BMW Heaven - The Knowledge Base 2.0

The new BMW 3 Series Saloon
Unique Dynamics, Product Substance and Efficiency.

Car fans and aficionados everywhere have something great to look forward to next spring:
The new BMW 3 Series is making its world debut at the Geneva Motor Show.
Now entering its fifth generation, the BMW 3 Series is once again pushing up the benchmark.
Acknowledged for 30 years as the best car in its class, the 3 Series comes with a wide range of innovative, hands-on progress on the engine and suspension, and in terms of motoring comfort.

World debut with four new engines.
The new BMW 3 Series is entering the market with three petrol engines and one diesel.
All four of these power units offer a significant increase in output, performance, motoring refinement, and economy.
And each of them is a highlight in itself.

Six-cylinder with extra-light magnesium crankcase.
Developing maximum output of 190 kW/258 bhp, the six-cylinder in the top-of-the-range model outperforms its predecessor by a significant 20 kW/27 bhp.
Maximum torque of 300 Nm (221 lb-ft) comes consistently between 2,500 and 4,000 rpm.
This is the most powerful and lightest six-cylinder in its segment.


To reduce the weight of the engine to an absolute minimum, BMW is using magnesium for the first time in volume production, with weight down by 30 per cent versus aluminium.Both the crankcase as well as the crankshaft bearings and the cylinder head cover are all made of this sophisticated ultra-light material.
Another new feature in the six-cylinder is VALVETRONIC masterminding the opening times and lift of the intake valves infinitely as a function of the gas pedal position. The result is even more efficient use of the fuel injected into the engine, with engine response being even more spontaneous than before. This technology comes hand-in-hand with double- VANOS variable camshaft adjustment for the intake and outlet valves. The new BMW 330i accelerates to 100 km/h in 6.3 seconds and its top speed is limited to 250 km/h or 155 mph. Fuel consumption in the composite EU cycle is 8.7 litres/100 km equal to 32.5 mpg Imp.

The BMW 325i is also making its debut in spring 2005:
Maximum output is 160 kW/218 bhp at 6,500 rpm, maximum torque 250 Nm/184 lb-ft between 2,750 and 4,250 rpm. Engine displacement, as the model designation indicates, is 2.5 litres.

BMW 320i with high-performance four-cylinder power unit.
The new BMW 320i is the most powerful four-cylinder in the range. Based
on the two-litre straight-four so far featured in the BMW 318i, this power unit is also equipped with VALVETRONIC and dual-VANOS variable camshaft adjustment, developing maximum output of 110 kW/150 bhp at 6,200 rpm and maximum torque of 200 Nm/147 lb-ft at 3,600 rpm. This accelerates the BMW 320i from 0-100 km/h in 9.0 seconds and gives the car a top speed of 220 km/h or 136 mph. Fuel consumption in the composite EU cycle is 7.4 litres/100 km or 38.2 mpg Imp. This increase in performance over the previous engine already acknowledged as very dynamic is attributable to detailed optimisation of the intake and exhaust ducts.

The range of petrol engines in the BMW 3 Series will naturally be
enlarged step-by-step, a 'basic' four-cylinder supplementing the line-up in autumn 2005.

The 320d continuing the successful story of the Sports Diesel.
In the BMW 320d diesel turns into pure dynamics. Featuring BMW's second-generation common-rail technology as well as an exhaust gas turbocharger with variable turbine geometry, this outstanding four-cylinder develops supreme output of 120 kW/163 bhp and equally supreme torque of 340 Nm/251 lb-ft at 2,000 rpm.
In terms of both drive comfort and dynamic performance, the 320d is definitely 'best in segment'.

The car's acceleration obviously reflects this superior power, with acceleration from 0-100 km/h in 8.3 seconds.
Top speed is 225 km/h or 140 mph, and fuel consumption in the composite EU cycle a mere 5.7 litres/100 km or 49.6 mpg Imp.
And it goes without saying that the BMW 320d complies in full with the EU-4 emission standard.