Category: BMW

Now that the new BMW 3 Series is about to be seen on local roads it’s opportune to take a closer look at the 328i. It’s powered by a 2.0 litre trubo four cylinder “N20” engine and has official performance figures of 180kW/350Nm. BMW say it can reach 100km/h in 6.1 seconds.

With a list price of $66,900 it’ll probably cost you high 70s-low 80s to get a reasonably well specced example on the road. That said, it’s probably the sweet spot in the F30 range and could be a wise choice for cashed up buyers who have grown out of the hot hatch phase.

Helping to support the case for the 328i are two unofficial sources. The first is from InsideLine taking an in-depth look at the suspension of a US-spec 3 Series. That will keep the boffins among you quiet for a while! The second is a video clip from a BimmerPost member who ran his US-spec 328i on the dyno. It’s never wise to store too much faith into the numbers dynos produce, but they’re still a reasonably good yardstick.

Remember, the claimed figures for the 328i’s N20 engine are 180kW/350Nm. The standard car sampled on the dyno returned figures of 226hp/230lb-ft—that’s 168kW/311Nm in modern day lingo. On paper, then, that’s small power loss of less than 7% from flywheel to the road. A pretty healthy return at the wheels for a standard motor, which indicates the official figures from BMW are probably a little shy of actual numbers. Good news for performance-conscious buyers.

[Sources: Inside Line & BimmerPost]

BMW Australia has already given us a preview of its new F30 3 Series sedan range by announcing pricing late last year, before confirming the addition of two new models in January.

With the new 3 Series ready to roll into showrooms this month they’ve now released extensive detail on local specification and equipment levels. We get the feeling the F30 will be a great success for BMW. Unsurprisingly, that’s a view shared by BMW Group Australia Managing Director, Phil Horton.

“Australian customers have always appreciated the style, luxury features, advanced technology and sporty driving dynamics of the BMW 3 Series Sedan but with the vast improvements made to the new generation, BMW has made the car even more appealing,” Horton said.

“With substantial increases in power and torque with reduced fuel consumption from the all TwinPower Turbo powertrain lineup, more interior space and advanced ConnectedDrive technologies, the new BMW 3 Series Sedan offers a superlative combination of performance, efficiency, luxury and driving enjoyment.”

Initially Australia will have three models available—the 335i, 328i and 320d—with the 318d and 320i available to order next month.

Basic list pricing for the five models is shown below and a copy of BMW Australia’s highly detailed press release, including local photography, is available after the break.

BMW 3 Series Sedan Australian Pricing:

BMW 318d: In-line four-cylinder TwinPower Turbo diesel engine – $56,400*
BMW 320i: In-line four-cylinder TwinPower Turbo petrol engine – $57,600*
BMW 320d: In-line four-cylinder TwinPower Turbo diesel engine – $60,900*
BMW 328i: In-line four-cylinder TwinPower Turbo petrol engine – $66,900*
BMW 335i: In-line six-cylinder TwinPower Turbo petrol engine – $91,900*

Trim / Equipment options
BMW 318d – Modern Line – $3900*, Sport / Luxury Line – $4900*
BMW 320i/d – Modern Line – $3100*, Sport / Luxury Line – $4100*
BMW 328i / 335i – Modern Line – $1000*, Sport / Luxury Line – $2000*

If you like the BMW 3 Series Touring it’s clear you have style and class. Not too flashy, but not cheap and nasty either, it’s the ideal choice for those wanting a bit more space while resisting the scourge of the SUV.

So it’s with a degree of anticipation we bring you this spy shot of the F31 Touring. We love spreading the word of the wagon and the new F30-based 3 Series Touring will go straight to the top of the class.

Follow the link below for more.

[Source: WCF]

If you like big loping sports cars you’re going to love the BMW M6, just revealed in Coupé (F13) and Convertible (F12) form. Here at AUSmotive we thought the E63/E64 6 Series was, to put it bluntly, just plain ugly. But this new generation 6er may make us reconsider our opinion.

The image above, shown in Shakir Orange, presents the car in perhaps its best angle. The bodykit is aggressive, but not over the top. The styling is different, but remains cohesive. The carbon fibre reinforced plastic roof on the Coupé has had its centre section chiselled out, or so it looks. It helps to give the styling an extra punch without looking daft.

We’re less keen on the Convertible, pictured below in San Marino Blue. With the roof down it looks like it could have been created especially for Stuart Appleby. Indeed, the side profile, in either Coupé or Convertible, is our lest preferred angle, but we suspect it may look better in real life.

It’s quite interesting to note the headlight design has been inspired more by the F30 3 Series than the F10 M5 on which the M6 is based. And can a BMW fan confirm if this is the first time a model designation (eg. ‘M6’) has appeared inside the famed BMW kidney grille?

