There is much you need to know about the new 2012 BMW 3 Series, not the least of which is the fact that it's a very noticeable upgrade from the very first drive.
It is larger, lighter, has a longer wheelbase, uses less fuel and has more cabin and trunk space. It also offers either a six-speed manual to appease the purists or an eight-speed auto to appease everybody else.
It has downsized on the engine side, too, so the 2012 BMW 328i will arrive in the U.S. in February next year with a 240-horsepower, direct-injection, turbocharged four cylinder lurking under the hood.
And what about BMW's legacy for six-cylinder power? Well, consider this, the four-cylinder runs to 60 mph in 5.7 seconds according to BMW. That's only 0.3 second slower than the turbocharged six can manage in the incoming 335i. Think anyone will complain?