BMW's latest 3 Series models, the 320d and 323i Touring have arrived Down Under.
The E90-based new-generation 3s (for more details click here) were launched to the local motoring media last week in South Australia. Although unveiled at the Melbourne Motor Show in February, stocks of the turbodiesel sedan and stylish six-cylinder petrol wagon wagon did not hit showrooms until this month.
The new Touring revives a popular BMW moniker, last used in the 3 Series in 2000. Despite it's badge, the Touring is not powered by a 2.3-litre engine, but rather a detuned 130kW/230Nm version of BMW's 2.5-litre lightweight mag-alloy six.
The six-speed manual 323i Touring kicks off at $68,900. Steptronic automatic transmission will set you back an additional $2600.
The 320d features the same 115kW/330NM four-cylinder turbodiesel as recently introduced in the 120d (read more here). The new-generation commonrail engine features four valves per cylinder and uses a variable geometry turbocharger to minimise turbo lag without sacrificing power.
No slouch, BMW claims a 8.9sec 0-100kmh sprint for the auto-only 320d. Combined fuel economy is stated as 6.7lt/100km.
Equipped at the same level as its petrol namesake (320i), the 320d kicks off at $56,700 with the 320d Executive (the Executive accounts for 90 per cent of 320i sales) from $61,500.
Meantime, in the lead up to the arrival of the new E92 3 Series Coupe later in 2006, BMW has beefed up the value of its outgoing E46 Coupe and Convertible models.
The 325Ci and 325Ci Highline Convertibles gain $3000 worth of onboard monitor with television tuner at no extra cost while the 320Ci and 325Ci coupes get over $8000 worth of goodies. These include the M Sport package, Sunroof and a 'Special Edition Package' comprising BMW Individual paint, Nappa leather upholstery, Birch Athracite wood trim and special mats, droor trims and steering wheel.
The latest 3 Series Coupe launches in Europe later this month. Keep an eye out for CarPoint's launch review of the new coupe (and 3 Series diesel and Touring variants) in coming weeks.