BMW in the 2006 Model Year (Europe)

Press Release

BMW 3 Series

New Models, All-Wheel Drive and the new M Sports Package

 

BMW’s best-selling, top-volume model series is entering the new model year with even greater momentum than before, featuring new engines, new transmission, the xDrive all-wheel-drive system, additional features as well as new paintwork and upholstery options. A further new feature is the M Sports Package for both the Saloon and Touring.

 

Even more diesel power for the 3 Series Saloon.

Half a year after the world debut of the new 3 Series Saloon, BMW is now introducing the 318i entry-level petrol model as well as the two 318d and 330d diesel Saloons rounding off the range.

 

Like the models already in the market, the new engines naturally comply in full with the strict EU4 emission standard.

 

Featuring BMW’s 3.0-litre diesel in the 330d, the new Saloon comes with the most powerful diesel engine ever to be seen in the 3 Series: The six-cylinder develops a muscular 170 kW/231 hp at 4,000 rpm and offers truly outstand­ing power and performance at all speeds: With its maximum torque of 500 Nm/369 lb-ft extending all the way from 1,750–3,000 rpm, the 330d ensures truly opulent power reserves even at very low speeds.

 

With this kind of power, the 330d Saloon accelerates to 100 km/h in just 6.7 seconds. Top speed is limited electronically to 250 km/h or 155 mph. But de­spite this outstanding performance, the 330d Saloon consumes just 6.5 litres of diesel fuel on 100 km in the composite EU cycle (equal to 43.5 mpg Imp).

 

The new 318d Saloon rounds off BMW’s diesel portfolio at the lower end, the four-cylinder power unit developing maximum output of 90 kW/122 hp at 4,000 rpm. Maximum torque of 280 Nm or 206 lb-ft comes from just 1,750–2,000 rpm, the 318d thus accelerating through outstanding flexibility and powerful acceleration at all speeds: Acceleration from 0–100 km/h comes in 10.6 seconds, acceleration from 80–120 km/h in fourth gear in 9.3 sec­onds, and the car’s top speed is 206 km/h or 128 mph. Fuel consumption in the EU test cycle, finally, is a mere 5.6 litres/100 km or 50.4 mpg Imp.

 

The entry-level four-cylinder petrol engine in the BMW 318i Saloon.   The 318i is based on BMW’s well-known 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine. Developing maximum output of 95 kW/129 hp together with180 Nm/133 lb-ft maximum torque, this power unit also ensures sporting performance of the highest calibre leaving the competition in this class far behind: Acceleration from a standstill to 100 km/comes in10.0 seconds, acceleration from 80–120 km/h in fourth gear takes just 10.9 seconds.

 

Top speed of 208 km/h or 129 mph as well as 7.3 litres average fuel con­sump­tion on 100 km (38.7 mpg Imp) are further factors speaking in favour of the “smallest� 3 Series.

 

BMW xDrive – more than just a “normal� all-wheel-drive system.

Starting now, BMW’s innovative xDrive all-wheel-drive system is available on the six-cylinder Saloon and Touring models. The driver benefits imme­diately from the distribution of drive power oriented to his individual de­mands, with the power fed to the wheels adjusting to each driving situation on the road, using information from the wheel sensors as well as data from the DSC driving control system for this purpose.

 

Given these benefits, xDrive is able to avoid potentially threatening driving situations right from the start, ensuring a significantly higher standard of driv­ing safety and stability as well as superior agility and traction in the four-wheel-drive midrange segment.

 

Extra safety when towing a trailer.

The BMW 3 Series Saloon and Touring equipped with a trailer towing hook offer additional safety when pulling a trailer thanks to the latest generation of DSC Dynamic Stability control featuring anti-sway logic, that is a special sys­tem referred to as Trailer Stability Management able to detect any incli­na­tion of the trailer to sway out of control and automatically applying appro­priate counter-forces.

 

This preventive action is taken so quickly and discreetly that the driver will generally not even notice what is happening. Indeed, it is only when this sta­bility management is no longer sufficient to avoid the risk of the trailer sway­ing out of control that DSC will intervene by applying the brakes on the car.

 

The trailer hook itself also helps to significantly facilitate driving conditions in routine, everyday situations: All the driver has to do is press a button in the luggage compartment in order to swing the trailer hook out of the underfloor of the 3 Series. Then, once arriving at his destination, the driver just has to return the trailer hook into the underfloor of the car by pressing it down easi­ly and conveniently.

 

Even more sporting and dynamic with the M Sports Package.

The optional M Sports Package highlights the performance-oriented quali­ties of the 3 Series Saloon and Touring and enables the customer to per­son­alise his – or her – car to an even higher standard. Among other features, the M Sports Package comprises a sports suspension set-up, the Aero­dy­namics Package (comprising the front and rear air dam as well as the side-sills), foglamps and exclusive light-alloy wheels (17 or 18 inches) with tyres varying in size front and rear. Inside the car, the Sports Package features in particular special sports seats and the M leather steering wheel. The final fea­tures rounding off this very special highlight are aluminium trim strips in Glacier Silver, the M footrest, as well as M entry trim strips.

 

Benefiting from thumb support contours with special profiles, the optimised sports steering wheel now offers even better grip and at the same time al­lows an even more relaxed position at the wheel.

 

Diversity of an even higher standard: new paint, new colours and new upholstery.

New paint options, colours and upholstery enhancing the already wide range of features offered by the BMW 3 Series serve to provide an even higher standard of customisation. Offering Mystic Blue, Deep Green, Bar­rique Red and Sonora, BMW now provides no less than four new exterior colours, plus a new cloth/leather combination in Blue.