Autoblog

New BMW 328i actually more fuel efficient than old 335d diesel

Zach Bowman — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 13:01:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Performance, Technology, BMW, Diesel, Luxury

Saying automotive journalists like diesel sedans is like arguing the color pink is going to do well with the 5-year-old-girl demographic this quarter. You're not going to find too many dissenting voices. So, it should be no surprise that we love ourselves some BMW 335d. With plenty of power and impressive fuel economy, the outgoing diesel is a mechanical wonder child. And yet, thanks to the new F30-generation BMW 328i, with its 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine produces 240 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, there's some competition for the title of most fuel efficient 3 Series.

Admittedly, the 328i's numbers are a far cry from the 265 ponies and 425 lb-ft of torque cranked out by the diesel-fueled 3.0-liter inline six in the 335d. Even so, the 2012 328i is considerably lighter and more aerodynamic. It also boasts a next-generation transmission, which helps the car get to 60 mph one tenth of a second quicker than the old 335d. That's surprising, but not nearly as surprising as the fact that the 328i manages 1 mpg better than the diesel in the combined cycle. According to the EPA's just-released figures, the 328i nets 24 miles per gallon in the city and an impressive 36 mpg on the highway. The 335i? 23 mpg city and 36 highway.

We'll give you a moment to pick up your jaw from the floor. Now all BMW needs to do, as Automobile points out, is drop a diesel four-cylinder behind the headlights of the 3 Series to go after even bigger green credentials. Fingers crossed.

New BMW 328i actually more fuel efficient than old 335d diesel originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 01 Feb 2012 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2012 BMW 3 Series configurator powers up [UPDATE]

Chris Shunk — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 18:59:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Coupe, Sedan, Wagon, BMW

The all-new 2012 BMW 3 Series is scheduled to hit U.S. BMW dealerships in February, which makes now a good time to option up our dream Bimmer. The 3 Series configurator reveals 15 different 3 Series models from which to choose, including coupe, convertible, sedan and Wagon variants, plus a choice of a four- and six-cylinder gas engines, along with a diesel model and available all-wheel drive. However, only the 328i and 335i rear-wheel-drive sedans are new 2012 models, while the coupes, diesel-powered 335d, any all-wheel-drive model and the M3 are all still based on the prior generation 3 Series and listed as 2011 models.

The all-new for 2012 328i Sedan starts out at $34,900 (plus $895 destination), but just a few options sends the MSRP skyward. Buyers can choose from the Luxury Line model ($2,100), Modern Line ($2,100) or Sport Line ($2,500), plus six option packages that offer everything from enhanced safety technology to an upgraded sound system.

Step up to the 335i Sedan and expect to pay $42,400 (plus $895 destination). The 335i also comes with the choice of Sport Line, Modern Line and Luxury line, but the price tag for those trim levels falls to $1,700, $1,400 and $1,400, respectively. The diesel-powered 335d starts out at $44,150, and the 328i and 335i coupes (still based on the outgoing model generation) start at $38,700 and $45,100, respectively. Head over to the BMW website to price out a new 3 Series for yourself.

UPDATE: Clarification added about which 3 Series models are all new for the 2012 model year.

2012 BMW 3 Series configurator powers up [UPDATE] originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 19 Jan 2012 18:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2012 BMW 3 Series priced from $35,795*

Noah Joseph — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 14:16:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, BMW, Luxury

Have you been waiting for the new BMW 3 Series to come around? Well the wait is over. The sixth generation of the quintessential sport sedan is upon us, and now we've got the pricing to go with it.

BMW of North America has placed the base MSRP for the four-cylinder 328i at $35,795, and the six-cylinder 335i at $43,295 - inclusive of destination charges(*). While these prices represent a $320 and $370 respective increase over the models they replace, BMW is adamant that the jump is worth it.

Not only has the 3 Series sedan been substantially redesigned, it also packs a higher level of equipment. That includes cabin gadgets like a 6.5-inch dashboard display screen for the iDrive system, as well as Bluetooth, USB and iPod connectivity, but also the latest enviro-tech like regenerative braking and stop/start engine management. Follow the jump for the official announcement.

