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BMW Blog takes the 2012 BMW 328i to Circuit de Catalunya, Spain’s Formula 1 race track, to see how well it can perform there. After a few laps, they had nothing but praises for the vehicle’s performance on the track. Read this review excerpt below:
BMW’s ZF sourced 8-speed automatic made itself at home on the racetrack. I was blown away by its quick shifts and obedience to my commands. Of course, I would much prefer the manual transmission, particularly for track use, but the 8-speed did leave me deeply impressed. The transmission logic can now be locked out in manual mode such that the transmission will not upshift on its own as you bounce off the rev limiter. Just as God intended, the steering wheel mounted paddles are oriented: right for upshift and left for downshift.
It’s worth mentioning that BMW aerodynamicists have gone a long way to reduce drag on the new 3 series – and this shows in the results. A very slippery drag coefficient of 0.26 Cd will not only add to efficiency, but also allow higher top speeds on track. The innovative air-curtain design first found on the 1M has now been applied to all new 3 series cars – sport model or otherwise – wherein air is routed from the front bumper out laterally in front of the front wheels so as to reduce turbulence and drag around the front wheels.
Last but not least, steering feel was as expected based upon our First Drive experience in the neighboring mountains. BMW has given the new 3 series just enough feel and feedback to get the job done, but nothing more. In no way is the steering feel a hinderance to performance, but I would appreciate a fuller picture being painted by the steering wheel. On a wet road or racetrack, this lack of feel and feedback would become more important, as the threshold before the tires lose grip would be more difficult to feel for. To the steering system’s credit, inputs are very precise in typical BMW fashion and the steering ratio adds to the sporty feel of the car.
After several hard laps in BMW’s new 328i, I can only spill words of adoration. This is a tremendous car in every way – including dynamically – and most importantly it is fun to drive. BMW have maintained the secret recipe that stews 3 series cars to perfection through the decades, and the latest 3 series to leave Munich is no exception.
