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F30 335i Sedan voted 'The sportiest car of 2013'

8K views 19 replies 10 participants last post by  vern 
#1 · (Edited)
BMW F30 335i sportiest car of 2013

The readers of the specialist German magazine "Sport Auto" have named three current BMW models as "The sportiest cars of 2013", expressing their preference for pure driving pleasure. In the diesel category, the BMW M550d xDrive was voted into first place again, continuing the trend it set the previous year. Two more first-in-class awards were won by the BMW 335i Sedan and the BMW 335i Coupe. This hat trick, the triple triumph in the current readers' vote, builds on the excellent results regularly achieved by BMW over a number of years in this definitive, long-established ballot. The "Sport Auto" Awards 2013 will be presented on 12th June 2013 at the Kunstmuseum Stuttgart.

BMW is pleased to have achieved a first place in the category of "Sedans costing under 50,000 Euros". For the first time, the new BMW 335i Sedan was voted number one. However, this year's success is really just the continuation of an established tradition, as the predecessor model had already been voted the sportiest car in its class three times in a row in previous years. Similarly, the class entitled "Coupes costing under 50,000 Euros" was also clearly dominated by BMW. With this year's vote, the BMW 335i Coupe has now been named top of its class by "Sport Auto" readers for the third time in a row. The major similarity between these two habitual winners and their decisive success factor is the inline six-cylinder engine equipped with BMW TwinPower Turbo technology. The 225 kW, 306 hp power unit has all of the characteristic virtues of the other six-cylinder BMW engines - a crisp, spontaneous response, superior high-revving characteristics and awesome running refinement - all of which are exhibited in a particularly efficient manner. An unparalleled balance between driving pleasure and fuel economy is achieved by combining a turbocharger working on the twin-scroll principle, with the High Precision Fuel Injection System and fully variable VALVETRONIC valve control.

BMW F10 M550d

With the world's most powerful six-cylinder diesel engine under the bonnet, the BMW M550d xDrive confidently lined up at this year's "Sport Auto" Awards to defend its title. With its three-stage turbo-charging and common-rail direct injection, the 3.0 litre engine develops a maximum output of 280 kW/381 hp and delivers a maximum torque of 740 newton meters. The specific chassis technology and aerodynamic balance, matched with typical M precision to the performance characteristics of the engine, crown the first-class sportiness of the most powerful diesel member of the BMW 5 Series. These attributes are shared by the BMW M550d xDrive Sedan and the BMW M550d xDrive Touring. These two models provide a sporty, exhilarating ride while never losing sight of their commitment to contemporary standards, achieving an average fuel consumption of 6.2 and 6.3 litres per 100 kilometres respectively, as determined by the EU test cycle.

The annual poll to determine the "sportiest cars" was carried out for the first time in 1980. This year, around 15,300 readers participated in the ballot. They were asked to name their favorite cars in 15 categories of production vehicles and in a further 10 classes for tuned vehicles, from a total of 230 current models.
 
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#2 ·
That's because they never drove 328i ...

:D
 
#14 ·
Ha, your first two sources prove your argument. Your third proves mine-having more torque and more power at higher revs is something I find appealing-no?

How about some more sources to validate my argument:

"The drivetrain in particular killed the Caddy***8217;s chance for a win. If the 2.0-liter does in fact make 272 horsepower at 5500 rpm, then it***8217;s only at 5500 rpm. At 5499 and 5501, it feels more like 230. Redline is 7000 rpm, but there***8217;s a notable softening beyond the power peak, and the engine starts sounding stressed well before that."

"In the most important regard, Cadillac succeeded in building an American 3-series. Now it needs to benchmark BMW***8217;s engine and transmission,"

"With less power and nearly as much weight, the BMW trounces the Caddy in a straight line. That***8217;s thanks to the BMW***8217;s seamless power delivery. As opposed to the ATS***8217;s brief lag, then rush of acceleration followed by a dramatic taper, the BMW***8217;s 2.0-liter offers one long uninterrupted flow from the torque peak at 1250 rpm to redline. The fuel cutoff is past seven grand, and the engine sounds and feels like it***8217;s aiming for nine."

