The most crucial model in BMW’s line-up is here, the new F30 3-Series. We reported on it within News last month, and now we’ve driven it...

Words Chris Chilton  |   Pictures BMW

Six-cylinder power has been an essential part of the 3-series’ makeup since the E21 320 grew itself a couple of extra pistons back in 1977. But with the launch of the new F30 3-series, and specifically the new four-cylinder 328i, the six’s days look like they’re numbered.

Check out these numbers to see why: its 245bhp and 258lb/ft wastes the outgoing 325i’s 218bhp/199lb/ft effort, and all that extra torque plus a 40kg drop in weight means the 0-62mph time drops from 6.7sec to just 5.9sec.  BMW’s clever variable geometry turbo technology virtually eliminates lag, and just like the blown six-pot 335i, which continues, it never feels obviously turbocharged. It pulls hard, in one long lunge right round to the 7,000rpm limiter. And to top it all, at 44mpg, it’s nearly as economical as an E46 320d.

Shame it sounds about as interesting. Actually, if you grew up listening to the gruff, purposeful, noises emanating from an E30 318is or M3, then you might like it. But you’ll never mistake it for a six, and for some that’ll be a problem. The 328i just doesn’t sound like a car that costs £29k basic, and more like £39k in M-sport guise with options.

Temptations from the options list include the £375 variable ratio sports steering rack fitted to the car we drove. It takes a few miles to get used to the ratio change as you approach the lockstops, and even just the lightness compared to a simple meaty-feeling E90 system. But it works well on really twisty roads where a simple flick of the wrists takes care of pretty much any corner.

 To read more about this BMW see the January 2012 issue of Total BMW.

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