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BMW's 2009 3-Series gets a diesel!

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Khatir Soltani
For 2009, BMW made a few changes to the entry-level 3-Series, both inside and out. Also, a new diesel engine will make its way into the lineup.

Preserving the car's youthful personality, designers reworked the front bumper to include larger air intakes. The headlights have been revised, while the hood features two new character lines. In the back, the bumper, taillights (now LED-equipped) and part of the trunk lid have been restyled, making the vehicle look sharper and closer to the ground.


When stepping inside the 2009 BMW 3-Series, one notices the new chrome inserts, the larger console-integrated storage compartment and the subtly-redesigned armrests. The iDrive multimedia interface has also been upgraded, featuring a 9-inch liquid crystal display with improved resolution and a smaller control.

The navigation system includes a new 80 Gig hard drive, allowing music lovers to store audio files from a CD, an MP3 player or a USB flash drive. On the safety front, active head restraints will now be standard across the line.

New diesel engine
The big news for 2009 is unquestionably the addition of a diesel-powered variant called 335d. Under its hood is a 3.0-liter, inline six-cylinder engine mated to a pair of turbochargers -- and winner of two World Engine of the Year awards. When running on diesel fuel, it produces 265 horsepower and a whopping 425 pounds-feet of torque. In Canada, the 335d will initially be available as a sedan only.

The market introduction of the 2009 BMW 3-Series is scheduled for this fall. So far, no prices have been announced by the German automaker.
photo:BMW
Khatir Soltani
Khatir Soltani
Automotive expert
  • Over 6 years experience as a car reviewer
  • Over 50 test drives in the last year
  • Involved in discussions with virtually every auto manufacturer in Canada