Just as we had expected in a prior article (although secretly hoped for the best) the BMW 1-series turbo-charged diesel engine will not be making its way to America when the 1-series is released. There will be two gasoline variants for the car, including the 306-hp 135i. As much as we appreciate the numbers of the 135i it just feels a bit heartbreaking that we will not be seeing the all aluminum 4-cylinder turbo diesel.

The same occurred with the latest 5-series release as again the great Atlantic Diesel Barrier prevented that models diesel engines from visiting the states. It is rumored that BMW plans to put a diesel engine in the US market in 2008. Their plan is to put it in one of their larger vehicles; either the X5 or the 7-series sedan. Maybe BMW is just looking to make America prove its commitment to buying diesel engined cars. But I say this to BMW: Give me a 204-hp 1-Series turbo-diesel that averages 40 mpg at a price I can swallow and I will prove my resolve. Put it in a 7-Series or X5 and I will just write a few nice words about you.

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