M3:All eyes are on the 414-hp V-8-powered M3 coupe from the '07 series arhitecture.The engine based on the 5.0-liter V-10 in the M5 and M6,features an 8400-rpm redline and an accessible 295pound-feet of torque at 3900 rpm.Our initial test produced a 0-to-60 time of 4.4 seconds and a quarter-mile time of 12.9 seconds at 11mph.A six-speed manual is the only transmission available when the M3 goes on sale next spring.A twin clutch transmission is expected to debut in a year.The bad news is the M3 has put on about 300 punds over its '06 predecessor ,and the base price will likely be about $7000 more.
1-series: A coupe version of the smallest BMW is the U.S-bound in 2008.Two engines will power the 1-series: a 3.0 liter inline-six with 230 horsepower will be under the hood of the 128 i and 300 -hp twin-turbo inline-six will power the 135i.A sport suspension and body kit will be standard on 135 i and optional on the 128i.Both engines will come with a standard six speed manual and optional automatic. Price is expected to start below $30,000 and top off near $40,000 for a well optioned 135i.
5-series: Exterior styling is tweaked slightly front and rear,although the big news is in the six-cylinder models.Last year's 215-hp 525i becomes the 528i,thanks to a 230-hp,3.0-liter inline-six the 255-hp 530i morphs into the twin-turbo 300-hp 535i.
All wheel drive is available in both six-cylinder models.
The V-8 powered 550i gets the styling tweaks but is mechanically unchanged.
6-series:New front and rear fascias seek to keep design fresh,and the 6-series coupe and convertible soldier on with np major mechanical changes.
Unchanged: M5,M6,X5,Z4,Z4M,3-series,7-series
Dead:525i,530i
