Friday, December 9, 2011

The BMW 3-Series "IS" Still The One

The competition should have figured out a way to beat the BMW 3-series by now. It’s not for lack of trying: Every so often, another carmaker will pitch a worthy competitor into the mix, but none has been able to knock the 3-series from its pedestal or even maintain its consistent brilliance. After 21 consecutive years on the 10Best list, BMW continues to evolve the 3-series toward some platonic ideal of sportiness. You don’t notice the seats, the steering, the suspension, or the brakes because everything feels natural. Everything feels right. And how has no other automaker matched the silkiness of BMW’s inline-six engines? Don’t forget the M3, either, which remains magnificent in the twilight of a celebrated life, thanks largely to that lusty 414-hp, 8300-rpm V-8. The 3-series sedan is on hiatus until a new model drops in February. In other words, even as the entire current 3-series lineup is on the way out the door, it still roasts the competition. The biggest threat to its dominance is not from another carmaker but from BMW itself. An increased focus on gizmology has robbed a couple of recently introduced BMWs of the athletic, connected feeling that made the old Ultimate Driving Machine tag line ring so true. Here’s to hoping BMW doesn’t screw up the best one. SPECIFICATIONS VEHICLE TYPE: front-engine; rear- or 4-wheel-drive; 4–5-passenger; 2-door coupe, 2-door convertible, or 5-door wagon BASE PRICE: $38,125–$71,125 ENGINES: DOHC 24-valve 3.0-liter inline-6, 230 hp, 200 lb-ft; turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 24-valve 3.0-liter inline-6, 300 or 320 hp, 300 or 370 lb-ft; DOHC 32-valve 4.0-liter V-8, 414 hp, 295 lb-ft TRANSMISSIONS: 6-speed manual, 7-speed dual-clutch automatic with manual shifting mode, 6-speed automatic with manual shifting mode DIMENSIONS: Wheelbase: 108.7 in Length: 178.6–181.9 in Width: 70.2–71.5 in Height: 54.0–55.8 in Curb weight: 3350–4150 lb FUEL ECONOMY: EPA city/highway: 13–19/20–28 mpg

No comments:

Post a Comment