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

In yet another computerized bit of mobile wizardry that is sure to take drivers' eyes off the road, a Mac aficionado has developed software for the iPhone called Mobileyes. The application helps commuters avoid rush hour traffic by viewing live traffic camera feeds on the fly and right on the screen of an iPhone.

Currently, the application works only in selected areas of major American cities. These include Detroit, Hartford, Houston, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Knoxville, Los Angeles, New York, and Washington, D.C. More cities are in the works.

We tried using the app--while sitting at our desk--to check out the traffic on Detroit's I-94 heading west through Inkster, and it looked just lovely. Periodic updates refreshed the screen, with a lovely ad interstitial that showed Detroit TV anchor Huel Perkins. Gotta pay the bills, Fox5.

However, iPhone phreaks and other handheld abusers are likely to put this feature into use while driving. Unlike navigation systems that require lots of pushbuttoning, the iPhone version is easy to click through while driving--which means you'll use it that much more often. With cities such as Los Angeles now cracking down on talking and texting while driving, Mobileyes adds to the debate on the number of in-car distractions facing the modern driver.

Visit 3rd Dimension, Inc.'s site to learn more--and tell us in a comment if you've tried it and found it useful, or if you're in the hospital as a result.

Via Geekologie

To those of you who routinely juggle multiple devices or are addicted to staying in touch while in the driver’s seat, all while commuting with a Slurpee wedged into the cupholder and a burger on your lap, I have to admit that my initial reaction is one of exasperation. Not in my neighborhood, not in my rearview mirror. Seriously people, concentrate on the road!

But we all have the need to use these devices from time to time, and there are are some widely varying rules out there regarding cellphones. You could be out in the middle of nowhere with no traffic and nothing but cornfields or desert 360 degrees and be pulled over for checking in on the family for a sec.

Some states ban talking while driving outright; others — such as Maine — enforce a talking-while-driving ban for minors only. But then there are other, even more confusing rules. For instance in Washington state, at this time texting while driving is banned, but a talking ban still isn’t in effect (we still can’t figure out how they can enforce that one), and other states leave it up to local governments, which can lead to a Wild West, speed-trap revenue-grubbing mentality in some select small towns.

If you're about to go on a road trip in the States or abroad and unsure about the local rules, or not even sure of your own local rules, we've found some easier answers, thanks to the link aggregation site boingboing, which today directed us to a list of cellphone-related laws by state and country.

How do you feel about talking while driving? Even with the best new integrated hands-free interfaces, is it safe? And are these statewide cellphone rules lifesaving or silly?

One of the most interesting features in BMW's 2008 lineup comes not under the hood of the new M3 coupe, nor the 128i Convertible, nor the 135i coupe. It's embedded in the dash--factory-installed HD Radio.

While the rest of the auto industry has installed satellite radio at a blazing pace, BMW took a slower path with Sirius satellite radio. But in terms of HD radio, it's the unqualified earliest adopter. For 2008, HD Radio is a $500 option across the lineup, and I listened to it for the first time while waiting for my M3 laps at California's Laguna Seca racetrack.

HD Radio is pretty simple: it takes the new digital signals sent out by AM and FM stations and feeds them through your car's audio system, making the old hissy analog signal obsolete. What's more, HD Radio enables stations to multicast. Your favorite soul station might keep a mainstream channel, while adding a new stream of '70s funk or a third feed of Stax-only tracks. Beyond that, the digital signal sends information to the radio's head unit, so you get a satellite-like display of song titles, artists, music categories, and more.

More than 1100 stations are broadcasting their signals in HD. And for fans of talk radio, hearing Laura Ingraham in clear tones is a treat. While I'm not one to pay $12.95 for a satellite radio subscription (I don't need to hear Stern every day to feel plugged into the global media outlet), I'd surely choose an HD option in my next car, or at least opt for the aftermarket add-on.

IBiquity, the company that developed HD Radio and is licensing it out, says it has big plans for the service, including real-time traffic reports (like those on XM); surround sound; and the most obvious thing I've been waiting for in radio since before TiVo--a time-shift feature that will record favorite programs for the next time you're driving. And while BMW's the first manufacturer to take HD Radio mainstream, iBiquity says 13 automakers are set to launch receivers in their cars soon.

Until then, you can get a complete list of HD-broadcasting stations at the HD Radio Web site, and you can find aftermarket HD Radio systems at major big-box retailers like Best Buy or Amazon.

Over at People magazine online, they’re asking about lip gloss and diet tips and the latest Lindsay sighting--while you’re telling us about future cars, fuel economy, the environment and politics. Yep, we here at TheCarConnection.com have the smartest readers on the planet and we have the words to prove it.

This month’s comments on our blog have given us reason to hope that Ford’s new Taurus has some interested shoppers still out there--and that we’re doing the right thing when we hound the OEMs about “embargoed” stories. And when it comes to getting busy in a smart fortwo, well, we think we’re far ahead of the curve in thinking about the new minicar in family-planning terms. See what we mean?

First up is Ford’s semi-venerable Taurus. The Detroit media reported that Ford CEO Alan Mulally confirmed that a new Taurus would be on the way next year. But wait: what do people want from the Taurus anyway? Harry told us, “Bring back a high performance sport sedan version like the SHO–I believe there is a core group of loyal Ford enthusiasts who would welcome an opportunity to carry the Ford banner in something other than a Mustang or a truck and done correctly it should attract new, younger enthusiasts/ buyers from the foreign competition.”

Then, when photos of the new Dodge Challenger started appearing around the Web, weeks before an official appearance at the Chicago auto show, we explained how automakers sometimes ask us to hold information on embargo so the monthly print magazines can prepare their stories--and how in some cases, they simply hand the “buff books” stories without involving any other media. Brian said: “I find embargoes an odd concept. Agreeing to an ‘embargo’ indicates some level of collusion between the manufacturer and the publisher and therefore calls into question how objective the reporting itself is. I presume that violating an embargo means a news outlet may find itself on the outs when it comes to being a part of the next preview. Wouldn’t bad reviews of the product do the same thing?” You can see the original item for our comments. Meanwhile, Jon told us the print magazines don’t even matter anymore. “That is why I let my magazine subscriptions lapse. What is the point anymore? TCC has the news I need when it happens.”

Next, we got into a semantic war with a tire-industry spokesman over new rules for safer, more fuel-efficient tires. Jim Smith, the editor of Tire Review, told us that our “poor research, supporting data and flippant attitude is one of the main reasons consumers have so little factual information and help with their automotive problems and concerns. Suggest in the future that you consult with an expert before you go spouting off with your ‘expertise.’” Scot chimed in on our behalf: “While I compliment the thoroughness of your reply, readers should note that Tire Review Magazine is an industry mouthpiece. The following comment calls into question the validity of your entire commentary.”

And lastly, we wondered openly how the next generation of horny teenagers might not benefit from the smart fortwo’s lack of a back seat. Another Brian told us succinctly: “A better car for a teenager is an old Volvo 240: Safe, slow and cheap.”