BMW preps three new six-cylinder engines

Next month BMW will officially introduce three new six-cylinder powerplants designed for the current 2007 BMW 3 Series model range. Among them, there will be a twin-turbocharged 2,993cc diesel engine, featuring 286 horsepower.







The diesel monster will be available in the 3 Series sedan, touring and coupe models, available from September 2006 under the 335d badge. The turbochargers will work in a special sequence, when the smaller turbocharger is available from 1,500 rpm, delivering hefty 95 per cent of maximum torque and reaching 580 Nm by 1,750 rpm, and the bigger one starts working closer to 4,400 rpm, helping to achieve a maximum power of 286 hp.

The engine is good enough to accelerate the 335d Coupe from zero to 62 mph in just 6.1 seconds, while generally slower Sedan and Touring achieve the same acceleration by 6.2 and 6.3 seconds respectively. The top speed is electronically limited at 155 mph, Carpages reports.

The second diesel offers less performance but, at the same time, lets save a buck or two on fuel consumption, as even 325d Touring achieves with this engine considerable 42.8 mpg. The 3 Series Sedan is even better off, featuring 44.1 mpg and just 171 g/km of CO2 emissions.

With this engine, the 3.0-liter 325d Sedan makes it from zero to 62 mph in 7.4 seconds and achieves a top speed of 146 mph. The 325d Touring gets to 62 mph in 7.6 seconds and has a top speed of 145 mph.

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