BMW 335d Coupe (2006) CAR review

286bhp, 427lb ft and 1570kgs – quite fast, presumably?

Oh yes. BMW points out that the new 335d is the most powerful diesel engine it has sold in the UK and the most powerful six-pot diesel in the world. Crammed into a little 3-series - we tested the coupe, but you can order it in the saloon or touring - it produces a titanically, toweringly fast car. But for those used to quick petrol cars, it’s a different and deceptive kind of fast. Rev it out to the redline from standstill and the diesel produces a deep, six-pot yowl. But it does its most impressive work at speeds in excess of, erm, 69mph, the rev needle flicking lazily from 1500 to 2500rpm, the engine almost silent but producing torque so vast, solid and palpable you feel you can reach out and touch it, and acceleration so at odds with the car’s otherwise utterly calm demeanour that it’s very easy to get caught out. This kind of performance is odd, rare and distinctive. You need to experience it.

Give me some numbers to keep me going until my test drive…

That 286bhp is actually 12bhp more than the 535d gets, though the Fünfer will be uprated soon. The peak torque of 427lb ft comes in at just 1750rpm. The 2993cc straight-six is twin-turbocharged and works a six-speed auto box with wheel-mounted shifters. 0-62mph is done in 6.1sec and the top speed is limited to 155mph, but it’s the imperious in-gear acceleration that really impresses. And this diesel supercar promises a combined 37.7mpg and a CO2 figure of 200g/km.