BMW->ke178 expanded its U.S. 3-Series->ke290 lineup with the addition of a new, diesel-powered version. This model, called the 328d, made its world debut at the 2013 New York International Auto Show on March 27th and hits showrooms in the fall of 2013.

The new 328d sedan is joined by the 328d xDrive Sports Wagon. As with all the other models in the 3 Series lineup, buyers can order the new 328d in Luxury, Sport and Modern Lines, or with the M Sport package.

The 328d comes fitted with a four-cylinder diesel engine and buyers can opt for either rear-wheel drive or BMW's xDrive all-wheel drive. BMW reports that once the EPA gets around to testing the 328d that it will deliver about 45 mpg. Beyond the diesel engine and a few badges, everything else is shared with the rest of the 3 Series lineup.

Updated 08/01/2013: BMW announced prices for the 2014 328d that will go on sale later this fall at a base price of $38,600.

Hit the jump to read more about the 2014 BMW 328d.

2014 BMW 328d

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2014 BMW 328d
  • Horsepower: 180
  • Torque: 280
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

Exterior

The new 328d comes with the same exterior language as the gasoline-powered version. Up front, you can see the usual BMW kidney grille, new headlamps with LED accents going all the way to the new grille. BMW replaced the central air intake with two larger intakes to help keep the diesel engine nice and cool.

The optional M Sport package adds 18-inch 400M Style wheels, special body parts, chrome tailpipes and exclusive exterior paintwork.

Exterior Dimensions

Length (In.)

182.5

Width (Mirrors Excl.) (In.)

71.3

Height (In.)

56.3

Wheelbase (In.)

110.6

Curb Weight (Lbs.)

3,460


Standard Exterior Features

-Star Spoke (Style 393) 17-by-7.5-inch light-alloy wheels and 225/50 run-flat, all-season tires

-Tire Pressure Monitor

-Halogen high- and low-beam headlights

-Halogen free-form front fog lights

Interior

The interior is also similar to the remainder of the 3 Series models. It offers plenty of space, a wide variety of storage compartments and even greater practicality. Depending on the trim level -- Sport Line, Luxury Line, and Modern Line -- customers can choose between black and red accents, high-gloss chrome trim, or a satin aluminum look.

Interior Dimensions

Front

Headroom (In.)

40.3

Legroom (In.)

TBA

Shoulder Room (In.)

56.1

Hip Room

TBA

Rear

Headroom (In.)

37.7

Legroom (In.)

TBA

Shoulder Room (In.)

56.1

Hip Room

TBA

Cargo

Standard Cargo Capacity

TBA

Maximum Cargo Capacity

TBA


Standard Interior Features

-8-way power front seats; includes 2-way manual headrests, and driver memory with 2 presets for exterior mirror and seat positions

-Leatherette upholstery

-Dark Burl Walnut Wood trim

-Anti-theft AM/FM stereo CD/MP3 player audio system with Radio Data System (RDS)

-3-spoke leather-wrapped multi-function sport steering wheel with controls for audio system, cruise control, and Bluetooth® wireless communication

-iDrive System with 6.5-inch full color flat-screen display, Controller and 8 programmable memory buttons

-USB audio connection

-Automatic climate control includes micro-filter, automatic air recirculation, left/right temperature control, temperature- and volume-controlled rear outlets, windshield misting sensor, MAX A/C function, heat at rest, and recall of individual user settings

-Power-adjustable folding exterior mirrors with automatic-dimming function

-Automatic-dimming rear-view mirror

-BMW Ambiance lighting front and rear

-Integrated 3-button Universal garage-door opener

-Four 12-volt power sockets

Drivetrain

The new 328d is powered by a TwinPower turbocharged four-cylinder engine that delivers a total of 181 horsepower at 4,000 rpm and 280 pound-feet of torque between 1750 and 2750 rpm. The engine mates to an eight-speed STEPTRONIC automatic transmission and sprints the new diesel sedan from 0 to 60 mph in an impressive-for-a-diesel 7.4 seconds. BMW has yet to release a top speed figure, but we estimate it at around 135 mph.

The new 328d can be ordered in either rear-wheel drive or xDrive configurations and will deliver a fuel economy of about 45 mpg.

Drivetrain Specifications

Displacement

1,995 cc (2.0-Liter)

Bore/stroke

3.3/3.5 inch

Output (hp @ rpm)

181 @ 4,000

Max. torque (lb-ft @ rpm)

280 @ 1,750-2,750

Transmission

Eight-Speed STEPTRONIC Automatic

Final drive ratio

2.81 :1

Acceleration (0-60 mph)

7.4 sec

Top speed

TBA

Fuel Consumption (City/Highway)

TBA


Prices

The BMW 328d starts out at $38,600 for the base rear-wheel-drive version and caps out at $42,950 for the station wagon variant with xDrive.

