(BMW press release)

NEW GENERATION DIESELS FROM BMW
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 dirty, once and for all. The four cylinder 320d Saloon makes its debut at the London Motor Show (October 21-31) while its larger cousin, the six cylinder 330d SE, will reach BMW showrooms early in 2000. The 320d SE Touring will be available in January and 330d SE Touring in May 2000.

The BMW 320d - sporting, economical and clean

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, which is on sale immediately, not only addresses this demand but also offers a true alternative to many petrol-powered compact executive cars.

This extraordinary 1951cc four cylinder direct injection (DI) diesel engine produces the highest specific power and torque outputs of any production diesel engine in its class - 68bhp and 140Nm (103 lb ft) per litre. In total it produces 136bhp and an astonishing 280Nm (206 lb ft) of torque, the same high level as the 328i petrol engine, yet it delivers all this pulling power much lower down the rev range - from 1750 rpm.

Unsurprisingly this is reflected in the performance figures achieved by the 320d - a top speed of 129 mph, 0-62 acceleration in 9.9 seconds, and, the real measure of on-road performance, 50-75 mph acceleration in fourth gear in a mere 8.7 seconds, only a tad slower than a 328i saloon.

Such performance, however, has not prejudiced the new car's fuel efficiency. Aided by a long 2.47:1 final drive ratio and a five speed manual gearbox with a direct fifth gear, the 320d's combined EU consumption is a miserly 49.6 mpg, 11 per cent better than the 318tds it replaces. Emissions, too, exceed the requirements for next year's EU3 regulations thanks to efficient recirculation of cooled exhaust gases and an oxidisation catalyst.

Inside the jewel
Despite achieving success with so many conflicting values - performance, economy and emissions - BMW engineers have created a jewel of a four cylinder DI engine which feels much more like a smooth straight six.

Below are just a few of the technological innovations and refinements which have endowed the 320d with such versatility.

• A new radial-piston injection pump which allows high injection pressures of 1350 bar (more than 1700 at the jet itself)
• Much reduced 'knocking' (a characteristic of DI engines) due to a two stage cam. A small volume of fuel is injected to allow the combustion process to start softly and more quietly before the main quantity is delivered
• A high pressure turbocharger with Variable Nozzle Turbine (VNT) which allows the turbo vanes to adjust position according to engine loading. This ensures high pressure and higher torque at low revs yet maintaining extra power at high engine speeds
• Four valves per cylinder
• Intercooler
• Reduced friction inside the engine

The BMW 320d will also be available as a Special Equipment model (SE) and both will offer the high standard equipment levels as BMW's best selling 318i and 318i SE models respectively. Prices are �21,345 for the BMW 320d and �22,645 for the 320d SE. A BMW 320d SE Touring will follow in early 2000 priced at �23,545.

The Diesel 'muscle car' - BMW 330d SE
Early in 2000, the 320d will be joined by the 330d SE, the first of a new breed of diesel 'muscle' cars. Powered by BMW's highly-praised common rail DI 3.0 straight six cylinder engine from the 530d, the 330d SE develops a massive 390Nm (287 lb ft) of torque from as low as 1750 rpm. The 330d SE therefore delivers more torque than a 535i, which, combined with a healthy 184bhp power output, produces a stealthy machine which accelerates from 0-62 mph in 7.8 secs and reaches a top speed of 141 mph.

As is particularly true of diesel engines, however, the 'real' performance can best be gauged by in-gear acceleration times and in this respect the 330d SE is peerless. Accelerating from 50 to 75 mph in fourth gear takes only 6.9 seconds, faster than any other diesel car on offer, and yet the parsimonious 330d SE still delivers an average fuel consumption of 41.5 mpg in the EU combined cycle.

Priced at �26,995, with a high standard specification, the BMW 330d SE will be available form British dealers in January, 2000. A Touring version will follow in the Spring.

"Although the UK Government's obstinate denial of diesel benefits, and illogical diesel price policy, contrasts with the combined wisdom of other EU member states, there is still a healthy demand for diesel cars here", said Kevin Gaskell, Managing Director of BMW GB. "This is one sector of the market in which we have been unable to compete effectively in the recent past".

"The 320d SE is a superb package of performance, efficiency and affordability whilst the 330d SE will break new ground by offering a real performance diesel model in the compact executive sector for the first time" he continued. "The really bad news for our competitors is that these diesels are truly good enough to attract even dyed-in-the-wool petrol owners too".