BMW is poised to launch two new compact executive diesel models which the company believes will bury the popular perception of diesels, as noisy, smelly and slow, once and for all.
The four-cylinder 320d saloon is available now and the 320d SE Touring will be available in January 2000.
The new 3 Series Saloon has already achieved considerable success in the UK with four and six cylinder petrol engines, but has not been able to offer a car to meet the demands of diesel advocates.
The new BMW 320d, not only addresses this demand with its 1,951cc four-cylinder direct injection (DI) diesel engine which produces the highest power outputs of any production diesel engine in its class. Performance figures achieved by the 320d include a top speed of 129 mph, 0-62 mph acceleration in 9.9 seconds, and 50-75 mph acceleration in fourth gear in 8.7 seconds.
The 320d's combined EU consumption is a miserly 49.6 mpg, 11 per cent better than the 318tds it replaces.
Emissions, too, more than meet the requirements for next year's EU3 regulations thanks to efficient recirculation of cooled exhaust gases and an oxidisation catalyst.
The BMW 320d will also be available as a Special Equipment model (SE). Prices are £21,345 for the BMW 320d and £22,645 for the 320d SE.
Story date: Wednesday 03 November
Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.
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