A sports sedan traditionally includes a manual gearbox and rear-wheel-drive that provide drivers with a more intimate connection with the road, but the BMW 328i challenges that with an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive — features that will give a sports sedan purist pause.
My first impression as I slid into the driver's seat of our 328i tester was that the sedan was more about performance driving than luxury and comfort. That's not to say that the 328i lacks a well-appointed cabin. It's extremely comfortable with eight-way adjustable firm leather seats with the right amount of padding on the doors and center console to keep a driver comfortable yet alert and awake.
Our test BMW had a turbocharged in-line four-cylinder engine that put out 240 horsepower. BMW brands its all-wheel-drive feature as xDrive, in which power is distributed with a rear-wheel drive bias — a hard-to-live-without option for year-round New England driving.
The 328i's modest turbo provided plenty of might for around town and back-road driving. The extra gears from the eight-speed automatic transmission provided smooth and instantaneous power for passing on the highway. The sedan also has an auto start-stop function that turns the engine off when the car stops to conserve fuel. The feature can be deactivated if it becomes annoying.
The sedan has three driving modes — a fuel-sipping eco pro, comfort and sport. Switching to sport mode distinctively increased engine RPMs and acceleration. Toggling between the modes also changed the feel of the electronic-controlled steering. Four-wheel independent suspension allowed for spirited cornering with the ability to smooth out bridge expansion joints and other road bumps. Ventilated brakes, stability and traction controls provided peace of mind.
BMW takes safety technology to another level with its lane departure warning function. The feature not only uses warning lights to alert drivers if they unintentionally exit their lane but also sends an additional alert by vibrating the steering wheel.
Our test model, which topped out at just over $52,000, returned 33 mpg highway and 22 mpg city. While those gas mileage numbers are respectable, they are offset by the sedan's premium fuel requirement.
The 328i has four optional equipment lines — luxury, modern, sport and M sport. Our tester equipped with the modern package was elegantly styled. Understated aluminum trim on the grille, intakes, and front and rear bumpers played well against the mineral gray metallic exterior paint. And the 18-inch turbine-style alloy wheels served as a reminder of the sedan's performance abilities.
A 6.5-inch flat screen display in the center of the dashboard highlights the 328i's cockpit. Navigation and radio functions were easily accessed via a large dial located beside the shift lever. I found the 328i had good front and rear legroom and a spacious trunk. A split folding rear seat-back helps to create more trunk capacity. However, I found the sedan had limited storage along the doors and the center console cup holders were on the small side and too close together.
The 328i's all-wheel-drive option is a must-have for Northeast driving, and I personally liked the eight-speed automatic transmission. Sports sedan purists can drop the xDrive feature and go with a six-speed manual. Not enough power? More power can be found with the BMW 335i turbocharged six-cylinder.
There are plenty of other sports sedans worthy of consideration, but few can match the resale value of the BMW.
Anda sedang membaca artikel tentang
BMW 328i is all about performance
Dengan url
http://sedangapasaja.blogspot.com/2013/08/bmw-328i-is-all-about-performance.html
Anda boleh menyebar luaskannya atau mengcopy paste-nya
BMW 328i is all about performance
namun jangan lupa untuk meletakkan link
BMW 328i is all about performance
sebagai sumbernya
0 komentar:
Posting Komentar