WOODCLIFF LAKE, New Jersey — BMW released photos and information today on its new 2011 335is coupe and convertible, nearly a week after Inside Line first reported the new "s" model was arriving in the U.S.
BMW will stage the 335is for an official debut at the 2010 New York Auto Show in March, and the car will arrive at dealers in the late spring. Pricing will start at $50,525 including delivery charges for the 335is coupe, and $59,075 with fees for the convertible.
The BMW 335is is the crown jewel in the newly enhanced BMW 3 Series coupe and convertible lineup. The new model features BMW's twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-6 engine, tuned for 320 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque. This is the same engine used in the Z4 sDrive35is, where it's rated at 335 hp.
When asked in a group interview why the same engine is rated at 335 hp in the BMW Z4is, BMW officials had a difficult time relaying a clear explanation. First they claimed it was because the six-speed manual tranny couldn't handle much more torque (the manual is not offered in the Z4is). Then another German BMW representative said it was a marketing decision. Lastly, a U.S. official claimed that it was really about a more restricted intake on the 335is because of packaging. He says that the German misunderstood the question and that the product planner (who came up with the original transmission answer) just didn't know what he was talking about.
The car channels its power through a standard six-speed manual transmission, although an optional seven-speed dual-clutch automated manual will also be offered. The seven-speed tranny also offers launch control, which allows the engine to achieve a 10-second burst of up to 370 lb-ft of torque.
BMW says the 335is coupe will close the 0-60-mph gap in 5 seconds flat when equipped with the optional transmission. The convertible version is two-tenths slower.
Consistent with the general 2011 updates across the entire 3 Series lineup, the 335is also receives new high-depth LED taillights, new xenon adaptive headlights with LED-lighted corona rings, and the new hood, which integrates a freshened BMW kidney grille.
Beyond those updates, the 335is will be further distinguished by BMW M Sport enhancements which include comprehensive M aerodynamic body pieces meant to manage airflow, a larger new airdam to promote cooling, and kidney grille surrounds in high-gloss black. Also new for the 335is is a free-flowing sport exhaust system which has been specially tuned to a satisfying, low rumble.
Additional changes include Shadowline black window trim, wing mirror caps in high-gloss black, and standard 18-inch light-alloy wheels in ferric gray color, with 19-inch light-alloy M wheels as an option. And just to make certain that no one misses the car's exclusivity, 335is badges are mounted on each front fender and the edge of the trunk lid.
M Sport upgrades to the 335is continue inside with an M Sport steering wheel, sport seats, anthracite headliner, M door sills, M driver's footrest, M gearshift knob and high-quality stainless-steel sport pedals. More exclusive 335is badging also adorns the car's sporty interior.
Inside Line says: BMW may not have worked out its public rationale to the lower horsepower figure, but that doesn't make the 335is any less desirable. — Kelly Toepke, News Editor
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spendurmoney says:
07:27 PM, 03/31/2010
In Canada, the 335is is only $4000 more than the 335i. and i believe in the states, it's $7000 more (not sure why). If you were to get the M package for the 335i in Canada, it costs $3500. so, for $500, u will get extra power, extra torque, better wheels. not a bad deal at all.
I don't think anyone can say S4 is better than the 335is or vice versa. if u want a 4 door, get teh s4. coupe, get the 335is (or 335i). both are amazing cars. if you love cars, u shouldn't trash talk about either one. both cars are amazing.
For s4, you won't even get a cent off the MSRP, that puts me off. and Audi people are getting way too cocky now, just becasue of the new s4, not cool. I have been to the BMW Welt in Munich, and BMW is an amazing company.
Last thought, don't worry about the new models coming out. the new 3 sedans will come out in 2012, but if you gonna buy the couple, they won't come out at least until 2014, the couple is always a year and half behind the sedan. this look will last another while.
and this might be your last chance to get the inline-6 for the 3.
thammer62 says:
07:55 AM, 03/31/2010
S5 please. Bimmer is sweating over the most beautiful coupe (under 75k) on Earth. And now the S4 is winning battles against the 335 sedan. Uh Oh Spaghetti-Os.