Despite being quite heavy buggers the pair can sprint to 100km/h in under 4.5 seconds (Coupé: unladen weight 1850kg, 0–100 4.2s; Convertible 1980kg, 0–100 4.3s). That’s, of course, thanks to the prodigious power offered by the now familiar 4.4 litre twin turbo V8 (412kW/680Nm) which is mated to a slick shifting 7-speed DCT gearbox.

A full suite of press images is available below, along with text you can read right now or in PDF form for those who want the full detail.

BMW Australia is busy burning rubber on Phillip Island to celebrate the local launch of the F10 M5. Well, when pricing for the car starts at $230,000 what’s a few grand on some rear tyres?

In case you’ve forgotten the new M5 has a 4.4 litre twin turbo V8 that snarls its way to 412kW/680Nm. That’s the most powerful production model to wear an M badge. There’s also a 7-speed DCT gearbox and an Active M differential.

But is track work really the M5’s bag, or is it more of a luxury cruiser with a few tricks up its sleeve? Check out our Tried & Tested reader review to find out.

There’s a short and snappy press release after the break, along with more pics, of course. If you want more meat in your press guff then make sure you download the Australian press kit as well.

Amid the hype and over production of Super Bowl television commercials BMW has released a simple and effective YouTube clip that showcases the company’s history as well as its present. The BMW 1M, with its near 50:50 weight distribution, has been selected to spearhead the message.

Who needs explosions and supermodels?

Currently the 155kW front-wheel drive Golf GTI is the hot hatch benchmark. Sure, there may be some cars that are sharper, the Renaultsport Megane RS, for example. And some are more extreme; see the Ford Focus RS. But none provide the all-round finesse of the GTI.

BMW, a surprisingly new player to the niche, hopes its new 125i can tempt buyers south from Wolfsburg down to Munich. Officially, the 125i is yet to be signed off by BMW Australia, but we’ve received a tip that not only confirms the car is coming, but names the price as well: $45,700 plus on roads. That figure seems about right when compared to the rest of the Australian 1 Series pricing. It also makes the 125i over five grand more than the list price of a GTI.

But there’s options, too, and for around $6000 $5385 you can add the M Sport kit; sure to be inspired by the 1 Series Performance Studie you see here. Perhaps of more merit, or at least certainly a lot cheaper, is the chance to option an upgraded brake package from factory for just $1000 more (this can only be optioned in conjunction with the M Sport package, see details below).

What about the basics of the 125i; what will the it offer that a GTI can’t? As noted the GTI has 155kW from its smooth 2.0 litre turbocharged four cylinder. That’s coupled by a healthy 280Nm of torque. The 125i beats that, just, with its 160kW/310Nm, also from a 2.0 litre turbo four. Thanks to a twin-scroll turbo that torque is all yours from 1350rpm as well. Sounds good, what else?

Well, the GTI is front-wheel drive and has been that way since its inception over 35 years ago. Volkswagen has pretty well nailed the FWD format. But the 125i is rear-wheel drive; acknowledged as a more pure method of getting power down. According to the spec sheets the kerbweight of both models is neck and neck (125i 1345kg, GTI 1360kg). It makes for a fascinating comparison.

We’re not sure about you, but we think the GTI has it over the BMW 1 Series in terms of looks. Although, Renault has proved hot hatch excellence need not be pretty to look at, so maybe the look of the F20 1er won’t bother hot hatch fans.

A genuine RWD hot hatch is something new to consider and will give the BMW 125i a bona fide difference in the current day market. Will its unique layout, premium brand and driving experience be enough to knock the ageing Mk6 GTI off its perch?

We’d love to hear your thoughts.

UPDATE: The price mentioned above has been confirmed by unofficial sources and further leaked details revealing more about the 125i can be read below. Of most note, the 125i will be available from March 2012 production. Valencia Orange, previously a colour unique to the 1M, will also be available. As far as specs go the 125i is based on the 118i, with a few extra goodies as listed below. And, last but not least, keen observers will also note the 116i pricing.

As tipped by AUSmotive reader Wayne last week, BMW Australia has confirmed plans to introduce a new limited-run M3 model called the Pure Edition II. Available to order in coupé form only, between March and July, the Pure Edition II will be limited to 50 models and is exclusive to the Australian market.

BMW Australia launched the Pure Edition back in 2010. The 2012 version follows in the same path and includes 19″ lightweight alloys finished in gloss black paint, as well as various dark details on things like the kidney grille and bonnet intakes.

Setting the Pure Edition II apart is access to a number of BMW Individual paint finishes, including Fire Orange, first seen on the limited edition M3 GTS, Dakar Yellow II, Laguna Seca, Sepang Bronze and Imola Red.

It’s the 40th anniversary of M GmbH this year, and surely a Pure Edition II would be the must have fashion accessory when party time rolls around. You’ll need to have a spare $145,000 plus on roads if you want to be all the rage.