2014 BMW 3 Series 4dr Sdn 328d xDrive AWD

With the launch of the new sports sedan, a brand-new four-cylinder engine will make its debut in the BMW 3-Series. In keeping with the dynamic overall theme of the new BMW sports sedan, this new-generation turbocharged engine offers plenty of power and performance, responsive acceleration, powerful torque, a high rpm ceiling and low weight. For this best-selling BMW model series, the new-generation 2.0-litre petrol engine will be available in two output ratings. The new four-cylinder units, which provide noticeably livelier power for maximum driving enjoyment, also come with lower fuel consumption and emissions than their predecessors.

The state-of-the-art, lively 2.0-litre powerplants mark a return to the popular sports sedan's roots - it was with lightweight, high-performance four-cylinder units in a similar vein that the BMW 3-Series made its debut back in 1975, with the first six-cylinder units for this series making their appearance at the 1977 Frankfurt Motor Show. A six-cylinder continues to top the engine line-up in the new BMW 3-Series.

The significant upgrade in power and efficiency is chiefly down to the use of BMW TwinPower Turbo technology, featuring innovative technologies such as High Precision Direct Petrol Injection, twin-scroll turbocharging, Double-Vanos variable camshaft timing and VALVETRONIC variable valve timing. On the new-generation four-cylinder engines, this world-exclusive technology package from BMW again provides a very efficient way to extract more power from the engine, rather than taking the route of a much larger displacement and, in the process, adding to the weight and therefore to fuel consumption. This explains why the more dynamic performance and driving enjoyment does not come at the expense of higher fuel consumption and emissions.

The new BMW TwinPower Turbo four-cylinder petrol engine's displacement of 1,997 cc delivers maximum power of 180 kW/245 hp at 5,000 rpm while, thanks to twin-scroll turbocharging, the maximum torque of 350 Nm is developed at just 1,250 rpm and remains constant up to 4,800 rpm. These statistics translate to sheer dynamic performance: the new BMW 328i accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 5.9 seconds, on its way to an electronically governed top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph). The engine responds instantly when the driver demands more throttle, and the vigorous and almost linear power delivery from only slightly above idle, which continues all the way into the higher rpm range, is duly impressive.

The average fuel consumption of the BMW 328i in the EU test cycle is just 6.4 litres per 100 km (44.1 mpg imp), an 11 per cent (!) improvement on its 160 kW/218 hp predecessor. There is a similar improvement in CO2 emissions, which now stand at 149 grams per kilometre. The improvement is even more pronounced if the vehicle is equipped with the new eight-speed automatic, in which case fuel consumption is rated at just 6.3 litres per 100 km (44.8 mpg imp), with CO2 emissions at 147 grams per kilometre (-15%).

BMW TwinPower Turbo technology in the new four-cylinder engi