E30 BMW 3-series data:

Engines:As before in four- and six-cylinder inline SOHC, but with 5-series fuel injection 2-litre, November production of 316 with 1.766 c.c. (89 x 71 mm.) 4-cyls. of 90 b.h.p. @ 5,500 r.p.m., 318i: 1.766 c.c. (89 x 71 mm.) 4-cyls. of 105 b.h.p. @ 5,800 r.p.m. 320i: 1,990 c.c. (80 x 66 mm.) 6-cyls. of 125 b.h.p.@ 5,800 r.p.m. 323i: 2.316 c.c. (80 x 76.8 mm.) 6-cyls of 139 b,h.p. @ 5,300 r.p.m.

Body:Unitary steel 2-door with average 40 kg. / 88lb. weight saving over previous E 21 3-series. 4-door model to follow in “six months or so”. Weight range: 316, 990 kg. / 2.178 lb ; 323i, 1,080 kg./ 2,376 lb. Quoted aerodynamic drag factor: 0.37 to 0.38. Length, 4,325 mm./ 170.3 in.; width, 64.8 in.; height, 1.380 mm. / 54.3 in., wheelbase, 2,570 mm. / 101.9 in.

Suspension:MacPherson strut front, trailing arm rear as before, but with 15″ trailing arm instead of 20″ and front roll bar behind axle line amongst changes. Wider track, 1.407 mm. (F) and 1.415 mm. (R).

Brakes:10 in. Mastervac assistance instead of 9 in.: vented front dtscs for 320i (drum rear for 316, 318i, 320i) 323i all-disc, vented front and solid rear.

Wheel/tyres:All 14 in. diameter with 5J/175/70 HR on 316 &318i. 195/60 HR for 320i and same low profile and section, but VR-rated, for 323i.

Transmissions: 4-speed std. 316 & 318i, 5-sp for 320i / 323i with direct fouth and OD fifth shared. Automatic option on all, 3-sp. Final drives from 3.64 (316 & 318i) to 3.45 (320i) &3.25 (323i). Performance (BMW figs: old model in brackets): 323i 0-50 m.p.h. 2.7 sec. (2.8 sec.); 0.62 m.p,h. 9.2 sec. (9.5 sec.); 0-75 m.p.h. 12.8 sec. (13.6 sec.); Max speed, 125 m.p.h (118 m.p.h.), 320i: 0.50 m.p.h,. 3.1 sec. (3.4 sec.), 0-62 m. p.h. 10.4 sec. (10.7 sec.); 0-75 m.p.h., 14.8 sec. (15.8 sec.) Max speed. 122 m.p.h. (112 m.p.h.).

Urban fuel consumption:323i, 23.35m.p.g. (22.0 m.p.g.), 320i: 23.74 m.p.g. (21.73 m.p.g.). Bracketed figures for old models.