It may not beat the 1-series that much in fuel economy if BMW will give it an American-market small diesel. This, of course, might be an incentive for BMW to do so.


You're forgetting one thing, though. Lexus has already tried a relatively small, 200 HP gas-powered hatchback in the American market......the IS300 Sportcross (it had 215 HP). It simply didn't sell, and was quickly dropped.

 

fixed. (removed auto)

magazines and webzines are competing with a zillion (frankly more interesting) blogs, tv channels, etc., so this competition is causing quality journalists to move on, plus the speed media needs to be created means less thoughtfulness, less review, more crap.

 

A diesel 1 series could happen, but since the 1 series doesn't sell all that well here, I don't think BMW would add another engine to the line any time soon.

My idea was to have the CT's price closer to $27K by using a non-hybrid I4. The IS300 Sportscross costed over $30K. Since the CT is going to be a hybrid it may very well cost as much as the old IS Sportscross did. Even if the CT gets 50mpg I think a 134hp $30+K hatch is going to be a hard sell.

 

Don't want to get too far off-topic, but one of the reasons WHY the BMW 1-series doesn't sell better here is precisely that....BMW won't offer smaller engines in it and bring the price down. It uses the same engines as the 3-series...and is priced, more or less, accordingly. BMW needs to offer both smaller gas and diesel engines in it.

I agree...27K would probably be a good target price. But Lexus may (?) be going hybrid with it because of the upcoming CAFE rules. Hybrids are going to play a major role with a number of automakers in meeting future CAFE standards, not just with Toyota/Lexus. Diesels, IMO, SHOULD, be playing more of a role, but getting non-German manufacturers to offer them here is like pulling teeth.

 

BMW probably didn't want to go below a certain performance threshold back when the 1 series was released. They are the "driver's" brand after all . But since the next 3 series is going to have a turbo I4 the next 1 series will probably follow suit.

Yeah CAFE standards may have influenced Lexus's decision. I do understand having a 134hp hybrid CT for the European market, but it'll be interesting to see how American consumers see it. At 134hp wouldn't it be one of the least powerful luxury cars in the US market?

The closest thing we may get to a Japanese diesel car is a diesel Tundra. I know at one point Acura was talking about a diesel TSX which would have been good, but they are now going to go hybrid instead (which IMO is a BAD idea for Honda/Acura).