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By
ALISTAIR KENNEDY
21 January 2008
BMW has updated its 320d diesel sedan with a new engine that
provides the win-win-win combination of increased performance, reduced
fuel consumption and lower emissions.
The 320d is the fourth BMW model to take the all-new, third
generation 2.0-litre common-rail diesel engine which we’ve
already seen in the 120d hatch, 520d sedan and X3 2.0d SUV.
It increases maximum power to 125 kilowatts (from 115 kW) and
torque to 340 Newton metres (from 330 Nm). The latter comes in a
just 1750 rpm and is the highest in any four-cylinder 3 Series
model, and second only to the 335i six-cylinder twin turbo petrol
engine.
The engine is 20kg lighter than its predecessor, bringing fuel
consumption down from 6.7 litres per 100 kilometres to 6.0 L/100
km on a combination of a city and highway driving.
We were a little disappointed that there is no manual
transmission offered with the 320d, although the six-speed ZF
automatic does have Steptronic manual overrides which can operated
with either the gear lever or steering wheel mounted paddle
controls.
We were able to test out the new engine over a 150-kilometre
route in northern Victoria. As is the case with most modern diesel
engines the tell-tale diesel rattle is noticeable from outside the
car but not at all once you’re inside and on the road.
Steering is relatively heavy but the car is well-balanced and
easy to control. Handling is precise and the extra torque from the
diesel engine made light work some hilly terrain on the foothills
of the Victorian Alps.
As with all BMW diesel vehicles released in Australia since
March 2007, the 320d comes with a clever feature called an
Incorrect Fuelling Protection System (IFPS) that prevents petrol
entering the diesel fuel tank. With the swing to diesel passenger
vehicles gaining momentum because of rising fuel prices, there is
an increasing number of people driving diesel cars for the first
time. So there’s a risk of drivers inadvertently putting petrol
into their diesel tank, with potentially expensive consequences.
The system works via a locking mechanism within the car’s
filler neck which can only be opened when the larger-diameter
diesel pump nozzle makes contact with a pair of opposing contact
patches near the mouth of the filler. Because petrol pumps have a
narrower nozzle it’s not capable of touching both contact
patches and so the locking mechanism will not open.
Other standard features in the BMW 320d include ABS brakes,
front and front side airbags, front and rear head airbags,
stability and traction control, rear parking sensors, run-flat
tyres, cruise control, dual zone climate control air conditioning,
Bluetooth capability and leather steering wheel and gear lever
trim. It sells for $56,700.
The $61,500 320d Executive model adds 16-inch alloy wheels,
leather seats, front fog lights and wood or aluminium interior
trim highlights.
For the driving enthusiast BMW’s popular M Sport package with
either model for an extra $5500. For this you get the firmer M
Sport suspension, light alloy wheels, leather steering wheel and
sports seats.
The BMW 320d, which has been on sale here since June 2006, and
has been a major player in the long-awaited surge in sales of
diesel-powered passenger sales spurred on by the seeming
inevitability of higher fuel prices. The mix of performance and
economy provided by this new engine can only accelerate this
trend.
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Marque Publishing Company
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