BMW 3 Series gets new engines

Powerplants deliver more of everything, apparently

By PH Staff / Friday, 11 August 2006 / Loading comments

BMW 3-Series Coupe

BMW is introducing three new six-cylinder powerplants into the BMW 3 Series range for September 2006. The most popular model in the BMW portfolio will house a new twin-turbo 3.0-litre petrol engine, to be badged 335i, and a single turbocharged diesel engine called the 325d. Joining them is what BMW called "the most powerful diesel ever to power a BMW in the UK" - a twin-turbocharged 2,993cc engine with 286hp.

The heart of the new 335i is a light alloy engine is fitted with two turbochargers, each one feeding three cylinders, and high-precision direct injection technology to produce 306bhp and 295lb-ft of torque. BMW reckons that the twin turbo layout -- and it's been decades since there were turbos in a petrol-powered Beemer -- give it a flat torque curve with almost no lag.

The 335i saloon hits 62mph in 5.6 seconds from rest, while the Touring returns 5.7 seconds, with the top speed of both cars electronically limited to 155mph. It achieves 29.4mpg on the combined cycle and records an emissions figure of 231g/km, while the Touring records 28.8mpg and 235g/km respectively.

Model	Power (hp)	Torque (Nm)	Zero–62 mph	Top Speed (mph)	Combined mpg	Emissions (g/km)
BMW 325d Saloon	197	400	7.4	146	44.1	171
BMW 325d Touring	197	400	7.6	145	42.8	176
BMW 335i Saloon	306	400	5.6	155	29.4	231
BMW 335i Touring	306	400	5.7	155	28.8	235
BMW 335d Saloon	286	580	6.2	155	37.7	200
BMW 335d Touring	286	580	6.3	155	36.7	205
BMW 335d Coupé	286	580	6.1	155	37.7	200

Turbocharged diesels

The new 286hp 335d will be available in the 3 Series Saloon, Touring and Coupé models from September 2006.

The new 335d also uses twin turbo technology but laid out differently. It uses two different-sized sequential units so, at low engine speeds, the smaller turbocharger is effective immediately, producing 95 per cent of the available torque at just 1,500rpm. By 1,750rpm maximum torque of 428lb-ft is delivered and, as the engine speed heads towards 4,400rpm, maximum horsepower of 286bhp is achieved as a result of the induction air now being compressed by the larger turbocharger.

This enables the 335d Coupé to power from zero to 62mph in 6.1 seconds while the Saloon and Touring versions take 6.2 and 6.3 seconds respectively. All three models, fitted as standard with a six-speed automatic gearbox with steering wheel-mounted paddles for an alternative method of gear change, are electronically-limited to a top speed of 155mph.

BMW 325d

The single turbocharged BMW 325d comes in Saloon and Touring variants for moderate performance and good consumption figures. The 197bhp car records a combined consumption figure of 44.1mpg for the Saloon and 42.8mpg for the Touring. Corporate buyers will be further cheered by the CO2 emissions figure of 171g/km and 176g/km for the Saloon and Touring respectively – figures that see both fall into a relatively low Benefit in Kind tax rating.

The 3.0-litre engined 325d Saloon accelerates from zero to 62mph in 7.4 seconds before going on to a top speed of 146mph. The 325d Touring hits 62mph in 7.6 seconds and has a top speed of 145mph.

Saloon and coupé prices start at £27,310 for the 325d SE and range up to £35,475 for the 335d SE Coupé. Touring prices range from £28,490 to £36,905.