BMW's new diesel 3 Series features amazing torque that leads to drastically different vehicle dynamics than the gasoline version's. A new version of iDrive improves the cabin tech greatly.
Wayne Cunningham
Wayne Cunningham reviews cars and writes about automotive technology for CNET's Roadshow. Prior to the automotive beat, he covered spyware, Web building technologies, and computer hardware. He began covering technology and the Web in 1994 as an editor of The Net magazine.
BMW brings diesel to the U.S. with its 335d, a 3 Series using a twin-turbo, inline, six-cylinder engine.
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Many high-tech touches are employed around the car, such as these LED turn signals.
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Although it uses a diesel engine, the car looks the same as a standard 3-Series sedan.
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The engine has a configuration similar to that of the 3-liter, twin-turbo, gas engine, but uses common rail injection for the diesel fuel. It makes 265 horsepower and 425 pound-feet of torque.
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Our review car was wrapped in BMW's Efficient Dynamics slogan.
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This car wasn't equipped with the Sport package, meaning no sport-tuned suspension. As a result, it didn't perform as well in the corners as other BMWs we've tested.
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The emissions technology keeps the tailpipe fairly clean. Here, the engine is idling but there is not a trace of black smoke.
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In the cabin of the 335d, there's very little to indicate that this car is powered by diesel.
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The multifunction steering wheel is standard, with buttons for voice command and audio.
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With the diesel engine, the redline is at 5,000 rpm. BMW also includes an instant economy gauge, which used to be a standard feature.
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The six-speed automatic has a good sport program, making appropriate downshifts before corners. There is also a manual mode.
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The new iDrive controller is similar to the old one, although its joystick operation is restricted to four directions.
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The navigation system, as before, includes live traffic information and automatic rerouting.
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The 335d has optional iPod integration, which works very well, and also includes a simple USB interface.
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Bluetooth phone support is excellent in the 335d, letting you dial with this interface or selecting names from your cell phone's contact database.
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A sonar-parking system shows how close the car is to objects fore and aft.
