Another Dimension, Another Dimension
Compared to the E90 3er, the 2012 3-series sedan is about 3.7 inches longer, rides on a 2.0-inch-longer wheelbase, and has wider tracks front (1.5 inches) and rear (1.9). The growth pays dividends to back-seat passengers; legroom increases by 0.7 inch, there’s 0.6-inch more knee room, and a smidge more headroom. Despite the newfound bigness, BMW claims that the sedans will weigh 88 pounds less than similarly equipped last-gen cars. Imagine what they could have done if it stayed the same overall size.
The larger car still looks svelte, however, and wears an evolved version of current 5-series styling. Its face is pulled tighter than before, with the headlights stretching to meet the trademark kidney grilles. The single lower intake has been split into two. Cars with the optional xenon headlights are equipped with LED eyebrows. BMW describes the overall profile as wedge-shaped, which, okay, it might be, but it’s no Lamborghini Gallardo.
A BMW spokesperson told us that the EPA doesn’t test every car, and manufacturers must instead conduct their own tests following the EPA’s test cycle and submit figures each year. Sometimes, the EPA will validate those figures by repeating the test cycle itself. In this case, the EPA requested a 328i automatic for testing, and came up with different numbers.
We’ve been impressed with the performance from the 2012 BMW 328i’s new turbocharged four-cylinder thus far, and the promise of better fuel economy was a have-your-cake-and-eat-it-too kind of proposition. Now, we suppose you just get slightly less cake.
Packaging explained
BMW offers the latest 3-Series Sedan in base configuration and four optional “Design Lines:” Sport Line, Luxury Line and Modern Line, as well as an M Sport Line (late introduction).
All models will come with goodies like a 6.5-inch color display with iDrive, Bluetooth and USB connectivity, step-up wheels (17-inch on 328i, 18-inch on 335i), while the 335i adds HID headlamps, wood interior trim, a moonroof, powered front seats and an anti-theft alarm.
Sport Line models come with black exterior styling bits, a 10mm-lowered suspension, red piped-and-stitched leather or leatherette seats, a black headliner and various red accents throughout the cabin. Luxury Line 3-Series models substitute the Sport’s gloss black or aluminum interior trim with inlayed wood, wile the exterior receives additional chrome styling bits including more grille slats and chromed grille surrounds. Luxury and Modern Line 3-Series models will be offered exclusively with leather seats with a specific seam pattern and either contrasting stitching (Luxury) or piping (Modern). Modern builds on Luxury with matte chrome exterior and interior trim, a choice of aluminum, pearl metallic or textured wood interior trim and a “dark oyster” dashboard and steering wheel.
source:motortrend.com,caranddriver.com,leftlanenews.com
