Click pic for high rez
version
Automotive media the world over have managed to snap spy pic after pic of the Bavarian
Motor Werks’ upcoming 3-Series Coupe. Last week three official pics of the car were even leaked on the web ahead of its
official release.
Despite the official pics going public ahead of schedule, BMW managed to protect the best
secret about its new two-door 3-Series Coupe. When the new car goes on sale in Europe on September 23rd it will be
available with a twin-turbo 3.0L six-cylinder engine. The boosted six will develop 306 hp and 295 ft-lbs. of torque,
which will propel the coupe to 62 in 5.5 seconds. Each small turbo powers three cylinders each and spools it quickly on
account of its size and provides force-fed assistance all the way to the engine’s lofty 7,000 rpm redline.
The car itself weights 22 lbs. less than the sedan and the 335i SE’s twin-turbo six weighs 155 lbs. less
than a comparably powerful V8. The engine also gets direct injection technology for kicks.
Not to be
forgotten is the entry-level 325i SE Coupe, which gets a 2.5L inline-six making 218 hp and 184 ft-lbs. of torque.
That’s still good for a sub 7-second blast to 62 mph.
Follow the jump for BMW’s official press
release on the new 3-Series Coupe that reveals even more details. Click on any of this post’s nine official pics for a
super high-rez version.
The new BMW 3 Series Coupé
04/21/2006
Heralding the
dawn of a new era in engine technology, BMW’s all new 3 Series Coupé range goes on sale in the UK on 23
September 2006. The third generation of compact coupé marks the introduction of the first ever twin-turbo
petrol-powered engine in a production BMW as well as pioneering Direct Injection technology. Two models will be
available at launch.
Model OTR Price Power (HP) Torque
(Nm) Acceleration (0 – 62mph) Top Speed (Mph) Combined
cons. (Mpg)
BMW 325i SE Coupé £28,090 218
250 6.9 153 33.6
BMW 335i SE Coupé
£33,420 306 400 5.5 155
29.7
Designed for sporting elegance
Despite its close
technical ties with the 3 Series Saloon and Touring variants, designers set out with the goal of differentiating the
two-door model more than its predecessors. From the front, side and rear, the car is clearly related to other 3 Series
models but has its own, classically elongated, shape. Adopting BMW’s typical Coupé proportions of long
wheelbase, short overhangs, long bonnet, cabin set to the rear and a low, sleek roofline, the new 3 Series Coupé
has an elegant profile.
Key highlights in exterior design are the kidney grilles and restyled headlamps
that give a bold yet elegant frontal view. At the rear, the broad rear lights use horizontal light rods with bright LED
illumination to accentuate the low, wide appearance of the rear of the car.
Another change from the other
models in the 3 Series range is the use of lightweight materials in the body construction in the Coupé. While
all 3 Series models use Tailored Blanks that increase panel thickness where structural rigidity is needed, and reduces
thickness where it’s not, the Coupé variant also uses plastics in construction. As a result of the
lightweight plastic front wings used on the 3 Series Coupé the new car is an average 10kgs lighter than the
Saloon variant.
Twin-turbo in-line six-cylinder
The all-new
Coupé bodyshell clothes the twin-turbo 3.0-litre engine in the new BMW 335i SE that develops 306hp and 400Nm of
torque between 1,300 – 5,000rpm. With such performance statistics, the 335i forms the pinnacle of the new 3 Series
range.
The 335i SE Coupé accelerates from zero to 62mph in 5.5 seconds, and, if left unchecked,
would travel on to an electronically-limited top speed of 155mph. This level of performance is made possible by two
turbochargers, each supplying compressed air to three cylinders each. The use of two smaller units ensures that the
turbochargers react more quickly to changes in the throttle position all the way to the 7,000rpm red line while also
eliminating the previous scourge of turbocharged engines – ‘turbo lag’.
The
turbocharged engine is also considerably lighter than a normally aspirated powerplant of equal power. In the case of
the 335i, the new twin-turbo six-cylinder engine weighs approximately 70kgs less than an eight-cylinder engine of
corresponding performance. This weight advantage benefits both fuel economy and weight distribution.
BMW’s all new high-precision Direct Injection system also aids these high levels of performance while also
benefiting economy. Piezo injectors, located centrally in the combustion chamber between the inlet and exhaust valves,
deliver atomised fuel in a conical burst into the chamber to ensure a smooth, efficient burn.
Piezo
crystal injectors work when an electrical current is passed through the crystal to create a very precise and consistent
fuel delivery. The result? Only the exact volume of fuel required is delivered into the combustion chamber on each cycle
guaranteeing that all the vapourised mixture is burnt. This method of injection also serves to aid combustion chamber
cooling, thus offering a higher compression ratio. As a consequence, the new car delivers an average fuel consumption
of 29.7mpg on the combined cycle.
