BMW 3 Series - the milestones (1)

Munich. In the year 2008, the BMW Series engine range is presenting
itself as more diverse and efficient than ever before in its 33-year
history. There is a choice of five petrol and diesel engines for both
the Saloon and the Touring model. The performance spectrum ranges from
105 kW/143 bhp for the BMW 318i and the BMW 318d to 225 kW/306 bhp for
the 335i. The most significant commonality of all featured power units
is the exceptionally favourable balance between performance and fuel
consumption. All models in the BMW 3 Series have better fuel economy
and emission levels than their immediate rivals in each of their
respective performance classes - and some of them even considerably
better driving dynamics. 33 years of efficient dynamics.
Efficiency and dynamics - these two characteristics have been the
hallmarks of the BMW 3 Series for 33 years now. Even the first
generation of the medium class saloon managed to spark enthusiasm with
a sporty performance untypical of its segment in those days and at the
same time convinced with exceedingly high fuel economy. Today the BMW 3
Series owes its exceptional position predominantly to the current BMW
EfficientDynamics measures which are standard features on all models.
Engines with an exceptionally high degree of efficiency, intelligent
energy management inside the vehicle, lightweight construction and
optimised aerodynamics are the result of a development strategy to
achieve better driving dynamics coupled with a reduction in fuel
consumption. BMW engine designers have considered themselves bound to
this principle for some time now. It is precisely for this reason
that the success story of the BMW 3 Series from 1975 to this day has
been influenced by numerous innovations from which both performance and
fuel economy have profited. One example above all clearly demonstrates
how fast drivetrain engineering has developed and how significant these
changes have become over period of time: Whilst a BMW 324d of the year
1985 with an output of 63 kW/86 bhp had a fuel consumption of 6.9 litres
of diesel over a distance of 100 km on an EU average, the latest top of
the range 3 Series diesel model, the BMW 335d with a precisely 200 bhp
higher output, today even burns 0.2 litres less diesel over the same
distance! Milestones in BMW 3 Series engine development: 1975: World
premiere of the BMW 3 Series featuring four four-cylinder engines. 1977:
BMW 323i and BMW 320/6 - the first six-cylinder models in the BMW 3
Series. 1982: Presentation of the second generation of the BMW 3
Series. 1984: BMW 325e with a six-cylinder eta engine for particularly
good fuel economy. 1985: Premiere of the BMW 324d, the first
diesel-powered model in the BMW 3 Series. 1989: Introduction of
four-valve technology to high volume production with the launch of the
BMW 318is. 1990: Launch of the third generation of the BMW 3 Series.
1992: VANOS featured in the BMW M3 and six-cylinder versions of the BMW
3 Series Coupe. 1994: BMW 318tds with the first four-cylinder diesel
engine in the BMW 3 Series. 1995: Six-cylinder petrol engines with
aluminium crankcase. 1998: Launch of the fourth generation of the BMW 3
Series. 2000: Six-cylinder petrol and diesel engines each with a
3-litre cubic capacity. 2001: BMW presents throttle-free load control
VALVETRONIC featured on the four-cylinder engine of the BMW 316ti
compact. 2004: BMW 320Cd Convertible - the first open top BMW to feature
a diesel engine. 2005: Presentation of the fifth generation of the BMW 3
Series, new six-cylinder petrol engines with a composite
magnesium-aluminium crankcase. 2007: BMW 335i Coupe with Twin Turbo and
High Precision Injection. Direct petrol injection for lean burn
operation in the six-cylinder models BMW 330i and BMW 325i as well as
the four-cylinder models BMW 320i and BMW 318i, four-cylinder diesel
with aluminium crankcase and third-generation Common-Rail Injection.
2008: Five models from the BMW 3 Series with a CO2 emission level of
between 123 and 131 grams per km. Progress in figures: 1985: BMW
324d, six-cylinder diesel, 63 kW/86 bhp, 6.9 litres/100 km (average in
an EU test cycle). 2008: BMW 335d, six-cylinder diesel, 210 kW/286 bhp,
6.7 litres/100 km. 1994: BMW 318tds, four-cylinder diesel, 66 kW/90 bhp,
5.9 litres/100 km. 2008: BMW 318d, four-cylinder diesel, 105 kW/143 bhp,
4.7 litres/100 km. 1978: BMW 323i, six-cylinder petrol engine, 105
kW/143 bhp, 7.9 litres/100 km (measured at a constant speed of 100
km/h). 2008: BMW 330i, six-cylinder petrol engine, 200 kW/272 bhp, 7.2
litres/100 km. 1985: BMW 325e, six-cylinder petrol engine, 90 kW/122
bhp, 8.4 litres/100 km. 2008: BMW 330i, six-cylinder petrol engine, 200
kW/272 bhp, 7.2 litres/100 km. 2001: BMW 316ti compact, four-cylinder
petrol engine with VALVETRONIC, 85 kW/115 bhp, 6.9 litres/100 km. 2008:
BMW 318i, four-cylinder petrol engine with High Precision Injection, 105
kW/143 bhp, 5.9 litres/100 km.