Seated inside, the driver is treated to a sports seat with adjustable bolstering and in the Sport Line, a full-colour next-generation Head Up Display. The freestanding iDrive Monitor with high-resolution display recalls the latest flatscreen televisions normally found in living rooms rather than cars, giving the interior a lighter, more airy feel. Rear passengers are not neglected, as there is now 15mm more knee room and 9mm more headroom.
So the car is rapid in a straight line, has a well-appointed cabin with all the creature comforts that one desires and rides well. But what really makes a sporting executive sedan is the ride and handling.
Driven hard on the outskirts of Barcelona, the BMW exhibited the same breath-taking chassis dynamics as the mountain scenery. The electro-mechanical steering is accurate without being overly sharp and there is ample feedback from the 225/40 R19 Bridgestone S001 tyres in front.
The wider 255/35 R19 tyres at the back keep the car composed and poised around bends – both high-speed sweepers taken at insane speeds and tight hairpins where the lack of understeer is amazing. And all throughout, the ride is neither jittery nor bouncy; it is as comfortable cruising on the autobahn as it is charging down a snaking B-road. The new 3 Series will put a smile on your face as you tackle corner after corner.
| BMW 328i |
| Engine: Eight-speed automatic transmission Transmission: Six-speed automatic Max Power: 245 hp @ 5,000 rpm Max Torque: 350 Nm @ 1,250 – 4,800 rpm 0-100kmh: 6.1 secs Top speed: 250 kmh Distributor: Performance Motors Website: www.pml.com.sg |
Feb 11 next year is the international roll-out date for this new, benchmarking compact executive sedan. Expect it to hit our shores shortly thereafter. Launch engines will include the 328i and 335i, followed in 18 months by the 1.6-litre turbocharged variants. Rarely does one finish driving a car and find nothing to nit-pick about.
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