BMW India has added another edition to their 3-Series lineup in India, launching the 320d Edition Sport. Now if you were hoping for an M-style package, calm down, it’s a diesel. In fact, mechanically it’s just about the same as any other diesel BMW 3-Series. It gets the BMW TwinPower Turbo diesel 4-cylinder engine that makes 190hp and 400Nm of torque. The new model will be built at BMW’s Chennai plant and will be open for bookings from today. Prices will command a small premium over the standard 3, starting at Rs 38.6 lakh ex-showroom pan-India. What you do get for the premium price tag, other than the Sports badge includes an additional range of upholstery options that will include Sensatec Black/Red highlight, Black and Sensatec, Veneto Beige and Veneto Beige. BMW has also ditched the chrome kidney grill and has given it a gloss-black finish, to add to the subtle muscle appeal. The interiors get sportier seats with red stitching, making it all feel very sporty inside. You also get shifty-paddles from the regular 3 behind the wheel, to make it more hands on to drive. To add to the distinguished appeal, BMW has also included a red-decorative trim key to boot.
The 320d edition sport will also get a Steptronic Sport automatic transmission. What is new is that the Edition Sport will come with a launch control system which according to BMW will “pave the way for ambitious drivers to achieve optimum acceleration under all conditions”. Gimmicky, as it is, who wouldn’t like a car with launch control, even if it is a diesel. Safety features will remain the same as on the 3 with six airbags, Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) with brake assist, Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) including Dynamic Traction Control (DTC), Cornering Brake Control (CBC), Side-impact Protection, ISOFIX child seat mounting, Run-flat tyres (RFT) with reinforced sidewalls, emergency spare wheel, electronic vehicle immobiliser and crash sensor.
