No BMW better signifies the marque than the 3 Series, whether sedan, coupe or convertible. But what of the Compact, the unloved and discontinued stepchild that failed here in the States?

No need to assign blame, as the dealers and their sticker-loading, the BMW management that pulled the plug just when the market for hatchbacks showed signs of heating up, and the tepid four-cylinder-powered car itself are all equally deserving. Water under the bridge, as the 1995-1999 318ti is now just another used car. But in the rest of the world, the ti lives on in a completely new package, introduced this past summer. It’s no secret that Mercedes’ introduction of the C230 Sports Coupe has left Bavarian product planners wondering if they were hasty in yanking their hatchback—and remiss in not offering the new Compact here in the United States.

is the BMW hatchback ready for a return to America? This depends greatly on specification and price, but it’s safe to say that the car is not lacking in 3 Series-ness. The American buying public, on the other hand, might be lacking enthusiasm. By merely “bringing it up to spec,” BMW has created a Compact that’s really just a body-style variation on the three existing 3 Series models. That’s good—but might not be enough to convince U.S. consumers, people who are already buying BMWs of all sizes and shapes in droves, to make an investment in a style of car with inherently less cachet. As the aforementioned Mercedes hatch features some stunningly beautiful lines and a retractable glass roof that’s unlike anything available at that price, the BMW Compact needs something more to differentiate it from the rest of the 3 Series line, as well as its competition. In effect, it should answer the question, “Why not just buy the sedan?”

For a U.S.-market re-entry, BMW should use the Compact model to create a sportier, though still less-expensive 3 Series variant. An aero kit, sport seats, a short shifter and an exhaust that rumbles like an M3 would be a good start.