News

BMW has been hard at work on other engines to meet the challenge of marrying the benefits of a rewarding drive with a sustainable future.  Hence the introduction of a new diesel engine for the BMW 3 Series Saloon and Touring that, with its sub 120g/km emissions, will prove to be a key car for the business buyer.

 The BMW 318d has a 2.0-litre turbocharged unit with variable vane technology and common rail direct fuel injection. It delivers 143hp and 320Nm of torque from only 1,750rpm.  The 20Nm boost helps the 318d Saloon to reach 62mph in 9.1 seconds (Touring is 9.4 seconds) while both go on to reach a top speed of 130mph.  On the combined fuel consumption cycle the Saloon achieves 62.8mpg and emits only 119g/km of CO2 (Touring records 62.8mpg and 120g/km).

 Both models have lowered emissions enough to drop below the critical 120g/km threshold putting them in band C for VED and just 13 per cent benefit in kind taxation. BMW expects this to give it a clear advantage against key competitors in the battle for corporate sales.

 Like the equivalent powerplants in the BMW 3 Series Coupé and Convertible ranges, the 320d, 325d, 335i and 335d variants of the 3 Series Saloon and Touring also receive enhancements in the engine bay. The 320d Saloon now has a zero to 62mph time of 7.5 seconds (Touring is 7.7 seconds), down from 7.9 seconds, while combined fuel consumption is now 60.1mpg (58.9mph) and emissions are 125g/km (128g/km).

 From March 2010 the BMW 325d Saloon’s six-cylinder engine will propel it to 62mph in 7.0 seconds (Touring is 7.2 seconds) while combined fuel consumption is 49.6mpg (48.7mpg) and CO2 emissions are 151g/km (153g/km). Similarly the 335d Saloon and Touring record impressive statistics with fuel consumption improving from 42.2mpg to 42.8mpg (42.2mpg for Touring) and CO2 emissions now at 174g/km (176g/km).

 Finally the BMW 335i Saloon and Touring featuring a new single turbocharged 3.0-litre engine sees improvements in fuel consumption, emissions and VED rates. The Saloon variant is now capable of 33.6mpg, 196g/km emissions and drops into band J VED tier. By comparison the Touring variant records 33.2mpg and 199g/km.

 The BMW 316d Saloon can now be specified with optional 17- or 18-inch alloys instead of only being offered with 16-inch alloy wheels for enhanced customer choice.

All of the new BMW 3 Series variants go on sale in the UK on 20 March, 2010.