BMW 3 Series and 5 Series diesels gain M Performance boost

Set to launch at next week’s 2012 Paris motor show, the BMW M Performance Power Kit brings a number of software and hardware upgrades to the 2.0-litre diesel engine fitted to the 120d, 320d and 520d variants.

The Power Kit, which introduces a larger intercooler and modified ECU mapping, boosts power from 135kW to 147kW and torque from 380Nm to 420Nm.

The extra oomph sees 0-100km/h acceleration times for the three variants fall by up to 1.0 second, yet has no impact on the cars’ combined cycle fuel consumption ratings.

BMW Australia’s Scott Croaker said the M Performance Power Kit is currently awaiting Australian Design Rule compliance approval and is expected to be available in the 320d and 520d from early 2013. (The 120d is not available locally and BMW Australia has no plans to offer it here.)

Croaker said it was too early to give exact pricing of the Power Kit but confirmed it would be “competitive with other performance upgrades on the market” – suggesting an approximate price in the region of $2000.

BMW says it will extend the M Performance Power Kit to vehicles equipped with its four-cylinder petrol engines in the future.

Joining the Power Kit cars on the stand in Paris will be a BMW 335i sedan showcasing a range of features from the brand’s M Performance accessories program.

Building on the already available M Sports package, the highly customised 335i adds 20-inch light alloy wheels, M Performance suspension and brake packages, carbon mirror caps and rear spoiler, and a high-gloss black radiator grille.

The cabin gets its own special touches, including an M Performance steering wheel with Race Display (an OLED display integrated into the upper section of the steering wheel showing a range of technical data such as oil and water temperatures and a shift point indicator), stainless steel pedals, Alcantara trim strips with open-pore carbon, and an Alcantara-bound gear knob and handbrake lever.

Croaker said with the exception of some suspension and exhaust systems, most of the M Performance accessories available overseas for the 1 Series, 3 Series and 5 Series would be made available in Australia.

BMW will also launch the 114d in Paris, which will become the new entry-level diesel in the premium hatchback line-up. The new variant is powered by a 1.6-litre four-cylinder diesel engine with 70kW and 235Nm. It sips fuel at a rate of 4.1-4.3L/100km combined and accelerates from 0-100km/h in 12.2 seconds.

Croaker said the 114d was not on the agenda for BMW Australia, as the local division does not see demand for the model locally.