Engine and gearbox
In its 6th generation, the new 320d (F30) is supposed to be a 4 door saloon which combines the practicality of daily use and pleasure of driving. The popularity of a diesel car in India is proven from the sales, where the petrol powered cars are left behind of a diesel option is available. This wave has embroiled every segment in the car market today and we sampled the all new 320d Sportsline from the Bavarian car manufacturer, and were left astonished.
The 320d is powered by a new TwinPower Turbo 1995 cc four cylinder oil burner that churns out 181.5 bhp @4000 rpm to be precise and an impressive max torque of 380 Nm between 1750-2750 rpm. This translates into a 0-100kmph dash of less than 8 seconds!
As mentioned earlier, the 2 litre unit is the latest from BMW. The engineers have gone to lengths in order to make this not only an efficient oil burner, but also cleaner and fun to drive. In BMW speak; it is a Twin-Power Turbo charged unit.Even though we associate BMWs with inline Sixes, this diesel unit still retains the uncanny eagerness for revs like its petrol counterpart and redlines at 5500 rpm! We have had Bi-turbo engines from BMW before, but with F30 comes with a variable geometry turbocharger for boost across the wider rev range.
The performance is further aided by modern generation common rail direct injection technology along with aluminum composite crankcase. This brilliant and flexible unit is mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission. As in any case, activating the sport mode alters the shift points for the gearbox and adds more weight to the steering providing a more direct feel. We love the appetite of the engine for revs and eagerness to build them, the engine itself sounds thrashy at higher revs.
While the transmission shifts are smooth, jerk-free, and fairly quick the dynamics of the car beg for a lightning fast tranny, a double clutch gearbox to be more specific. Clever electronics like the Eco Pro mode further economize the engine`s operations, it optimizes the gear shift points, the climate control with respect to the accelerator pedal position. Flick it back in to the sport mode and all the fuel efficiency parental advisory aids are barred.
As a part of the BMW`s Efficient Dynamics is the Brake Energy Regeneration which uses the braking energy to charge the battery taking the load off the engine (alternator) improving the overall efficiency, clever. Even though in the sport mode, the gear shifts can be manually controlled, the Sportline lacks steering mounted shift pedals which could have taken the sheer driving pleasure to the next level.
Fantastic review! She surely is insane! BTW, from what I can see this car seem to have the navigation package. Can you shed some more light on the same?
Arjun Dharve and Deepak Dongre, Awesome is an understatement for this beautiful machine. A Machine that can think for itself and provide comfort and safety. Good Job guys, Superb Photography and writeup does prove that you guys had a lot of FUNNNN….
Very very…very well written. Reminded me of the “heart in the mouth” moments in the back seat 😉 Was just floored by the way this beauty handles! And its just a bloody 3 series!