Continue reading 2012 BMW 3 Series priced from $35,795*

2012 BMW 3 Series priced from $35,795* originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 23 Nov 2011 14:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2012 BMW 3 Series [w/video]

Matt Davis — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 11:57:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Performance, BMW, First Drives, Design/Style, Luxury

A New Generation Of Accolades Begins Right Here

You have to know you're a bit of an icon when your reputation and sales dominance are essentially intact after six generations. We can debate that statement from all sorts of angles in regards to the BMW 3 Series, but the bottom line is that this sedan is still the one to beat. So, after our long-awaited first drive in BMW's new F30, we ask: Does it still deliver the winning recipe for the entry-level luxury buyer?

The Audi A4, Mercedes-Benz C-Class, Lexus IS, Infiniti G, Acura TL and upcoming Cadillac ATS will not be denied, and the 3 Series doesn't enjoy quite the commanding lead it once did. On the other hand, over 12.5 million total sales for The Almighty Three since 1975 is nothing to be sniffed at.

When talking about the sort of high performance testing that we crave, initial drives like this can only go so far in satisfying. That's because we had the chance to drive two meat-of-the-sales-figures trims at this Barcelona, Spain launch: the new 320d Efficient Dynamics turbo diesel and the 328i with new TwinPower Turbo in-line four-cylinder.

We chose to focus hard on the 328i since it's confirmed that we'll get this 241-horsepower model along with the 302-hp 335i this February. The only other model slated for the U.S. is the 335-hp ActiveHybrid 3, arriving sometime during summer 2012. As to the future of turbo diesel power in the States, BMW North America has said it is quite keen to bring over either or both the 320d and a future 330/335d, though no firm decisions have been made.

Continue reading 2012 BMW 3 Series [w/video]

2012 BMW 3 Series [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 18 Nov 2011 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BMW announces start of new 3 Series production

Zach Bowman — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 13:02:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Coupe, Sedan, Wagon, Europe, Plants/Manufacturing, BMW, Luxury

BMW has announced that production of the sixth-generation 3 Series has officially begun at its Munich manufacturing facility. The automaker invested around €500 million - over $700M USD - in the plant in preparation for the new model; a move that BMW says secured around 9,000 jobs. A portion of those funds went toward the purchase of a new press that can operate at speeds of up to 17 strokes per minute and process up to 600 tons of steel per day. The automaker says that the machine can handle the equivalent of all of the metal in the Eiffel Tower in just 12 days.

The new technology is part of the recipe that BMW says will allow the plant to produce around 680 units per day in as little as three months from the start of production. That figure will place the plant's total output at over 900 units per day. Surprisingly enough, that volume occurs in a space of just 700,000 square feet across five floors, making for an incredibly dense work space. Hit the jump for the press release.

Continue reading BMW announces start of new 3 Series production

BMW announces start of new 3 Series production originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 28 Oct 2011 13:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2012 BMW 3 Series unveiled [w/video]

John Neff — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 11:15:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Sedan, Performance, BMW, Luxury

The BMW 3 Series has been the most lauded sport sedan in the world for longer than we can remember. Worthy competitors pop up, only to fall short of beating this benchmark - often by some subjective measure that can't be quantified. So it's a big deal when the 3 Series is up for a clean-sheet redesign. Not one to refuse a challenge, BMW has stepped up to the task of redesigning its best-selling vehicle and came up with this, the redesigned 2012 BMW 3 Series.

BMW clearly wanted to bring the design of the new 3 Series more in-line with the look of its other new cars, mainly the 5, 6 and 7 Series. To that end, the most visible difference is up front, where the car's nose has grown in size. Likely a nod to European safety standards that require taller hoods for pedestrian safety, the 3 Series' new schnoz is both taller and wider than before. The new, larger twin-kidney grille is also no longer separated from the headlights, which are also bigger. Instead, the grille surrounds meet a small portion of the lights to create the impression of a more unified front fascia. It looks a bit like the 5 Series, but also appears to draw inspiration from the forthcoming i8. The new 3 Series looks most familiar, from the side while the new rear end shows off the car's larger trunk.

