The main technical innovations are the new twin-turbo engine that delivers 300 hp and the exclusive BMW xDrive all-wheel drive system, available for the first time in a coupé.

This new twin-turbo inline six cylinder features high-precision fuel injection and an all-aluminum crankcase and will be featured on the 335i Coupe, while the other model in the range, the 328i Coupe, is powered by an aspirated inline six-cylinder engine that makes use of a weight-saving blend of magnesium and aluminum for the crankcase and delivers 230 horsepower and 200 lb-ft of torque.

The 335i Coupe accelerates from 0 – 60 mph in just 5.3 seconds and has an electronically-limited top speed of 150 mph. With 0 – 60 mph acceleration in just 6.2 seconds, the “entry-level” 328i Coupe is quicker than the previous top-of-the-line 330Ci Coupe.

Both models come standard with a six-speed manual gearbox. As an option, a six-speed Steptronic automatic transmission is available: on the 225i Coupe, it comes with steering wheel mounted shift paddles included.

Design

The premium character of the newest BMW Coupe is recognizable from the very first glance. Over and above the basic shape of the car and its elegant lines, the graphic design of the headlights, the detail of the rear taillights, the interior and even the exterior mirrors were specifically crafted for the new Coupe. These unique design elements reflect the unique character of this elegant and sporty new car.

The character of any coupe is reflected in its profile. On the new BMW 3 Series Coupe the profile is unmistakably BMW. The long hood reflects BMW’s adherence to its tradition of inline six-cylinder engines. The long wheelbase, the passenger compartment set back as well as the low, sleek roofline which slopes gently into the trunk, are all characteristic of BMW Coupes.

In addition to the classic proportions, the shoulder, character and sill lines serve to enhance the sleek appearance. Both the shoulder line and character line stretch uninterrupted to the back of the car, allowing one’s eye to move quickly and smoothly from front to rear along the entire length of the car. The sill line on the lower edge of the door also flows into the front and rear air dams, reinforcing the dynamic nature of BMW’s newest Coupe.

The combination of lines flowing into one another reflects the performance potential. While the shoulder line rises slightly but consistently from front to rear, the character line flows in a long, stretched arch all the way from the front fender to the taillights. As the sill line, by contrast, moves up slightly to the rear in a slow and gentle curve, the distance between the character and sill lines becomes smaller around the rear wheel arches. The flare of the fender around the wheel also serves to give the character line extra tension in both an upward and outward direction.

The front view also shows a significant distinction from the 3 Series Sedan and Sports Wagon. The contours of the hood as well as the design of the front air dam and headlights give the new BMW 3 Series Coupe a particularly low and sporty look. The powerdome on the hood foretells the performance potential which lies beneath. Its lines follow a powerful silhouette extending all the way from the A-pillars to the outside corners of the BMW kidney grill.

The kidney grille, a typical feature of every BMW, stands out from the surfaces around it. Interaction with the three-dimensional kidney frame creates a look of power and unique style.

The headlight units on the new BMW 3 Series Coupe also have a unique look. With the hood extending beyond the headlights as such, the characteristic four round headlights appear to have been cut-off at the top creating a sense of powerful, concentrated focus.

The design of taillights is also unique to the new 3 Series Coupe. Integrated flush into the body of the car, the lights are split into two sections and extend all the way up to the trunk lid, blending with the character lines from the side profile. Horizontal LED taillights give the car an unmistakable look at night. The horizontally flowing lines accentuate the wide track and low stance of the new Coupe.

The designers’ objective was to give the new 3 Series Coupe a balanced and harmonious look. The traditional “Hofmeister kink” at the bottom edge of the C-pillar now extends at an even more distinct angle into the shoulder line. To further accentuate this flow of lines, the window accent surround is now made in one single piece.

The exterior mirrors have been specifically designed and matched to the unique character of the new 3 Series Coupe. The contours of the mirrors reflect the profile lines while the mirrors blend seamlessly with the car’s overall design.

Interior

The emphasis on individual style, dynamic performance and exclusivity continues within the interior. Horizontal lines dominate the surfaces on and around the instrument panel which blend with the lines of the center console and door panels to give the interior a light but dynamic feel. In true BMW fashion the instrument cluster and key controls are angled toward the driver.