Base Pricing Details:

Model

Base MSRP

BMW 328d RWD

$38,600

BMW 328d xDrive

$40,600

BMW 328d Sports Wagon xDrive

$42,950


Optional Line Pricing:

Line

328d Sedan

328d xDrive Sedan

328d xDrive Sport Wagon

Luxury Line, Includes:


-Anthracite Wood Trim

-Burled Walnut Trim with Inlay

-18" Light Alloy Wheel Multi-spoke Style 416 with All-Season Tires

-Highlight trim finishers pearl gloss chrome

-Leather Dakota Black exclusive stitching

-Leather Dakota Saddle Brown exclusive stitching

-Leather Dakota Venetian Beige exclusive stitching

-Roof rails in Satin Aluminum (Sport Wagon Only)

-Standard Black Roof Rails (Sport Wagon Only)

-Premium Package ($3,100 option , $2,200 option )

-M steering wheel

$2,100

$2,100

$2,300


Sport Line, Includes:


-Sport seats

-Anthracite headliner

-Door mirror caps in black

-Highlight trim finishers Coral Red matte

-Highlight trim finishers Black high-gloss

-Highlight trim finishers pearl gloss chrome

-18" Light Alloy Wheel Double-spoke Style-397 w/ Perf.(opt 840) or A/S Tires

-High-Gloss Black Trim

-Brushed Aluminum trim

-Anthracite Wood Trim

-Black SensaTec/Red Highlight

-Leather Dakota Black/Red highlight ($1,450 option)

-Leather Dakota Coral Red/Black highlight ($1,450 option)

-Sport Line

-M steering wheel

$2,500

$2,500

$2,600


M Sport, Includes:


-Aluminum Hexagon interior trim

-Dark Burl Walnut wood trim

-Highlight trim finishers Estoril Blue matte

-Highlight trim finishers Black high-gloss

-Highlight trim finishers pearl gloss chrome

-Shadowline exterior trim

-Aerodynamic kit

-Anthracite headliner

-Sport seats

-M steering wheel

-18" star-spoke 400M wheels w/ mixed summer tires

-18" star-spoke 400M wheels w / all-season tires

-Alpine White

-Black Sapphire Metallic ($550 option)

-Glacier Silver Metallic ($550 option))

-Melbourne Red Metallic ($550 option)

-Mineral Grey Metallic ($550 option)

-Estoril Blue ($550 option)

-Black SensaTec

-Venetian Beige SensaTec

-Black Dakota Leather ($1,450 option))

-Venetian Beige Dakota Leather ($1,450 option)

-Leather Dakota Coral Red/Black highlight ($1,450 option)

-M sport suspension

-Adaptive M Suspension

$3,500

$3,500

$3,850


Optional Package Pricing:

Packge

328d Sedan

328d xDrive Sedan

328d xDrive Sport Wagon

Cold Weather Package, Includes:


-Heated front seats

-Heated Steering Wheel

-Retractable headlight washers

-Heated rear seats

$950

$950

$950


Driver Assistance Plus, Includes:


-Active Driving Assistant

-Active Blind Spot Detection

-Side and Top View Cameras

-Speed Limit Info

$1,900

$1,900

$1,900


Driver Assistance Package, Includes:


-Park Distance Control

-Rear-view camera

$950

$950

$950


Dynamic Handling Package, Includes:


-Variable sport steering

-Adaptive M Suspension

$1,000

$1,000

N/A


Lighting Package, Includes:


-Xenon headlights

-Adaptive light control

$900

$900

$900


Premium Package, Includes:


-Lumbar support

-Satellite radio with 1 year subscription

-Comfort Access keyless entry

-Moonroof (Sedan Only)

-Black Dakota Leather (Sedan Only)

-Venetian Beige Dakota Leather (Sedan Only)

-Leather Dakota Black exclusive stitching (Sedan Only)

-Leather Dakota Black/Red highlight (Sedan Only)

-Leather Dakota Coral Red/Black highlight (Sedan Only)

-Leather Dakota Saddle Brown exclusive stitching (Sedan Only)

-Leather Dakota Venetian Beige exclusive stitching (Sedan Only)

$3,100

$3,100

$2,200


Technology Package, Includes:


-Enhanced USB and Bluetooth plus Smartphone Integration

-BMW Apps - iOS and Android BMW Apps !

-Advanced Real-Time Traffic Information

-BMW Online

-Navigation system w/ touchpad

-Instrument cluster with extended contents

-Remote Services

-Head-up Display

$3,150

$3,150

$3,150


Competition

BMW is among the first luxury automakers to offer diesel-powered alternatives for its compact models in the U.S. All its other competitors only offer diesel alternatives in Europe, but things are going to change in the near future.

Audi A4

The only engine offered by the A4 on the U.S. market is the 2.0 TFSI engine that delivers a total of 211 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. In the European market, however, there are also three diesel engines with output ranging from 120 to 245 horsepower. You shouldn't be too surprised to hear that one of these engines will find its way on the U.S. market in the upcoming months.

Mercedes C-Class

In the U.S. market, the C-Class is offered in three different trim levels: C250, C300 and C350. The base version is powered by a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine with an output of 201 horsepower, while top version gets a 3.5-liter V-6 with an output of 302 horsepower. European customers also enjoy a pretty impressive lineup of diesel engines, with the most efficient one being the C 220 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY. Again, don’t be shocked to see the diesel variants oozing their way into the U.S.

Conclusion

The 328d is the first diesel model offered by the 3 Series lineup in the U.S. Despite being all about fuel economy - 45 mpg - customers opting for the new 328d will enjoy the same level of luxury and impressive performance as its gasoline-powered counterparts.