BMW Foreshadows M Treatment for 1 and 3 Series

[BMWDave]

The BMW 3 Series offers a Sportpacket package to enhance its look


BMW Foreshadows M Treatment for 1 and 3 Series
Date Posted 07-13-2005

MUNICH, Germany ? BMW is inching closer to bringing to reality scorching M versions of its 1 Series and 3 Series models.

Although the existence of a 1 Series tweaked by BMW's famed M Division has been denied, the appearance of the new M Sportpacket says otherwise.

The new M Sportpacket styling kit, which is being offered for the X3 off-roader in addition to the 1 Series and 3 Series, adds some aggressive visual cues to the appearance of these models. The aerodynamic kit contains special suspension settings, enhanced interior with aluminum inserts and a leather-covered steering wheel. These add-ons can be ordered with any engine, but it is not mere coincidence that BMW announced a slew of new engines parallel to this new aerokit. The European-only 1 Series can now be ordered with a 265-horsepower inline six, and there are three new powertrains for the 3 Series ? a 1.8-liter inline four that makes 129 hp, a 1.8-liter inline four-cylinder diesel with 121 hp and a 3.0-liter inline-six diesel with 231 hp and 410 pound-feet of torque.

What this means to you: Not much, until they bring a 1 Series to the U.S., anyway.

[Fire It Up]

It doesnt look different...

[Raghavan]

how come we don't get teh 3.0 diesel???