Big changes are afoot inside BMW's perennial sports sedan, although it's not necessarily obvious from the reports around the Web. The 2009 BMW 3-Series will receive a diesel powertrain option, some front and rear fascia updates, new mirrors, and new interior options, according to AutoWeek. But it's what's inside that could be music to tech enthusiast's ears.

The 2009 BMW 3 Series interior will have a series of new trim combinations along with a revised driver's side armrest with new power window controls. The iDrive system, meanwhile, will receive a new 8.8-inch, high-resolution color LCD screen, ConnectedDrive Internet access, a new iDrive controller with four extra buttons, and an 80GB internal hard disk to store satellite maps and MP3 files. In other words, BMW is trickling down some 7-Series technology to this car.

The 2009 version will arrive in showrooms this coming October. One month later we'll see the diesel powertrain version—called the 335d,—which will feature a 3.0-liter twin-turbo, 265-hp, inline-six and a urea-injection system to meet U.S. emissions standards. Unfortunately, the diesel will only come in one configuration: a sedan with the automatic. The regular car will continue to be available in both sedan and wagon versions, with a 6-speed manual standard and the automatic as an option.