| Year
(of specifications) |
2011 |
| Engine |
3.0
litre, inline-6, turbocharged
3.0 litre, inline-6, naturally aspirated |
| Transmission |
6-speed auto or manual, RWD or AWD |
| Max
speed |
155
mph (electronically limited) |
| 0-60
mph |
- |
| Horsepower |
300
hp (turbocharged)
230 hp (naturally aspirated) |
| weight |
- |
For the 2011 model year BMW has decided to make some styling
and engineering changes to the 3 Series Coupe and Convertible
models.
A lot has been left unaltered, including the basic architecture
of the car, rear-wheel drive layout (xDrive is available on
the Coupe), suspension and steering systems, interior, and balanced
weight distribution.
The engine for the 335i model is however all-new. Internally
designated the "N55," this turbocharged, all-aluminum
engine features essentially the same "short block"
and 3.0-liter displacement of its predecessor, but benefits
from five additional years worth of development and refinement.
The result is an engine that is more responsive, more fuel efficient,
and cleaner-running than its predecessor, but preserves the
previous engine's power output - 300 horsepower and 300 lb-ft
of torque, and a 7,000 rpm redline.
The new N55 is the first BMW inline-6 to combine turbocharging,
High Precision direct fuel injection, and Valvetronic variable
intake technology. It features a single, mid-sized turbocharger
with a "twin-scroll" housing to boost performance
and minimize the response lag. Thanks to its housing design
which maintains proper separation between streams of exhaust
gasses, the turbocharger builds up pressure much faster than
previous-generation turbochargers, thus eliminating even the
slightest tendency for lag.
The 328i is powered by BMW's 230 horsepower, 200 lb-ft, 3.0-liter
inline-6 engine, known internally as the N52. An aluminum/magnesium
engine block, hollow camshafts, plastic camshaft cover, improved
combustion chambers, a further evolved Double VANOS1, higher
fuel injection pressure, sophisticated engine electronics, an
electric coolant pump, a variable-volume oil pump and an oil/coolant
heat exchanger are the other weight-saving features and improvements
of this engine over previous generations.
Stylewise the 2011 3 Series Coupe and Convertible models have
been just mildly, but noticeably tweaked - that's if you have
a 2010 sitting right beside for comparison.
The trademark BMW kidney grille is slightly wider in order to
match the fractionally longer hood. These are complimented by
revised headlights with the signature daylight running corona
light rings.
The new design of the taillights is unique to the 3 Series Coupe
and Convertible. The rear light cluster feature two-piece L-shapes
and are further accentuated by a new color scheme. With two
rows of light tubes that illuminate simultaneously, they create
a night design with depth and dimension. Integrated flush into
the body of the car, the lights are split into two sections
and extend up the trunk lid, blending with the character lines
from the side profile.
These styling tweaks have resulted in a slightly longer length
and larger overhangs (29mm (1.14 inches) at the front, and 3mm
(0.12 inches) at the rear)
|
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