Controls for the climate control as well as the audio and navigation systems are within easy reach of the front passenger.

An elegant ambience is created in the interior by special lighting and switches. In particular, the light contour edge on the door and side panels, which runs from the door pillar all the way to the rear passenger area, creates a particularly warm, indirect lighting effect.

Controls and switches used frequently by the driver and passengers such as the door handles and gearshift are finished in high quality metallic trim for an elegant appearance as well as a premium tactile experience.

Chassis and suspension

Traditional rear-wheel drive and a near 50:50 front-to-rear weight distribution give the new BMW 3 Series Coupe ideal qualities for optimum driving dy­namics. The suspension system features a double-pivot front suspension with spring struts made almost entirely of aluminum in combination with a five-link suspension at the rear.

Reinforcement and support elements on the underfloor of the car serve to optimize the stiffness of the chassis which enables the suspension to work with the highest possible degree of precision.

The brake system is enhanced by BMW’s latest Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), that incorporates several new functions: Dynamic Brake Control automatically maximizes brake pressure whenever required in an emergency stop. Start-Off Assistant briefly holds the car when setting off on an uphill grade. Dynamic Traction Control raises the threshold for intervention by the brakes, enabling the driver of a BMW 3 Series Coupe to set off smoothly on low friction surfaces such as snow. The DSC can be completely deactiveated by the driver.

BMW’s intelligent xDrive all-wheel-drive system will be available as an alternative in the 328xi Coupe tha will be sold this fall.

Body structure

Reinforced B-pillars are a particularly impressive example of the high standard of development and excellence in design that the new BMW 3 Series Coupe has achieved, with a tubular structure throughout the B-pillars featured for the first time for added strength. This tubular reinforcement is made of ultra-strong steel in a warm-molding process and is heat-treated for top quality while still in the mold. The reinforcement tube is variably contoured in its cross-section, exactly matching the space available. Together with the crash box tailored to the loads, which act on the body, this ensures maximum safety.

The choice of materials and the arrangement of components at other points on the body also serve to optimize crash safety. The various properties of different types of steel and other materials are used to best effect. The space available for deformation on the new BMW 3 Series Coupe is used to minimize even the slightest impairment of the passenger cell. In a head-on collision, for example, dynamic deformation areas at the front keep impact energy away from the bulkhead and, ac­cordingly, from the car’s footwells. In the event of a side-impact collision, the specially designed floor assembly ensures control­led transfer of forces acting on the car to the opposite side of the body.

The bulkhead support is made of innovative multi-phase steel offering outstanding strength and stability even on thin-gauge panels. Efficient interaction of the doors, the reinforced b-pillars, the seat structure and the instrument panel between the A-pillars serves likewise to maximize the strength of the side structure. The con­se­quen­ces of a collision from the rear are minimized by longi­tudinal carrier bars, a wide range of reinforcement elements, as well as the extra-strong luggage compartment floor panel, rear panel and side walls. Stable pillars and crossbars also help protect the passenger area in a rollover.

Centrally master­mind­ed restraint and support systems within the passenger com­part­ment ensure individual occupant safety tailored for any contingency. The frontal, hip, side airbags along with curtain-type Head Protection System, belt latch tensioners and belt force limiters are activated by sensor-con­trolled electronic safety systems as a function of the type and sever­ity of a collision. With its robust body enhanced by a wide range of active and passive safety features, the new BMW 3 Series Coupe meets all requirements for optimum results in all crash tests.

With active driving calling for optimum visibility at night, the new BMW 3 Series Coupe comes stand­ard in the U.S. with xenon adaptive headlights. Light rods in the rear light clusters stand out distinctly for a significant improvement of safety in the dark.

Whether in the dark or during the day, two-stage adaptive brake lights make an important contribution in enabling following drivers to recognize a dangerous situation well in advance. Whenever the driver applies the brakes particularly hard, and when the ABS function is activated, light intensity in the two-stage taillights is increased accordingly, prompting drivers following from behind to brake harder, too.

(Source: Bmw)