That shows clearly my point, not just trans/drivetrain, they are stating the ATS does not have the ENGINE that the N20 328 has.

http://www.caranddriver.com/comparisons/2012-bmw-328i-vs-2013-cadillac-ats-comparison-test

Here is another article to support my point...
" The ATS was ultimately tripped up by two things that left it especially vulnerable against the BMW: its engine and gearbox."

" And though there's power lurking in its little 4-banger, the ATS suffers from turbo lag, a congested-sounding exhaust note and a power curve that feels too compressed. All the urge seems concentrated between 2500 and 6000 rpm, where the more flexible BMW zings and sings anywhere from 1500 to 7000 rpm."

"This engine is high in the running for best 4-cylinder on the market. Not only is the BMW's four stronger, faster to rev and lusher-sounding than the Caddy's, it delivered nearly 20 percent better real-world fuel economy. "

http://www.roadandtrack.com/car-reviews/car-comparison-tests/2013-cadillac-ats-premium

This source is a draw I suppose, as this edmunds test refers to the N20/8spd as the best drivetrain in the segment, so the 8spd kind of dilutes both sides of the argument.
http://www.edmunds.com/bmw/3-series/2013/comparison-test.html
C&D clearly prefers the N20, no question. That C&D test had a pre-production model ATS and its numbers were really weak compared GM's official info as well as the MT comparison. I posted the dyno comparison to show how similar these two engines are and it proves my point. Once you remove the transmission out of the equation the two are very close.
 
#16 ·
C&D clearly prefers the N20, no question. That C&D test had a pre-production model ATS and its numbers were really weak compared GM's official info as well as the MT comparison. I posted the dyno comparison to show how similar these two engines are and it proves my point. Once you remove the transmission out of the equation the two are very close.
I agree, based on dynos the two engines are very close. But one gets by on marketing of 270+hp and the other does not. The N20 also makes its power a bit wider.

I am not saying it is a blow out, but the N20 has an edge over the ATS 2.0T.

Cadillac also bragged about the low weight of the ATS which might only apply to the 2.5, as the tested 2.0T vs N20s if anything have showed the ATS weights a bit more than the 328.

Caddy can get way with the SAE numbers of the 2.0T due to the room of the 321hp claimed rating of the 3.6. Because BMW holds that the N55 makes 300hp(which we know it makes more), the N20 is held down with a 240hp rating. But look what happens when it gets to a dyno next to a "272"hp car.

I wonder what would happen to sales of the 328 and the 335 if your average consumer who knows just enough, enough to know HP is good, saw 270hp/280tq on the 328 and 320hp/320tq on the 335.
 
#6 ·
The award score (for those keeping track):

328i - 26

335i - 1

You keep going, you little 335i. At this rate, you'll have 6 victories under your belt by the time BMW retires you in 2015 as the 320i's volume renders you needless.

BJ
Source regarding this?
 
#15 ·
Yikes, magazine races!

Just something to think about: for 6 years the star of BMW's 3-series was an n54/n55 engine or otherwise a six cylinder engine. It carried that weight over the front axle with a long inline six.

Now BMW puts a 4-cyl in and everyone says the 4-cyl is lighter weight and carries the weight better. But my question is really, inline six vs. inline six do you actually feel the f30 inline six carries it's weight WORSE than the star-reviewed e90 and previous models.
 
#17 ·
I think it's a muddled answer due to the handling/chassis tuning. The E90 even with out sports pack felt more buttoned down than the F30. So now, the added weight of the N55 seems to pay a penalty that the E90 never paid with either engine. Magazines were quoted as saying the suspension on the F30 335 does not account for the N55 and that the N20 does not display those issues in the same way.
 
#18 ·
335i :thumbup:
 
#20 ·
+1:thumbup:
cheers
vern
 
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