The BMW 328i Coupe - Automatic was a variant of the E36 BMW 3 Series that was introduced for the 1996 model year. The 328i was powered by BMW's M52B28 engine, which was a 2.8L inline six with an output of 190hp and 207 lb ft of torque. Initially, power from the engine was sent to the rear wheels via a 4 speed manual transmission, but a 5 speed transmission was used from 1998. The E36 328i Coupe was not sold in North America as BMW sold the E36 328is in that market. Production of the automatic equipped E36 BMW 328i Coupe lasted until 1999, but the model series continued in the next generation of 3 Series as the E46 BMW 328i.