[climkt]

Hot on the heels of Team BMW UK’s Andy Priaulx claiming the FIA World Touring Car Championship, BMW has announced details of a limited-edition version of BMW’s 2006 World Touring Car – the new BMW 320si Saloon.

Designed to comply with FIA homologation regulations, only 2,600 cars will be sold worldwide. All feature a hand-built four-cylinder engine made at BMW’s engine plant at Hams Hall, near Coventry. The high revving 2.0-litre unit delivers 173hp at 7,000rpm (before reaching its red line at 7,300rpm) and 200Nm of torque at 4,250rpm.

This engine powers the BMW from zero to 62mph in 8.1 seconds and, if left unchecked, onto a top speed of 140mph. Although inspired by the racetrack, the car still delivers 31.7mpg on the combined cycle and conforms to the EU4 emissions regulations.

This high level of performance has been achieved using BMW’s motorsport technology. Compared with the ‘standard’ BMW 320i, the engine has been significantly modified with larger induction and exhaust valves to increase airflow. The cylinder bore has increased by 1mm to 85mm while the stroke has been reduced by 2mm to 88mm.

The compression ratio of the engine has also been increased from 10.5:1 to 11.0:1, helping to boost power by 23hp over the 320i. Additionally, instead of running with grey-cast-iron cylinder liners, the pistons run in special aluminium-alloy liners in the cylinder block. Engineers have also decided to remove BMW’s patented VALVETRONIC induction system, reverting to a conventional throttle due to the higher engine speeds demanded by a racing engine.

In a direct link with BMW’s motorsport programmes, the cylinder head is cast at BMW’s Landshut foundry alongside Formula One engine blocks. Additionally, to save approximately 10kgs of weight and lower the car’s centre of gravity, the cylinder head cover is made of carbon fibre.

The new BMW 320si mates its high levels of performance with World Touring Car looks. The specification of the 320si is based on the 3 Series M Sport model that includes front and rear aerodynamic body styling, sports seats, sports suspension and aluminium interior trim. Additionally, the BMW 320si features Touring Car-style alloy wheels with BMW Motorsport motif. The front wheels are 8J x 18 fitted with 225/40 R18 tyres while at the rear the 8.5J x 18 wheels are fitted with 255/35 R18 tyres. Finally, mirror caps finished in satin chrome differentiate the car from a standard 3 Series.

General specifications
Record last updated 12 / 12 / 2005
Country of origin Germany
Produced in 2006
Numbers built 2600
Body design N/A
Weight N/A
Drivetrain
Engine Straight 4
Engine Location Front , longitudinally mounted
Displacement 1.998 liter / 121.9 cu in
Valvetrain 4 valves / cylinder, DOHC
Fuel feed Fuel injection
Aspiration Naturally Aspirated
Gearbox 6 speed Manual
Drive Rear wheel drive
Performance figures
Power 173 bhp / 129 KW @ 7000 rpm
Torque 200 Nm / 148 ft lbs @ 4250 rpm
BHP/Liter 87 bhp / liter
Power to weight ratio N/A
Top Speed 225 km/h / 140 mph
0-60 mph Acceleration 8.0 s

any e90post memeber witha 320si to show us?

[climkt]

more pics to see. the Cf engine cover looks really exciting. it has 23 more horses than my 320i manual and is 0.9sec faster in a century sprint. Bet a retrofitted ASA supercharger on my car can smoke this new baby.

[joowick]

woah... very nice find. That carbon fiber engine cover looks sick.

[climkt]

i am sure we have some UK, european e90 members with 320si. the car has been out for quite a few months now. the main mods are engine. ext mods are just full m bodykit and interior m accessories.

[ALPINE6SPD]

Someone on the board has one in black I think.

[E90Fleet]

Thanks, but all the pics were put on the board already when they were released months ago

There are at least 2 members with them on the board

[shragon]

nice! wouldn't mind having those wheels!

[longtran]

holly batman!!!

[JackMac]

flyingdevil's car with pics: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...ighlight=320si

[ON325i]

gives me high just by looking at that picture

[staggerlee]

Hi - got my 320SI just 3 weeks ago and Love it! It's Le Mans blue with privacy glass, top screen tint, through load and CF defuser. Would like a front splitter and I think the Studie one is the best as it is based on the WTCC cars, but I don't seem to be able to get it in the UK.

I had an E46 2.0 4cyl, but this is just so different especially when it screams at 7000 revs. Far more a driving engine than the previous.

[ska///235i]

nice...but better pics please

[staggerlee]

yes understand, sorry, first time I have tried to post any pics. I need to get some more of the complete car. Will post some soon.

[climkt]

Originally Posted by E90Fleet

Thanks, but all the pics were put on the board already when they were released months ago

There are at least 2 members with them on the board

hi e90fleet, are there any SA guys with e90 320si? so far, i only know the UK guys are lucky to get the RHD versions.

[staggerlee]

Not a great photographer, but here goes anyway

[bearfoot]

Very nice car! You may not be a talented photographer, but there is nothing wrong with the pictures:

[Dante]

Originally Posted by staggerlee

Not a great photographer, but here goes anyway

Awesome car staggerlee, congrats!

But where did your 320si badge go from the first pics? Made a collar for the wifey?

[Redguy]

Looks great. Nice to see something really different.

Should hopefully retain good value as well because of the limited numbers.

[BMW320i]

hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

i remember someone posting a thread on performance chips, they had 2 engines for the 320, one is 150hp, the other is 173hp....

so the 173hp belongs to the si huh?? cool

so now a question in my mind, can u do somthing to the 150hp engine 2 make it 173?? some ECU upgrade or somthing??

[aCtivex]

perfect car

[remmib]

Still need blacklines

[E90Fleet]

Originally Posted by BMW320i

hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

i remember someone posting a thread on performance chips, they had 2 engines for the 320, one is 150hp, the other is 173hp....

so the 173hp belongs to the si huh?? cool

so now a question in my mind, can u do somthing to the 150hp engine 2 make it 173?? some ECU upgrade or somthing??

320si has a completely different engine