There's a BMW 123d running around in Michigan
BMW finally launched the 1-series here in the U.S. recently after selling the smallest BMW-badged vehicle in Europe for several years. Unfortunately, since the commercial failure of the 318ti a few years back, they've come to the conclusion that Americans just don't want Bimmers with fewer than 6 cylinders. As a result, the 1-series ended coming here with the same 6 cylinder options available in the slightly larger 3-series. That means no 4 cylinder engines of either gasoline or diesel varieties, including the vaunted twin-turbo 2.0L diesel in the 123d. The aluminum block four cylinder puts out 204hp and 295lb-ft of torque while achieving 45mpg (U.S.) on the EU combined cycle.
An eagle eyed reader happened to spot an unusual 1-series in Flint, Michigan the other day thanks to the fact the car in question had the three door hatchback body style that's not sold here either (we only get the 2 door coupe and convertible). The 1-series hatch happens to be a 123d. Don't go getting your hopes up, BMW hasn't changed their mind (yet). This example is part of Bosch's diesel promotional fleet along with a number of other cars. The 123d and several other European spec diesels are new arrivals that are already scheduled to spend some time in the ABG garage in the coming weeks. We're particularly looking forward to driving these new arrivals since none of them are big hefty SUVs. Stay tuned for reviews soon!
Gallery: BMW 123d in Flint MI
[thanks to typhoon500 for the photos]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Joe 8:21PM (6/01/2008)
Bosch had this car down at Ohio State University for the fall career fair 2 years ago. It was pretty nice. Next to it was an International CXT and a GTO test platform with an LS7 in it.
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Dan 8:54PM (6/01/2008)
pleaseeeee bring this car to the U.S.!
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eliot 10:20PM (6/01/2008)
I'd prefer the 5 door instead of the 3 door, like this one. A BMW 123 as you said has 204 hp and a peak torque of 295 lbs-ft. The 123d makes the 0 to 60 mph sprint in just 6.7 seconds. In the 118d, this engine makes 141 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque. It will prod the car to 60 mph in about 8.8 seconds, returning 59 mpg on the highway (tested here in the states)
http://blog.wired.com/cars/2008/03/bmw-118d-wins-w.html
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Rich 7:42AM (6/02/2008)
I've come to the conclusion that the selection of cars available in the US will be quite poor for the next few years. Why won't BMW import this car? I think they are making a tragic marketing blunder!
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Joe 11:49AM (6/02/2008)
They can't import it because of emissions. You can thank the great state of California for that.
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why not the LS2LS7? 12:36PM (6/02/2008)
So Subaru, VW and Mercedes can meet the lax emissions standards for Diesels but not BMW?
Oh boo-hoo! Why oh why don't we let big corporations spew our air with filth to increase their profits? What happened to the America I knew?
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Jesse Thoresen 11:41AM (6/05/2008)
“lax emissions standards” name one place that has stricter emission standards than the US.
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