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BMW is making a risky bet that horsepower-mad American drivers will go for cleaner and greener luxury in its 1, 3, and even 5 Series cars. (http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/08_42/b4104074245498.htm?chan=top+news_top+news+index+-+temp_news+%2B+analysis)

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/500/2008_BMW_335i.jpgDavid Kiley – Business Week – Oct. 8, 2008

2009 BMW 335i rated at just 20 mpgUS combined – Smaller than a Civic with a gas guzzling V6.

Already the embarrassment factor rises for those driving FSP’s. Whether Americans will get it in time to realize that their current FSP is worthless is another question altogether :rolleyes: -- Ed.

BMW's headquarters in Munich is practically a work of roadside art. Built from four 20-story cylinders that join in the center, it's an homage to the four-cylinder engines that powered the automaker's fuel-thrifty offerings in Europe in the late-1960s when the building was designed…

BMW is making a risky bet that a big chunk of its U.S. sales will be "four-bangers" by 2012, including the majority of its best-selling midsize 3 Series, the compact 1 Series, and even a few of its full-sized 5 Series. The company believes a new breed of four-cylinder engines will help satisfy tougher U.S. fuel economy and emission regulations without hurting its reputation for agile power. But BMW and other luxury automakers jumping into this game face some major marketing challenges. Not least, they must persuade American drivers that these smaller engines are powerful enough for $35,000-plus premium sedans, and not just the usual econo-boxes… http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/08_42/b4104074245498.htm?chan=top+news_top+news+index+-+temp_news+%2B+analysis

That's a good looking car -- but that color is more attractive on my Insight. ;)

BMW is making a risky bet that a big chunk of its U.S. sales will be "four-bangers" by 2012Risky?

You mean "Drill, drill, drill" brings oil down to $50 a barrel in 2012?

You bet we are! The best BMW currently available in the US is, IMO, the Mini. It handles like a cat on carpet, which is what makes a car fun for me. A 3-series with a 4-cylinder and a smooth-shifting manual transmission would be a nice car, albeit probably still too costly for my taste.

"It's more fun to drive a slow car fast, than to drive a fast car slow."

What better slow car is there than a 4-cyl BMW?

Acura made the tsx with a 4 cylinder and 30mpg highway. people still bought it. i dont think there will be a problem with a 4 banger 3 series, since both of these cars are about the same price range, give or take a few thousand dollars

My cousin had one of those "unsuccessful" 318s. It wasn't overly powerful (still plenty of power though), but it did handle amazingly well. Quite a nice car IMO. I'd like to see more of that around. The 1 series would be great to have over here.

If BMW would bring the 1-series diesel (http://www.autobloggreen.com/2007/10/28/times-of-london-plays-with-another-cool-diesel-we-cant-have-bm/) over here, I am confident they would sell out before the end of the model year.

Risky?

You mean "Drill, drill, drill" brings oil down to $50 a barrel in 2012?

Chuck, a severe recession might take us back to $50 oil...

Drilling here will have some impact on speculation, but the financial crisis world wide is having a much greater impact on oil and other commodity prices.

Harry

"the last such model the company sold in the U.S. was the 1998 318Ti, a car so spectacularly unsuccessful that BMW executives are often embarrassed to discuss it. "

I don't know if I would be embarrassed by a ride like this...
http://www.2002tii-restoration.org/images/summer07_800_02.jpg

Looks pretty sweet to me..

"the last such model the company sold in the U.S. was the 1998 318Ti, a car so spectacularly unsuccessful that BMW executives are often embarrassed to discuss it. "

I don't know if I would be embarrassed by a ride like this...

Looks pretty sweet to me..

Guy on my street has one. I think it looks nice in dark green, too.

Well... I'm wondering if anyone is going to be ready for ANY kind of car now that the Second Great Depression is about to begin.

But seriously... any vehicle that consumes less fuel than its predecessor is fine by me.

Bring me a 123d in a four-door hatch config and I'll buy it.

nf

P.S. May last three cars pre-hybrid were all bimmer three series.

Well... I'm wondering if anyone is going to be ready for ANY kind of car now that the Second Great Depression is about to begin.

But seriously... any vehicle that consumes less fuel than its predecessor is fine by me.



no shi*... just after the Dow lost over 675 points today or 7.33 percent.

BMW probably makes the best diesels in the world. They just don't sell them here... Clarkson got 40mpg (+33US) out of a 335D on one of their shows. For a top notch sports car, that isn't too bad. That's better than everything but small hatchbacks, here.

Mini is having a problem with some of their customers and possible lawsuits. The center mounted exhaust pipes are burning people trying to get things out of the back. BMW use to have a screaming 4 cylinder. They could go back to a 4 banger with turbo for a little extra boost or a 4diesel turbo.