New Car Review of the 2006 BMW 3 Series Compact Near-Luxury Sedan

Description: Compact Near-Luxury Sedan
Base MSRP Range: Not Yet Available
Invoice Price Range: Not Yet Available
Where built: Not Yet Available

A number of new BMW models, presently in production, land in North America during 2005. First ashore will be the next generation of designs for BMW's best-selling 3-Series string of compact cars.

The 325i and 330i sports sedans of 2006 ride on an expanded rear-wheel-drive (RWD) platform with a longer wheelbase and wider track to enhance chassis dynamics and hone the handling traits. Revamped six-cylinder engines drop into the new 3-Series sedans, including a lightweight 3.0-liter plant for 330i rated at 258 hp.

The compacts also carry a load of sophisticated electronic vehicle controls adapted from BMW's mid-size 5-Series sedans, such as Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) with added features. BMW's 'intelligent' AWD device called xDrive is available. Adjustable and infinitely variable, the xDrive system can direct the engine's power to whichever axle, front or rear, has the best traction bite. xDrive works with the computerized four-wheel Dynamic Stability Control (DSC-x) mechanism and a four-wheel traction control system (TCS-x) which can correct potentially dangerous skid movements.