BEEMER GOES AGGRO

The BMW8217;s new 3-Series diesel variant provides unfettered luxury. At Rs 30 lakh, you are not looking for much more

If you thought it wasn8217;t possible to make a Beemer any more desirable, think again. The German luxury car manufacturer has done it to the 320d by launching the Highline diesel variant. More luxury at a higher price, but then cost has never been a primary concern for a BMW buyer; comfort is what matters most. The new goodies in this 3-Series variant include lighter and snazzier alloy wheels, xenon lights, sun-roof for those who like to stick their necks out and the famous iDrive computer system.

At first glance, one does little more than ogle at the diesel beauty. The trademark kidney grill gives the sedan a bold and aggressive look. Thanks to the BMW8217;s controversial design team, which enjoys a love-and-hate relationship with Beemer fans, the 320d is a mean machine with flawless curves. As much as the posh, yet sporty, sedan is a joy to drive, you can8217;t help admiring each curve and line, starting from the bonnet to the C-pillar that merges with the coupe-silhouette boot8212;which, incidentally, is a little small.

Not only is the 320d a fine piece of machine but is also solid as a tank. The Highline8217;s best feature is the iDrive that can be used for accessing any information about the car, be it the next servicing, punctures, fuel economy, average speed or the music system controls. The interiors are expectedly lush, with an expensive feel to the dual-tone beige-and-black and wood finish. This variant gets the standard six-speed automatic gear box and a multi-functional steering wheel. Even though the buttons are helpful on the wheel, it would have been more convenient to press the horn if all the buttons were on one side. The front seats pamper the passengers and can be adjusted electronically to the required positions. As most BMW owners are likely to be chauffeur-driven, the good news is that the rear seats are very comfortable too. What the 3 Series lacks is legroom for the back passengers, even as the storage box between the front seats has limited space.

The Highline comes with automatic driving light control, rain sensor, fuel efficiency reading, Bluetooth for mobile phone8217;s hands-free, parking sensor, climate control and anti-lock braking system to make your tech-savvy brain reel.

The new variant is not all about good looks but also raw power: the Highline pumps out 158 bhp. It might not sound impressive, but the sedan cruises at 140-150 kmph. Not fast enough? On an empty stretch, it will dash to over 200 kmph without a protest.

The 1,995 cc common rail engine is loud, but only if you8217;re standing outside the car. Inside, the engine is quiet as a mouse and very smooth. Its sheer power is also credited to the automatic gear box which helps change gears at the precise time. The car can also be put into the sport mode and it will happily leave the traffic behind.

The handling of the 320d Highline is like that of any other BMW: awesome. The car8217;s response is so precise that it feels like a sports car.

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It gives a very good fuel average as well. In the city it gives 8.7 kmpl, while on the highway, if you are not zooming at 150 kmph, it will return a decent 10.4 kmpl. For a BMW buyer, the figures are of academic interest. For, at Rs 30,70,000 Delhi ex-showroom, comfort and luxury are all that one is looking for.