BMW USA Puts a Price Tag on the All-New 2012 3-Series Sedan

BMW has just released U.S. pricing on its new 3-Series saloon, which will make its North American debut at the Detroit Motor Show in January and arrive in showrooms across the States next February as a 2012 model.

The new 328i, which swaps the current model's naturally aspirated 3.0-liter inline-six for a turbo'd four-cylinder powerplant, will be priced from $35,795, while the 2012 335i Sedan that continues with a turbocharged-six carries an MSRP of $43,295.

Both prices include an $895 destination and handling fee, and represent a modest $320 and $370 base price increase respectively over the outgoing models.

Along with the powertrain, chassis and styling upgrades, the new 3-Series also brings a higher level of standard equipment including larger wheels and tires, a 6.5-inch central display with iDrive controller, Bluetooth connectivity, USB/iPod interface, 8-Speed Automatic Transmission, Automatic Start/Stop, Dynamic Driving Control with ECO PRO Mode and Brake Energy Regeneration.

Both the 328i and the 335i will be available in the States in a trio of trim and equipment variants, the Sport Line, Luxury Line and Modern Line, while BMW will also offer an M Sport package in the second half of 2012.

As a reminder, the 328i gets a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with a twin-scroll turbocharger that produces 240HP at 5,000 rpm and 260 lb-ft from 1,250 to 4,800 rpm, for a 0-60mph sprint time of 5.7 seconds and a an electronically governed top speed of 130 mph or 155 mph with the Sport Line.

The 335i is powered by BMW's N55 3.0-liter turbocharged inline 6-cylinder engine delivering 300HP at 5,800rpm and of 300 lb-ft between 1,200 and 5,000rpm. BMW says that it can accelerate from zero to 60mph in 5.4 seconds and reach an electronically governed top speed of 130 mph (210 km/h) or 155 mph (250 km/h) in Sport Line trim.

The 2012 3-Series range will be enhanced with a Hybrid model as well a diesel powertrain later in the year.

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VW Passat Goes Off-Road with Alltrack Version, will Debut at the Tokyo Motor Show

The VW Group, and more specifically Audi, was the one that started the high-riding estate craze with its A6 Allroad in 1999. Based on the regular A6 Avant, the Allroad featured an all-wheel drive quattro system, higher ground clearance, an adjustable-height air suspension, all-terrain tires and flared fenders, gaining a more adventurous appearance.

Now, Volkswagen has released the first-ever crossroad version of its Passat mid-size model, named the Passat Alltrack. It will receive its world premiere at the Tokyo Motor Show on December 3 and will go on sale in early 2012.

A successful recipe is not meddled with so the (European) Passat Estate-based Alltrack has all the goods one expects in the segment: raised suspension height, stainless steel-look front and rear underbody protection panels and plastic covered wheel arches that house 18-inch alloys.

Ground clearance has been increased from 135mm to 165 mm. This has improved the ramp breakaway angle from 9.5 to 12.8 degrees, while the redesigned front and rear bumpers have increased approach and departure angles from 13.5 to 16 degrees and from 11.9 to 13.6 degrees respectively.

The 4Motion all-wheel drive system uses an electrohydraulic Haldex clutch. Under normal use, it sends 90% of the power to the front axle and just 10% to the rear, though when necessary almost 100% can be directed to the rear axle.

The Passat Alltrack also sports an off-road mode, which works at speeds up to 30 km/h (18 mph). When the driver switches it on through dashboard-mounted button, the system activates hill descent assist, which automatically brakes the vehicle when the descent angle is greater than 10 degrees, and also alters the function of the ABS and the electronic differential locks (EDS).

On DSG-equipped cars, it also increases the transmission’s change points to make the gas pedal easier to modulate, and it doesn’t upshift when in manual mode.

The Alltrack will be available with two turbocharged direct injection petrol engines delivering 160HP and 210HP, and two turbodiesels with 140 and 170HP.

The 170HP diesel and the 210HP gasoline engines will feature all-wheel drive and a dual-clutch DSG transmission as standard, while the 140HP diesel will be optionally available with all-wheel drive.

Volkswagen did not say if the Passat Alltrack will be offered in the States.

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