If BMW actually produces that hideous 2013 3 series that IL posted pictures of a few days aga, there will be no one happier than Audi execs.
sjaieve says:
12:49 PM, 01/25/2010
People dont lose sight of what the point of this car is. BMW clearly stated this is our answer to the S4. I am not sure which one will do better at the track but at lease for now they are taking the heat off the 335i as this was wounded in all comparisons. Dont worry too much about the pricing, I tried to get into a 2010 S4 and quickly realized that Audi & BMW @ this trim level are not apologetic about the pricing. They know there are wealthy people out there who simply would not be caught dead in anything but BMW & Audi, the sales numbers will support. For the rest of us there is 328i, A4s Acuras etc :)
aston_dbs says:
09:49 AM, 01/25/2010
Nice body kit and wheel... (how much you guys think BMW will charge for them...? Way too much!)
Audi A5/S5 is still more gorgeous, STANDARD!!
rayainsw says:
04:44 AM, 01/25/2010
First: I do have great respect for the M3.
The V8 at over 400 HP is an impressive unit,
I freely admit.
Second: If $8,000 additional is not an issue
[ for you ]
at the $50K level,
then logically,
by extension, it follows that
an additional $10K is not an issue at the $60K level
and an additional $15K is not an issue at the $75K level.
Yet my experience [ including purchase of a new
$50K+ Corvette in 2006 ] and all my reading
on Corvette & BMW [ and other ] forums strongly suggests
that $8K is still 'real money' -
even to those willing to pay
[ and can 'afford', by their definition ]
over $50K for a new car.
If 'more is better', then:
M3's V8, at 400+ HP is nice -
But way up at 8,300 RPM?
TQ - M3's [ only ] 295 -
and peaking at around 4,000 RPM
335iS HP = [ only ] 320 - but at a
[ much more often accessible during any
street driving ] 6,000 RPM.
Even more important to me,
in ** MY ** typical driving
is the TQ - at least 330 under any conditions
and [ 369 \ 370 ] in overboost mode
at as low as 1,500 RPM
and always stays above 300 TQ
[ again, more than the M3's peak TQ ]
until well past 5,000 RPM.
In daily driving - even in [ ahem ]
spirited driving, I strongly favor available TQ
over HP at high RPM.
Thus, my personal preference
would be the 335iS, over an M3.
This model addresses every aspect of
performance that I rate important.
[ Except for lack of an LSD. ]
For significantly less money
than an M3.
[ Initial cost, maintenance -
and even gas $$s ]
YMMV
If I intended to drive on a track
[ I do not ]
and an M3 would be my second or third car,
the M3 would certainly make MUCH more sense -
for several reasons.
icecubefosho says:
07:51 PM, 01/24/2010
Meh, the S4 is still more handsome and much rarer sight in Houston. Dunno bout the rest of the US.
scorp76 says:
07:02 PM, 01/24/2010
"Am I the only one that thinks the supercharged Audi S4 is putting some pressure on BMW?"
BMW planning meeting: Hey, did you guys hear volks....er, audi has a new s4 with a supercharged six? Yeah, it's 33 more HP than our N54, but because it's a pig, our car is a bit faster. Hmmm, we're faster, one of the favorite six's on the road and sell more, but what the hell, let's throw a couple mill into a new engine anyway.
jmess says:
06:56 PM, 01/24/2010
Still no real limit slip. Still not the car it should be for the money.
scorp76 says:
06:51 PM, 01/24/2010
"I'm not sure why Edmunds is not pointing out that this 2011 335is is just the 2010 335 with official hp and torque numbers that match the actual output of the 2010 N54"
Perhaps because edmunds (occasionally) tends to relay facts, and not the conspiracy theories of sad internet dwellers who can't face facts.
dino6 says:
06:43 PM, 01/24/2010
I'm not sure why Edmunds is not pointing out that this 2011 335is is just the 2010 335 with official hp and torque numbers that match the actual output of the 2010 N54 w/c everyone knows was understated. I can see why BMW does what it does from a Marketing perspective but the press needs to call them on it.