The last time BMW installed a four-cylinder powerplant in a 3-Series, a Clinton was in the White House--and not just as a dinner guest. With fuel prices at semipermanent highs, BMW USA is considering adding a four-banger back to its lineup in its 3- and 1-series models, so says Edmunds Inside Line.

Far from the lightweight 2002 that is their spiritual successor, today's 3-series and even 1-series are solidly 3,000+ pound vehicles. But with modern technology, such as variable valve timing (double-VANOS in BMW-speak), direct injection, balance shafts, and more ratios in transmissions automatic and manual alike, getting all those pounds moving with a modern four cylinder shouldn't pose the problem it did back in the 80s.

Nor should refinement or cachet be an issue. According to Edmunds, both the 320i and 120i are strong sellers in Europe, and both feature a 2.0-liter, 167-horsepower direct-injected four. And for the younger buyers BMW is trying to woo into its 3- and 1-series, less money at the pump with the bonus of driving an environmentally responsible ride can only pay dividends.

The four cylinder BMW of yore was unpopular at best. Ever see an older-gen 3-series with no badging on the decklid? You can be sure that was a 320 whose driver didn't want the world to know he couldn't ante up to the expected six. But this was all before gas hopped the unbelievable $4/gallon barrier. Hybrids are in vogue, Mercedes has set precedents with BlueTEC and might soon be introducing the frugality of four-cylinder diesel vehicles in the U.S., and Audi/VW have their own diesels and a small turbo four .

That leaves BMW out in the cold, and with that company's curb weights and displacements only on the rise (witness the latest round of thirsty twin-turbo sixes and eights in hefty new entries like the X6 and new 7-series), even if their premium buyers don't mind the the shock at the pump, the automaker faces an anti-environmental image that just doesn't jibe in this day and age of the rich and famous wheeling around in Priuses.--Colin Mathews

We're getting closer to the opening days of the 2008 Paris Auto Show--and since iCal must be served, we're updating our Paris show preview today with the latest nuggets of news.

The Paris Auto Show has a unique place in our hearts; it's where we got the background on the Ford-Firestone debacle and lost approximately 40 pounds in water weight, since the Mondiale de l'Expo hall has no air conditioning. It's also been the platform on which some very important cars have been launched to the media and the world, cars like the Audi R8, the Ford Mondeo, the current MINI Cooper and, er, the Dodge Avenger.

Since we're already looking forward to Paris, it's only right that you should get in on some of the excitement. Here's the first batch of cars we're expecting to see in some form or another on the outskirts of town, down at the Porte de Versailles. TheCarConnection.com will be on hand when the show opens to the media on October 2.

Until then, soak up a little joie de vivre with these debutantes:

2010 Chevrolet Volt (concept, above)
It hasn't been officially confirmed, but the GM hybrid vehicle is rumored to be making its bow in Paris, after a splashy intro next month at an event celebrating GM's centennial on September 16th. (However, Chevrolet's plan to introduce the Cruze in Paris could mean an L.A. auto show debut for the Volt.) In recent days, the first images of the Volt have surfaced--with interiors, too--and GM has even let some details slip in its carefully orchestrated roll-out of the new vehicle. The $40,000-plus Volt is expected to enter production at the end of 2009, so it could wear a 2011 model-year tag. We'll have more for you in the coming weeks.

Honda small hybrid family
At the last Paris auto show in 2006, Honda showed a hybrid coupe concept called the CR-Z. This year in Paris, the automaker's expected to unveil at least one member of a new family of hybrids that will include a Prius-fighting hatchback, to be priced below Toyota's popular all-hybrid model.

2011 Chevrolet Cruze
The new Cruze compact, GM says, "was developed by a global design and engineering team and will be built in multiple locations around the world." At 4.6 meters long--or 181.1 inches--it's a fraction of an inch longer than today's Cobalt. GM also says it will offer "ample interior space and cargo capacity for five passengers, giving it an advantage over competition in the compact segment." It will also sport the new global themes for Chevrolet design, from the bow tie on back. It arrives in American showrooms in 2010.

2010 Lexus IS Convertible
A new hardtop convertible for Toyota's upscale brand, the Lexus IS convertible is based on the four-door sedan that emerged in 2006. No hardtop coupe version is planned in this generation, but the convertible is expected to be offered in Is 250 and IS 350 versions.


Audi A6 and RS6
The 2009 Audi A6 already has been shown at the Moscow auto show, but it's also coming to Paris. Audi released photos and details of the updated A6 earlier this month, describing its more efficient engines, improved suspension tuning, and upgraded Multi-Media Interface (MMI) controller. The RS6, meanwhile, ditches the V-8s of lesser A6 derivatives for a 5.0-liter V-10 with twin turbocharged and quattro all-wheel drive. Audi says it draws 580 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque from the engine, which it teams with a six-speed automatic transmission with quicker shift reflexes. Quattro, in this setting, gets its power biased toward the rear for more agile handling. Audi promises acceleration to 60 mph in less than 4.5 seconds and a top speed of 174 mph.