Continue reading 2012 BMW 3 Series unveiled [w/video]

2012 BMW 3 Series unveiled [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 14 Oct 2011 11:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BMW recalls history of 3 Series in new video series ahead of Friday's next-gen reveal

Zach Bowman — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 12:30:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Coupe, Sedan, Performance, Europe, Videos, BMW, Luxury

BMW is busily drumming up buzz ahead of the launch of the next-generation 3 Series. The company has released a slew of brief videos depicting the sketch work behind the vehicle's predecessors. Unfortunately, there's not much to the short clips beyond some pencil lines and a still image robbed from old PR photos, but the videos do a smart enough job underscoring the evolution of BMW design over the decades. BMW is set to pull the sheets off of the next interpretation of the company's midsized fighter this Friday, October 14 via a live webcast. For more information, feel free to check out the company's Facebook page.

Our spy photographers have already given us a pretty clear glimpse of what the vehicle will look like when it debuts, but we're still itching to hear details on future engine options. The rumormill has been kicking full force on the possibility of an ActiveHybrid version of the 3 Series as well as a turbocharged four-cylinder model. Hit the jump to check out the gaggle of videos for yourself.

Continue reading BMW recalls history of 3 Series in new video series ahead of Friday's next-gen reveal

BMW recalls history of 3 Series in new video series ahead of Friday's next-gen reveal originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 11 Oct 2011 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Attention, Canadians: BMW wants you to drive 8 of its cars in 120 minutes... for free

Chris Shunk — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 08:29:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Coupe, Sedan, BMW, Canada

The BMW 3 Series is one of the most fun cars to drive for under $50,000, and if you live near Toronto, Montreal or Vancouver, you may be eligible to try out the entire lineup at no cost to you. BMW is inviting select Canadian registrants to drive all flavors of the 3 Series for two hours and compare them to the competition from Lexus, Audi and Mercedes. The fun won't be relegated to yourself, either, as BMW encourages you to bring a friend along, as well. The goal, obviously, is to sell more BMWs, so the German automaker will pick only registrants that are found worthy (or able to afford) a fine piece of German engineering. In other words, if you're 19 and currently driving a Dodge Neon, don't wait by the mailbox.

The BMW train stops in Vancouver from April 17-19, in Montreal from May 8-10, and in Toronto from May 29-31 and June 5-7. More information, including registration information, can be found on the BMW Canada website.

[Source: BMW via AutoNorth]

Attention, Canadians: BMW wants you to drive 8 of its cars in 120 minutes... for free originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 16 Mar 2009 08:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BMW 335i and 328i sedans priced

Alex Nunez — Sun, 17 Sep 2006 13:55:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, BMW

BMW has posted the pricing info for the 2007 335i and 328i sedans. The 328i with its 3.0 liter, 230-horsepower I6 starts with an MSRP of $32,400. The car likely to garner the lion's share of attention, however, is the new 335i sedan, which gets the new 3-liter twin-turbo six-cylinder underhood. In case anyone needed reminding, that puppy's good for 300 horses and 300 lb-ft of torque. Like the 335i coupe, the turbo sedan gets dual exhaust outlets, tipping others off to the nature of the beast underhood.

Pricing for the 335i 4-door kicks off at $38,700, a price you can easily tack another $10K onto if you decide to option it up with all the toys. The same goes for the 328i. You can play around with the "build your own" app at bmwusa.com to see what you come up with. Have fun!

[Source:BMW USA]

BMW 335i and 328i sedans priced originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 17 Sep 2006 13:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: BMW 3-Series Coupe a whole new car

Erin Mays — Sat, 12 Aug 2006 17:27:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Videos, BMW

BMW has finally released official information about its 2007 3-series coupe, which will get an all-wheel drive version and a top model with a twin-turbocharged inline six -- BMW's first turbocharged engine in a mighty long time. And check out the above video to see just how much the 3-Series Coupe design differs from its sedan counterpart.

The 328i starts off the lineup at $39,995 including destination and offers up a 230 hp 2.8L inline six mated to a six-speed manual transmission. The BMW 328xi, priced at 37,795, is the first 3-series coupe to offer the all-wheel drive option -- something BMW has been doing a lot more of now that Americans have gone wussy on the whole rear-wheel drive thing (we can't drive them in the snow).

The real piece of work is the 335i. The 300 hp 3.0L inline six under the hood puts out 300 lb-ft of torque, and each of its turbochargers supports three cylinders with minimal lag, according to the manufacturer. Can't wait for the M3? The 335i is no small potatoes with a 0-60 time of 5.3 seconds with the six-speed.

[Source: BMW]

VIDEO: BMW 3-Series Coupe a whole new car originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 12 Aug 2006 17:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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