Rest easy, torque-lovers, BMW will be releasing the diesel version of its uber-popular 3 Series sedan in the United States later this year, exactly on schedule. Because it's so late in the year, the Bavarian automaker will be labeling it as a 2009 model, leading some to believe that the 335d was not going to be coming until next year. Not so, according to BMW spokesman Tom Plucinsky, who confirmed to KickingTires that both the 335d and the X5 35d will be making it Stateside sometime in November after production begins in September.
Both upcoming diesel models from BMW will use a 3.0-liter twin turbo oil-burner rated at 265hp and 425 lb-ft of torque. That's plenty of stump-pulling torque, but the best news could be the expected fuel mileage of 23 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway when paired with the six speed automatic.
The 2009 BMW 3-series will be revealed in all its facelifted glory at the Paris Motor Show and sales will begin across North America this October. The only discernible differences up front are a new fascia that apes the recently unveiled 7-series, new headlamps with "altered graphics," a contoured hood and modified mirror housings. Out back, the subtle changes continue, with a new taillight design that integrates more cleanly into the trunk lid and a reworked bumper that will join a one-inch wider track on high end version of the 3-series.
Inside, you'll find a revised armrest on the driver's side door, an updated iDrive controller and software, a high-resolution 8.8-inch screen, with options for an 80-gig hard drive that can store MP3s and the sat nav software.
The 335i's (claimed) 300 hp, 3.0-liter twin-turbo six will remain, as will the 328i's 230 hp, 3.0-liter inline-six. The new addition to the family is the 335d, which is packing a 265 hp, twin-turbo 3.0-liter straight-six diesel, equipped with urea injection to keep the U.S.'s SMOG sniffers happy. However, if you were hoping for a 335d coupe, you're out of luck – the oil burner is only available in the sedan and fitted with a six-speed automatic transmission. Otherwise, the tranny choices will include the six-speed manual or six-speed auto 'box. However, Autoweek makes no mention of the DCT gearbox. Too bad.
KPG's crack team has caught the U.S.-spec BMW 335d undergoing testing ahead of its official launch in the States later this year, and according to the shooters, the introduction of the 335d will coincide with the launch of the revised 3-series. Don't expect much from the facelift, as the new 3 will only receive a new front bumper and some tweaks to the headlamps. However, the interior will benefit from the new iDrive interface recently revealed on the 2009 7-series.
The 335d is expected to lose a few ponies when it makes the trek across the Atlantic, so power figures are estimated at 265 hp and 425 lb.-ft. of torque. That kind of twist is nothing to sneeze at, allowing the 335d to hit 60 in around 6.2 seconds and could make a compelling case for gasoline purists to make the transition to oil burning efficiency. Fuel consumption is expected to be 23 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the open road.
Naturally, BMW will be launching a new campaign when it introduces the 335d to the U.S. market for the first time, so expect to see ads touting BMW's "Advance Diesel with BluePerformance," – with the "Blue" referring to the urea solution that reduces NO2 emissions.
