BMW in the U.S. market, will feature "a 3.0-liter twin-turbo, 265-hp, inline-six diesel, which uses a urea-injection system to meet U.S. emissions standards." It will be offered only with an automatic transmission, and only on 3-Series sedans.
Edmunds Inside Line adds, "In typical diesel fashion, the torque figure is the real story: 425 pound-feet at only 1,750 rpm."
Exterior changes are not radical, but those who have seen them tend to like them. Autoblog notes, "The car sports a revised front fascia, a new hood, restyled mirrors, and reshaped tail lamps. The changes are subtle, but good." As expected, BMW has added its ConnectedDrive in-car internet system to the 3-Series, along with the new, simpler iDrive that debuted on the 2008 5-Series.
Pricing on the 2009 3-Series has not been announced.
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