By Tom Crosby
AAA Carolinas

Some cars just create a racetrack mentality, due to their lightning quickness and superb handling. It’s even more thrilling when the car has stunning good looks. The all-new BMW 335i Coupe is an enthusiast’s dream car, spurting to 60 mph in 5.5 seconds with as much torque per lb.-ft as the 300 horsepower, inline-six cylinder, turbo-charged engine – only the third time BMW has used turbo charging on a gasoline-powered vehicle. (It’s used on several diesel-powered BMW vehicles).

Lighter by 150 pounds compared to a 4.0 liter eight cylinder engine, the turbo allows better weight distribution with 51.4% front and 48.6% rear.  Combined with a sophisticated “double-pivot” and a new 5-link rear suspension, the rear-wheel drive 335i generates strong road feedback in the seat but not in the steering wheel.

BMW’s highly touted engineering surfaces with behind-the-wheel challengers. High-performance brakes on 17-inch alloy wheels, dynamic brake control, driver stability control and rack-and-pinion steering all contribute to extra-ordinary driver control and balance. It’s hard to drive the 335i badly with all the electronic aids but BMW recognizes the racetrack urge and allows the driver stability control to be turned off.

Outside, the 335i (there is also a 328i Coupe with a smaller engine and a 328xi Coupe with all-wheel drive in BMW’s 3 series), has a low, sleek front-to-back profile with a powerdome on the hood, traditional front BMW kidney grille and dual chrome exhausts that provide a hint of the vehicle’s muscle. BMW offers packages to upgrade comfort and performance; our test vehicle added Premium for interior leather, Bluetooth and other convenience items and a Sport package to get performance tires on 18-inch alloy wheels and front sport seats. With other options, the final price tag was $47,095.

Inside, the cockpit feels snug, compact and comfortable with burl walnut trim and light-colored leather.  Audio controls are easy to reach, albeit small. The luminescent red radio station identifications disappear, unfortunately, when wearing sunglasses. Climate controls operate with gusto, heating or cooling quickly. Flip-out map pockets in each door are divided into three sections, all lined, and supplemented by an extra stowage area near the door edges. The trunk is surprisingly spacious and BMW has finally acknowledged American drivers love cupholders. Two spring out on the passenger’s dashboard but still are too shallow to firmly hold, say a Starbucks Venti cardboard coffee cup. Neat features include rain-sensing wipers, cornering headlights and groundlights in the door handles.