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While at NAIAS we caught up with Victor Lelue, BMW 3 Series and Z4 Product Manager for the US. We used this opportunity to chat about everything you can imagine 3 Series. Starting with the 320i and why it exists without much if any improved MPG figures. We then moved onto the new 3 Series wagon and what we should expect with it. And yes that means only xDrive and 8 Speed auto.

But the big subject we tackled regarding the 3er is of course the new diesels. We learned from Victor that the new 3 Series diesel will be powered by a 2.0L four cylinder (as expected) with around 180 hp and 300 ft lbs of torque. And MPG? BMW is expecting 40 pus MPG on the highway.

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The new 3er diesel (likely called the 328d) will be all about efficiency where the 335d was marketed mostly with performance in mind.

Yet the Z4 had a big day at NAIAS with the world debut of its LCI. Victor gives us some insight into why the LCI was so subtle (hint – it ‘s already pretty good looking). Additionally we asked Victor about the lack of a M Performance Line Z4 considering the 35is is basically just that. And what about that N54 sticking around? You ‘ll have to listen to find out the official answer.

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