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BMW now offers revised 320d and 330d models, and while power and torque are up, fuel consumption remains unchanged.
The diesel units offered on the 3 Series range have previously been restricted to accommodate inferior quality fuel, but BMW SA has announced that it will lift this restriction on diesel models sold locally.
Power up
The BMW 330d now boasts 170 kW of power at 4 000 r/min and 500 Nm of torque between 1 750 r/min and 2 750 r/min. This allows it to sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in just 6.7 seconds and on to an electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h.
Previous versions of the BMW 330d delivered 160kW and 480Nm, whilst acceleration from rest to 100km/h took 6.9 seconds with top speed pegged at 246 km/h.
In the same vein, the 320d also benefits from increased output, now producing 130 kW at 4 000 r/min and 350 Nm of torque at 2 000 r/min. Performance is up, too; the new version sprints from 0 - 100 km/h in 7.9 seconds and hits a top speed of 230 km/h compared with the previous version's 8.1-second sprint and 227-km/h top speed.
Power and torque figures on the previous version were 125 kW and 340 Nm.
Quoted fuel consumption figures remain at 6.5 l/100 km for the 330d and 5.5 l/100 km for the 320d.
Sport Edition
In addition to the power gains for the 3 Series diesels, BMW SA has also announced that it is releasing a Sport Edition for the entire 3 Series range.
Only 300 units will be produced between June and September 2008 and the model will be differentiated from current M Sport models in a number of ways.
Apart from a sporting suspension set-up, the M Sports Package featured as standard on this model includes M Aerodynamics Package. This comes with modified bumpers and side-sills, sports seats, an M leather steering wheel, fog lamps on the four-cylinder models, and aluminium interior trim.
Standard equipment also includes new 18-inch wheels bearing the BMW Motorsport logo. They are, after all, identical to the wheels used on BMW's World Touring Car championship campaigner…
Other features are "sport edition" embossing on the backrest of the front seats, aluminium door entry sills bearing the same words, while an Extended Light Package and Hi-Fi Loudspeaker System.
The Sport Edition will only be available in three colours, Ruby Red Metallic and Status Grey Metallic (125 units each), and Crimson Red (50 units).
Sport Edition models and the more powerful diesels are available at BMW dealerships immediately.
Prices standard list price including the Sport Edition package
320i - R 320 000
323i - R 334 000
325i - R 363 000
330i - R 418 500
335i - R 461 500
320d - R 351 500
330d - R 417 000
