Though some say the F30 BMW 3 Series, i.e. the new one has grown up slightly too much, the powerplants are unlikely to disappoint especially in today’s economy. So far the Euro-spec 328i (turbo ‘four instead of a naturally aspirated ‘six) gets 44 mpg, rendering similarly priced US market hybrids pointless, but it doesn’t end there. BMW will be offering the four-pot diesel in the US, though the timing is uncertain at this point.

This means 60 mpg is possible in an already much-anticipated car. Certainly the diesel 3er would make the ActiveHybrid 3er pointless to the minds of some prospective customers, and it may be for this reason that BMW chose to introduce the diesel later.

Click here for more news on the BMW 3-Series.

Naturally emissions controls and politics could change the tune of the US cars, but a BMW insider has confirmed that the 320d is eventually bound for US shores. In the past, BMW offered the 335d in limited form: 4 doors, rear drive only and an automatic transmission; $45 grand was the asking price, so it may seem obvious to some why it never made a huge splash over here.

Beyond the F30, the diesels may make their way into BMW’s SUV lineup and in the F10 (current 5 series).

- By: Sawyer Sutton

Source: CARandDRIVER

The year 1986 marked the end of BMW’s first ever attempt at diesel offerings in the United States. That diesel came in the form of the E28 generation 524td turbodiesel, which ended up taking the title of the world’s fastest production diesel at the time. But after BMW pulled the plug, it wasn’t until 2008 that BMW offered another diesel for the US in the form of the X5 3.0d.

Following the X5’s diesel offering came the 3-Series version, the 335d. And because America is beginning to cast a more positive and open-minded light on oil burners, word is that BMW is still adamant about offering a 3-Series diesel for the new generation that comes out in just a few short months.

“The X5 diesel doing well in the U.S.,” said BMW’s head of sales and marketing, Ian Robertson, in an interview. “From month-to-month it accounts for a third or half of sales. It is still an issue of getting bums on seats. U.S. buyers are still astonished by how good a modern diesel is.”

Click here for our original post on the 2012 BMW 3 Series.

And it seems like history is repeating itself. Back in 1984, when BMW brought about the 524td, at the time Bavaria Motor Works was trying to hold off on for diesel as long as possible since they viewed it to be counterintuitive to their corporate philosophy of “The Ultimate Driving Machines.” But, it was a push-come-to-shove situation because the 1970s fuel crisis literally forced BMW to seek alternatives to meet the CAFE regulations of that time period and the 524td was their answer.

So is the case today. The threat of increasing gas prices and pressure from President Obama’s CAFE regulation mandate has everyone pushing for higher fuel economy figures. And to have BMW to continue offering the 3-Series—and potentially other models—with a diesel will certainly help their cause.

Check out the updated high-res gallery above and visit our Facebook page for other pictures of the 2012 BMW 3 Series.

Refresher: The 2012 BMW 3 Series three trim levels including Sport Line, Luxury Line and Modern Line – of course, an M Sport Package will follow. The 2012 BMW 328i is powered by a 2.0 liter TwinPower Turbo 4-cylinder engine making 240-hp at 5,000 rpm and 260 lb-ft of torque between 1,250 and 4,800 rpm. That allows 0 to 60 mph to come in just 5.7 seconds with a top speed of 130 mph (155 mph with Sport Line package). Power for the 2012 BMW 335i comes from the same N55 3.0 liter 6-cylinder TwinPower Turbo engine making 300-hp at 5,800 rpm with a maximum torque of 300 lb-ft between 1,200 rpm and 5,000 rpm. 0 to 60 mph comes in 5.4 seconds with a top speed of 130 mph (and 155 mph with Sport Line package).

- By: Chris Chin

Source: Inside Line

BMW has confirmed that it will end production of the current 3-Series sedan in October 2011. The BMW 335d diesel in the United States, will end production just before that in August.

Why? Well, BMW is preparing for the launch of the next-generation 3-Series sedan, which is scheduled to go on sale in spring 2012.

The next-generation BMW 3-Series will be built on a new modular platform. It will carry over the proportions and overall size but will get a major redesign. What kind of redesign? Just take a look at the new 2011 BMW 5-Series. While it won’t look exactly like that it will carry the same aggressiveness and distinct lines.

The interior is also expected to be updated.

- By: Omar Rana

Source: BMWBlog

BMW said today that both of their new Advanced Diesel models with BluePerformance technology qualify for an IRS Advanced Lean Burn Technology Motor Vehicle Tax Credit. Buyers of the new 2009 BMW 335d BluePerformance will qualify for a tax credit of up to $900 while those interested in the 2009 X5 xDrive35d BluePerformance will qualify for up to $1,800 tax credit.

Both models are powered by a 3.0L twin-turbo inline 6-cylinder diesel that produces 265-hp and 425 lb-ft of torque. That gives the 335d the ability to go from 0 to 60 mph in 6 seconds flat while the X5 xDrive35d does it in 6.9 seconds. Fuel-economy wise the EPA rates the 335d at 23/36 mpg (city/highway) and the X5 xDrive35d at 19/26 mpg. Both models are capable of traveling close to 600 miles on a single tank.

The 2009 BMW 335d and the X5 xDrive35d SUV are both available at BMW dealerships across all 50 states with pricing starting at $44,725 and $52,025 respectively.

2009 BMW 335d BluePerformance:

2009 BMW X5 xDrive35d BluePerformance:

Along with the 2009 BMW X5 xDrive35d BluePerformance, BMW will also be offering the new 2009 BMW 335d BluePerformance this month in all 50 states.

Power comes from the same turbocharged 3.0 liter inline-six diesel engine that makes 265-hp and a peak torque of 425 lb-ft. The 2009 335d can go from 0 to 62 mph in 6.2 seconds with an estimated fuel-economy of 23/33 mpg (city/highway) and a range of at least 550 miles on a full tank. We recently had the chance to drive the 335d at a Consumer Reports event and were very pleased with the performance.

Pricing for the 2009 BMW 335d BluePerformance starts at $44,725 with $900 in federal tax credit. That’s a $4,625 difference when comparing it to the $40,100 2009 BMW 335i.

Follow the jump for the high-resolution image gallery.

2009 BMW 335d BluePerformance: