MUNICH, Germany — An environmentally conscious concept alongside the world debut of the M3 convertible will show BMW's commitment to both green and performance technologies at the 2008 Geneva Auto Show in early March. Additionally, BMW will show two new powertrains for European 1 Series and 3 Series cars.
The concept car is being touted as one of BMW's Efficient Dynamics concepts. While details are scarce, the company has previously used the Efficient Dynamics name for concept versions of the X3 and X6 with hybrid powertrains.
For Americans, the big news comes in the first showing of the M3 convertible and its new dual-clutch transmission. The new transmission can be shifted manually via steering-wheel paddles or a floor-mounted stick or can be set to one of five automatic modes. The M3 drop top pumps 420 horsepower out of the 4.0-liter V8 for a run from zero to 60 mph in 5.3 seconds. It will appear in showrooms in the late spring.
The new-for-Europe-only diesel in the 320d convertible makes 177 hp and 258 pound-feet of torque from a turbocharged 2.0-liter power plant. Performance takes a backseat to efficiency, with the 320d reaching 60 mph in just under 8.6 seconds. Top speed is 139 mph. The new model is the most efficient 3 Series convertible from BMW, achieving 44 mpg on the European combined cycle. Manual-transmission cars also include start/stop technology to increase fuel economy in stop-and-go traffic.
BMW will also show off its fourth European model of the 1 Series coupe, the 125i powered by a six-cylinder engine. The 218-hp 3.0-liter moves the 125i to 60 mph in less than 6.4 seconds with a top speed of 152 mph.
What this means to you: BMW wants you to know that "go fast" and "go green" can live in harmony. — Eric Tingwall, Correspondent
The concept car is being touted as one of BMW's Efficient Dynamics concepts. While details are scarce, the company has previously used the Efficient Dynamics name for concept versions of the X3 and X6 with hybrid powertrains.
For Americans, the big news comes in the first showing of the M3 convertible and its new dual-clutch transmission. The new transmission can be shifted manually via steering-wheel paddles or a floor-mounted stick or can be set to one of five automatic modes. The M3 drop top pumps 420 horsepower out of the 4.0-liter V8 for a run from zero to 60 mph in 5.3 seconds. It will appear in showrooms in the late spring.
The new-for-Europe-only diesel in the 320d convertible makes 177 hp and 258 pound-feet of torque from a turbocharged 2.0-liter power plant. Performance takes a backseat to efficiency, with the 320d reaching 60 mph in just under 8.6 seconds. Top speed is 139 mph. The new model is the most efficient 3 Series convertible from BMW, achieving 44 mpg on the European combined cycle. Manual-transmission cars also include start/stop technology to increase fuel economy in stop-and-go traffic.
BMW will also show off its fourth European model of the 1 Series coupe, the 125i powered by a six-cylinder engine. The 218-hp 3.0-liter moves the 125i to 60 mph in less than 6.4 seconds with a top speed of 152 mph.
What this means to you: BMW wants you to know that "go fast" and "go green" can live in harmony. — Eric Tingwall, Correspondent
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