here each year, which puts the model ahead of the Ford Mondeo in the sales charts. But with increasing competition, led by the Audi A4, the 3-Series is under pressure, so it has gone under the knife to ensure it stays ahead of the game.The success of the existing model means styling tweaks have been kept to a minimum. Still, the company’s designers have been hard at work improving the facelifted car.
The car is wider to provide greater stability and even better handling, while the front bumper now features more sculpted, upturned air intakes. These draw attention to the greater girth, and a big, horizontal band does the same job on the rear bumper.There’s also a new bonnet, which has two sharp lines running from the badge to the hood’s trailing edge. And the side sills are sharply creased, giving the impression that the 3-Series is longer than before.There are new light clusters, too. Up front are twin-halo daytime running lamps that mirror those seen on the larger 5-Series. Both front and rear clusters also benefit from LED indicators, which are brighter and more attractive.Inside, it’s a similar story of refining the package. The cabin is more practical, while new materials improve the air of quality. But the biggest change is to the much-maligned iDrive control system. The new set-up uses a hard drive, rather than being DVD-based, so it works much faster. Plus, the controller is upgraded, while the screen is now bigger and more colourful.A number of useful functions have been added, such as the ability to save your MP3 digital music files on to the system and the optional ConnectedDrive Internet access. The 3D sat-nav works well, too. But best of all, iDrive is more intuitive, so it’s nowhere near as frustrating to master as it once was.
We drove the 330d, which has an all-new version of the six-cylinder 3.0-litre turbodiesel. This engine is 5kg lighter than before, and although it delivers an extra 14bhp and 20Nm of torque – at 245bhp and 520Nm respectively – it’s seven per cent more fuel efficient. That means it returns 49.6mpg combined, thanks in part to the improved EfficientDynamics system, which includes stop-start technology.On the road, the powerplant is fairly vocal, and while it’s not as tuneful as the 3.0-litre petrol, it sounds pleasant. It certainly has plenty of power, with the traction control being triggered under modest acceleration on damp roads. Most impressive is the unit’s flexibility at any speed, making town driving as effortless as overtaking on the motorway.The steering is lighter, but still direct, and the wider track means handling remains strong. So the tweaks keep the 3-Series at the top of the tree for drivers wanting practicality and pace, especially with this impressive new diesel. But bosses predict the 320d, which has an equally strong engine at a lower price, will account for half of all sales.
Article Source:autoexpress.co.uk
BMW 330D
BMW 330D
BMW 330D
BMW 330D
BMW 330D
BMW 330D
Australians are finally coming around to the diesel revolution. We’re realising that the relaxed, torquey nature of compression ignition sits well with not just our speed limits and driving styles, but also our hip pockets.
But does it work in a convertible? Many car companies have hedged their bets, and are now releasing diesel drop-tops. BMW’s 330d on test this week proves that the two can merge to create a stunning combination. Indeed, once you’ve driven it, you may not ever look at the petrol model 3 Series Convertibles.If you are looking to the blue-and-white propeller, then chances are you’re after a four seater convertible which actually has rear leg space and driver involvement. After all, it’s a step up from its competitors: the Lexus IS250C looks decided awkward with the roof up, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet is a soft-top, as is Audi’s A5 Cabriolet, both of which don’t give the ultimate driving involvement that the 330d offers. Then there’s the Volvo C70, which is a great looking car, but it’s front wheel drive and overall it is a bit soft; certainly you can’t punt it like you can the Beemer.But there’s something else that the BMW offers; the Efficient Dynamics program means fuel use stays low, but driving fun stays high. The catalyst for ensuring these two criteria were met was the turbo-charged, 3-litre, six-cylinder diesel engine under the bonnet.You can’t help but be impressed by this engine.
It’s almost inconceivable that a few years ago we’d be calling a diesel engine a sweet, free-revving unit, but here we are – and we’re saying it. Plenty of torque is almost expected; it is an oil-burner after all, but it’s the colossal amount that makes your eyes pop. At 520 Newton-metres, it makes the 330d feel like it’s a big, lazy V8, and even though the on-paper specs tell us that it peaks from 1750rpm, it comes in extremely strong at a tick over 1200rpm, meaning effortless surge.Power is also intoxicatingly impressive, with 180kW happening right at the top end, meaning there’s no letup in acceleration. Ever. Well, that is until you hit the speed limiter at 250km/h, but we’re not going to be doing that in Australia, are we? Let’s just remind ourselves of that power figure again. One-hundred-and-eighty-kilowatts. From a three litre diesel. The 0-100km/h sprint in just 6.5 seconds tells the tale, but rolling acceleration is the most impressive; you’ll be slowing down, just to overtake something and feel that tidal-wave of torque shove you in the back.
And despite thoroughly enjoying ourselves behind the wheel (read: hammering it on occasion…well, actually, quite a lot) fuel consumption refused to go above 8.1-litres/100km. Staggering.
source:caradvice.com.au
