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They say 275 hp at rear wheels, and 300 lb-ft of torque.

Also, 0-60 in 5.1 sec, and 1/4 in 13.6

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The 2007 BMW 335i will be in showrooms next month, and is the first application of BMW’s new twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six. This is a big deal because BMW has had only two short affairs with turbocharged gasoline production cars--the 2002 Turbo in the mid-70s, and the E23 745i in the early 80s--and neither was sold in the U.S. As the saying goes, third time’s the charm.

BMW fit this new engine with two small-displacement turbochargers--instead of one larger unit--in an effort to reduce lag. And for the most part, it worked. Behind the wheel, you’re vaguely aware that this engine doesn’t have quite as crisp a throttle response as its normally-aspirated siblings do. But you don’t care--you’re too busy trying to hold on for dear life.

This is one hell of a motor, pulling smoothly and strongly from idle all the way to its 7000-rpm fuel cutoff. There’s no boost gauge, and since you barely hear the turbos spooling, it’s easy to forget they’re even there. Once you’ve adjusted to the slight lag in power delivery following big, sudden throttle openings, all you notice is the sound of that silky in-line six.

BMW says that this engine makes 300 horsepower and 300 lb-ft of torque. We were so impressed with its power that we couldn’t help wonder if that was a conservative rating. Wasting no time, I swiped the keys and drove to a local dyno shop to find out.

We used a DynoJet chassis dyno, which measures an engine’s power output at a vehicle’s rear wheels. Because of frictional driveline losses, this number is always lower--generally by fifteen to twenty percent--than the quoted power output from the manufacturer, which is measured at the engine itself.

Here’s what we found:

The non-turbocharged 330i, rated by BMW at 255 hp and 220 lb-ft of torque, puts about 200 hp and 180 lb-ft to the rear wheels. That’s roughly a twenty-percent loss. Since they have similar drivelines, you’d expect the 335i to put down 235 hp and 250 lb-ft.

But it didn’t. It put down a whole lot more: 275 hp and 300 lb-ft. A few quick taps on our trusty calculator shows that this engine is likely putting out closer to 350 hp and 360 lb-ft of torque.

Technical editor Don Sherman’s ears perked up at all this number crunching. With all that power, he wondered, is the 335i faster than the outgoing 333-hp E46 M3? We waved goodbye to the shiny new coupe’s rear tires, and sent him to find out.

Don coaxed the 335i to 60 mph in 5.1 seconds--only 0.3 seconds slower than the M3. The 335i covered the quarter-mile in 13.6 seconds @ 104 mph--again, only 0.2 seconds and 1 mph behind the M3.

So in an all-out drag race, the 335i comes close, but can’t quite match the M3’s blistering acceleration. Those numbers, though, only tell half the story. Have a look at the top-gear acceleration figures. In sixth gear, the M3 needs 14.7 seconds to get from 30 to 70 mph – but the 335i does it in only 12.5.


That, my friends, is the beauty of this engine. At full bore, it’s as fast as an M3. But at moderate engine speeds, it’s even faster. What a great way to keep us all interested until the next M3 comes along.


Test - M3 - 335i
0-60 - 4.8 - 5.1
0-100 - 11.5 - 12.7
0-110 - 14.5 - 15.6
0-120 - N/A - 18.6
0-140 - N/A - 28.2
1/4 mile - 13.4@105 - 13.6@104
peak g - 0.7 - 0.68
30-70 (6th) - 14.7 - 12.5
30-70 (3rd) - N/A - 6.5

70-0 - 162 - 150
Peak g - 1.12 - 1.12


Holy hell, this is a seriously fast car. I guess that confirms our hunch that this engine is much more powerful. I'm sure this engine will have a shot at the 3 liter category in next year's Engine of the year award.

Very interesting data and results. I have always said that the new 335i will be a very fast and flexible car. Fuel consumtion of a 6 cylinder with the power output of a V8, and with a very flat torque output over almost the entire rpm range.

To all the BMW faithful who have always said that small high reving natural aspiration engines are the ONLY way to go for a 3 series, this new forced induction 3.0L engine should convince you otherwise. The benefits of high torque will make this car far more easier to drive fast than the outgoing M3. Sure, you can get the same result by reving the M3 engine, but this 335i will likely kill the E46 M3 at lower rpm's. (Can't wait for the rolling 5-60mph test from Car & Driver... )

There are only 2 ways to get high torque at low rpm's: displacement (like the C55) or forced induction (like the 335i). The only way BMW can top the 335i is with a high reving LARGER DISPLACEMENT V8.......which is EXACTLY what they'll do for the next M3.

335i on the dyno - almost M3 powerrrr

Posted on Monday, 14 August 2006 for 23.22 wouter in - ONLY REGISTERED AND ACTIVATED USERS CAN SEE ALL LINKS - CLICK HERE TO REGISTER |

That the BMW are 335i an interesting small beast, can be inferred already from the raw specs. The men of - ONLY REGISTERED AND ACTIVATED USERS CAN SEE ALL LINKS - CLICK HERE TO REGISTER were curious how well 335i now exact be and therefore the BMW on a capacity bank it to put. The result is remarkable.
First of all must be noticed that measuring the engine capacity is rather tricky. The capacity is, as it happens, measured to the wheels and the loss in aandrijflijk must be added up there therefore. Some tuners have about that separate conceptions so that the exactly assembled capacity chip there what ends up more positive.
After the 335i that thanks to 3.0 litres zescylinder in line 306 pk and 400 nm kick out there. With aandrijfverlies of 15-20% around the 225 pk would be measured there would have, certainly because 330i with 258 pk late see a capacity to the wheels of 200 pk. Large the verassing thus then the meter on 275 pk was continued stand. With that the engine capacity would be around the 350 pk, a piece more than BMW gives up therefore.
335i therefore M3 (E46) of the previous generation quite must keep up be able. Automobilemag took the test on the sum and put there US spec M3 with 333 pk compared with. From stilstand the differences are very small: to 60 mph (96 km/u) only 0.3 seconden with (4.8 by 5.1 seconden). At the quarter mile the difference is only 0.2 seconden and then drives both BMW’s already almost 170. on the tussensprint in highest acceleration is 335i the even much faster, but that has been seen the much more favourable cross-belt curve no large verassing.
Winding up then: me seems the called 350 pk what seems given up 306 pk on the high side, but by BMW what low. 335i small 50 kilogrammes are heavier than M3, but are therefore also something slower. Study itself once more all - ONLY REGISTERED AND ACTIVATED USERS CAN SEE ALL LINKS - CLICK HERE TO REGISTER and draw your own conclusion.
With thanks to mbvt for the tip!

Hmmm, those numbers are as good if not better than S4's.

Link to video of dyno test... sounds good to me
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I wonder when we'll see tuners taking to this car! They could turn up the boost of the turbo just like that, getting 400bhp easily!

I don't think that's gonna happen quite yet. Not many drivers will be willing to void their warranties. Maybe a few years down the road, it will become common. Until then, I think only the "pros" will do it.

UPDATE:


Holy C***.
This is one bada$$ engine.

wow, very impressive number, though i am still kinda skeptic about whether should BMW use turbo or not...

Why?