Entry-level six-cylinder
At the launch in September, the new 325i SE Coupé will form the entry point to the range. Delivering 218hp and
250Nm of torque from its 2.5-litre in-line six-cylinder engine, zero to 62mph is achieved in 6.9 seconds and the top
speed is 153mph. However, performance does not compromise economy with the 325i SE Coupé delivering 33.6mpg on
the combined cycle. This is made possible thanks to BMW’s patented VALVETRONIC variable induction technology and
VANOS variable valve timing that, when combined, balance the requirements of performance and economy.
This level of economy is also made possible as a result of a number of weight and power saving measures in the engine.
The 325i Coupé is the latest BMW to benefit from the magnesium – aluminium composite cylinder block first
seen on the BMW 630i in Spring 2004. The lightweight combination of materials reduces the overall mass of the car and
helps achieve the near-perfect 50:50 front-to-rear weight distribution for improved handling.
Finally,
the 2.5-litre engine uses an electrically-powered water pump. This not only eliminates the engine power normally needed
to drive a conventional crankshaft driven unit but also reduces the engine heat-up time to improve engine efficiency and
occupant comfort.
Gearbox options
All new BMW 3 Series
Coupé models come with a close ratio six-speed manual gearbox as standard. Those drivers who prefer the
convenience of an automatic transmission, but the driver involvement of a manual, should opt for BMW’s new
automatic gearbox option. Using an innovative torque converter and software set up, the new automatic gearbox offers a
40 per cent improvement in the response time to throttle inputs and a gear-shift time nearly half that of a
conventional automatic transmission. Whenever a driver wants to take control of gear changes a pair of selection
paddles located behind the steering wheel can be used to change gears.
Practical and ergonomic interior
Internally, all controls fall easily and ergonomically to hand. The
seatbelt is now also delivered to the driver courtesy of a feeder arm integrated into the B-pillar. This only operates
on the passenger side when the airbag’s seat detector recognises an occupant.
Both driver and
passenger in the 3 Series Coupé sit comparatively lower in the car than they do in its Saloon counterpart. This
ensures the maximum headroom for occupants, even with the lower roofline of the Coupé, and also gives occupants
a safe, cosseted feeling in the car. Practicality is also a priority with the new 3 Series Coupé offering up to
440 litres of boot space in conjunction with convenient storage solutions in the interior.
Chassis and body – a sound basis
In common with all BMW models, the new
3 Series Coupé benefits from a near-perfect 50:50 front to rear weight distribution and rear-wheel-drive for the
optimum in driving dynamics. A double-joint tie bar front axle with spring struts made almost entirely from aluminium
and a five-link rear axle work in combination with a rigid body structure to provide very high levels of stability and
comfort.
The 3 Series Coupé also comes as standard with Dynamic Stability Control , BMW’s
latest traction control system. With DSC , the highest levels of traction and stability are complemented by the latest
comfort and safety systems including brake pads that are dried in wet weather conditions and brakes that are applied
harder when any possible brake fade is detected. This ensures the car remains under maximum control at all times.
To enhance the chassis and suspension set up, the 3 Series Coupé comes with a rack and pinion steering
system as standard. Customers can also opt for BMW’s innovative Active Steering system that varies the steering
ratio as a proportion of road speed. The Active Steering system additionally links into the DSC system, adding small
amounts of steering correction without driver input when oversteer is detected.
Extensive safety systems
All of the passive safety systems of the new Coupé are controlled
by a restraint and support system. The six standard air bags, seatbelt pre-tensioners and belt force limiters are all
activated by the type and severity of a collision.
Recognising that the majority of accidents occur in the
dark, the new 3 Series Coupé comes with Xenon headlights as standard. Customers wanting to improve visibility yet
further can specify BMW’s Adaptive Headlights that, using the steering angle, aim in the direction the car is
travelling rather than the direction it is pointing.
Drivers following a 3 Series Coupé might also
notice BMW’s Brake Force Display at work. When the driver of the Coupé needs to execute an emergency stop,
or when the ABS system is in operation, the driver behind is warned of the danger ahead by an additional illumination of
the LED brake lights in the lamp cluster.
Future Coupé
models
Other engine derivatives start production in September to broaden the 3 Series Coupé range.
The new BMW 330i Coupé will develop 272hp from its normally-aspirated 3.0-litre six cylinder engine that, like
the smaller engined 325i Coupé, uses magnesium alloy in its engine construction. Acceleration to 62mph is
dispatched from standstill in 6.1 seconds with an electronically limited top speed of 155mph. The 330i Coupé
still delivers 32.1mpg on the combined cycle.
At the same time as the 330i, the new BMW 330d Coupé
will start production, offering 231hp and 500Nm of torque. Performance and economy are both top priorities for the
diesel-powered Coupé, with the car posting a zero to 62mph time of 6.6 seconds while still delivering 43.5mpg on
the combined cycle.
Details of the future entry-point BMW 320i and 320d Coupé models will be
announced at a later date.