The new 3-liter engine will find its first home in the coupe, followed by the sedan and convertible. In Europe it is available in the Touring (read station wagon) as well - a vehicle we hope will join the other 3's in our market, especially in four-wheel drive form.
The new engine is wonderfully smooth. The power comes on quickly, surging to redline without effort. The accelerator pedal connecting you to all this power is extremely light and responsive, when compared to previous models. BMW has chosen to replace its mechanical system with a much more efficient electronic one, giving its driver even more immediate control.
The 5-speed manual transmission moves like a fine Swiss timepiece, endowing the BMW with a precise shift. It is so wonderful, that you may find yourself shifting just for the joy of shifting.
Leaving the A92 I veer off into the countryside toward Worth. The roads become narrower and the traffic less heavy as we enter the rural back roads that connect picturesque township after township. It's not difficult to understand BMW's reasoning for inviting us to experience the new 3-liter engine in the surroundings that inspired its creation. The long strait patches interwoven with delectable curves, crests and undulating dips create the perfect canvas to experience the art of driving.
And art it is! The BMW 330Ci is extremely light on its feet. It feels as if there is virtually nothing that this coupe can't handle. Just as that thought enters my mind, while careening around a tight corner a large highway truck pulls across my path - causing one of those moments when your stomach moves north to inhabit your throat. With a quick stab from the left foot, the BMW's awesome ABS brakes haul the car down to a crawl within milliseconds. An accident is avoided where a mere mortal car might have collided. Whew!