BMW 7-Series
BMW has de-Bangled the big 7 Series somewhat for 2009, and refined its iDrive controller and its interior. It sports a new tail, a markedly cleaner interior, and a more refined silhouette. The new 7er will bow in Paris along with an ActiveHybrid version that could significantly boost fuel economy in the big sedan.

Ferrari California
Ferrari's first folding-hardtop car will get a splashy, no doubt overattended press conference in Paris's steamy Expo. A new 4.3-liter V-8 powers the California, and Ferrari promises it'll develop 460 horsepower and have "a torque curve that enhances vehicle dynamics and provides maximum driving pleasure which is typical for Ferrari." Teamed to a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox, the engine will push the California to 60 mph in less than 4 seconds.

Kia Soul
After a long trip around the auto show circuit as a "concept," the 2009 Kia Soul gets its worldwide coming-out bash in Paris. Few details have been confirmed on the production version of the Soul, but Kia promises that owners will be able to customize their Soul "through a variety of options, accessories and colors."

BMW X1
Months ago, BMW confirmed that it was working on a small, new crossover vehicle. There's talk that a concept for the coming 2011 BMW X1 will show up at the Paris Auto Show and that the production version will bow at the 2009 Frankfurt Auto Show. An eight-speed automatic transmission may be teamed to a new range of direct-injection turbocharged four- and six-cylinder engines. The new X1 will be built by Magna Steyr in Austria.

Audi S4
Audi's new S4 range will ditch its V-8 engine in favor of a new 3.0-liter V-6 with twin turbochargers. Coupled to quattro all-wheel drive and a seven-speed dual-clutch S-tronic transmission, the new S4 and S4 Avant should pose a more serious threat to the BMW M3 range.

MINI Crossman
The new MINI crossover, which may or may not wear the Crossman badge, could make its inaugural appearance in Paris. Essentially a Clubman wagon with four-wheel drive, the Crossman shares its mechanicals with the BMW X1, including new engines and its off-road system.

TheCarConnection.com's spy photographers have snapped these photos of the 2010 BMW X3, in its clearest form yet--albeit with some crazy LSD-head vinyl coating applied to its new panels.

With the new GLK from Mercedes on the market and Audi's Q5 just days from the showroom, BMW is said to be accelerating the development of the new model so that it doesn't lose share to the new German mini utes.

These new photos show the prototype complete with the real headlamps and the real rear lights. The new X3 will just be slightly longer then the current one, but will have a much roomier interior. The styling leans more in the direction of the X5, and a new rear door shape is plainly visible on these mules.

To make sure its premium position is preserved, there will be plenty of gizmos to order in the 2010 X3. Night vision, head-up display, bi-xenon adaptive headlights, and seats with ventilation and massage are just some of the new options expected on the new SUV.

As far as running gear, we expect four diesels ranging from 177 horsepower up to 299 horsepower. Two gas engines will offer 231 and 306 horsepower, and both will be teamed with BMW's six-speed automatic.

All is nicht so gut at BMW this afternoon, where some 200,000 vehicles are being recalled for airbags that might not deploy in an accident.

The Associated Press reports the recall affects the 2004-2006 BMW X3 (the current model's shown here), as well as the same years of the 5 Series and the 2006 BMW 3 Series. In those vehicles, the front passenger airbag may not go off as planned, if the detector built into the front passenger seat cracks and does not properly signal the airbag into action.

BMW says no injuries nor any accidents have been attributed to the issue. A formal safety recall means the problem will be fixed free of charge for affected owners.

BMW's next-generation 3-Series is little different on the outside, but there's change under the hood--and change in the iDrive system that's found in some versions.

Late last week, BMW released these first shots of the new 3-Series, which gets the mildest of exterior makeovers. New versions of the 3-Series also get a spiffier interior; these shots show more wood interior trim, new steering-wheel designs, and some relocated controls.

For the 3-Series vehicles that have it, the iDrive is significantly updated for the 2009 model-year 3-Series. The wheel controller is now flanked by new buttons that give shortcuts to the operator for major functions like audio and climate control--a knockoff of the superior, but still sometimes frustrating MMI controller in Audis.

The new 3-Series also will be available with Google mapping services that are sent through Internet connections directly to the car's navigation systems in a service now called "ConnectedDrive."

The most important 3-Series news is the arrival this fall of diesel-powered versions, which TheCarConnection.com reported on earlier this month. However, the new 3-Series also gets a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission; it's only offered in the coupe and convertible models, initially.

We'll have more on the new 3-Series soon--stay tuned for TheCarConnection.com's first drive in the diesel edition later this year.