BMW today released its “worst kept secret”, as they said it; the 2011 BMW 335is Coupe and Convertible.
The E92 and E93 335is are the most powerful of standard 3-Series BMWs. The ‘s’ typically meaning the most sporting of possibilities of the current model range for BMW.
The 2011 BMW 335is is powered by the same award winning N54 inline-6 3.0-liter twin-turbo motor that comes standard in the 335i, although the motor is now enhanced…ever so slightly. It comes packing 320hp at 5,900 rpm and 332lb-ft of torque is available from 1,500-5,000 rpm. The engineers have tweaked the twin-turbo 3-liter motor to have an overboost function that increases torque to 370lb-ft. The overboost function comes into play at higher engine speeds and gears, similar to that of the Z4 sDrive35is.
And to make all this extra go sound even better, BMW has fitted a sport exhaust system that has a deeper “rumble” at low speeds and rpm. This is to also help the driver feel more passionate and comfortable with their purchase with the windows and/or top down, depending on which model you get. The exhaust, as would be expected, helps to minimize the restriction of exhaust gas flow.
For the first time ever, the 335is will come with BMW’s heralded 7-speed double-clutch transmission, or DCT, with launch control, as an option over the standard 6-speed manual transmission. BMW claims a 5.0 second time to 60 with the optional DCT and launch control, while the manual coupe will take 5.1 seconds. The E93 is not far behind, with a 5.2 second 0-60 time with the DCT or the 6-speed manual.
To help aid miles per gallon and top speed, BMW has lowered the Cd (drag coefficient)to 0.30 for the E92 335is and just 0.31 for the E93 335is. That’s pretty impressive for pretty much any car out there.
Now before I get to the new styling features, I must say that BMW really did their homework when making the 335is. As most sports car people would know, the more power you add to a car, the more things you need to change to keep the engine cooler, the engine compartment from getting too warm as well, and struts and braces that weren’t necessarily made to cope with more extreme pressures than the normal 335i.
BMW has updated the front fascia of the 335is with a wider mouth to feed more air, but also they’ve moved the fog lamps more to the sides to add more openings to feed lots more air into the engine. To use the extra air properly, BMW has fitted an additional radiator behind the left-front air intake, along with a more powerful electric cooling fan. An oil cooling pan has been added opposite of the second radiator, as well. The engine mounts that hold the 335i in place well enough are gone for even stronger units on the 335is, to ensure maximum performance under the heavier loads and conditions that the ‘is’ can cope with.
All of the updates that we reported for the E92 and E93 335i, like the LED taillights, corona lights along with the redesigned hood and kidney grill are standard, as you would expect, on the 335is models. But what’s standard to make it stand out as being the baby-///M is even more impressive.
BMW is outfitting the 335is with M aerodynamics, meaning new front and rear fascia and sideskirts. Uniquely, there is a new rear diffuser that has air strakes that control air flow and help reduce lift at the rear-end, along with 335is badging on the side fenders, just under the side turn signals, and the rear of decklid. High gloss black surrounds the kidney grill and the wing mirrors, as well as black Shadowline window trim. 18″ ferric grey alloy wheels are standard, with 19″ M alloy wheels being optional.
To keep with the 335is’ unique status, the interior has been modified to include, an M Sport steering wheel, sport seats, anthracite headliner, M door sills, M driver’s footrest, M gearshift knob, and stainless steel sport pedals. The instrument cluster features dials in dark grey with a 335is badge on the tachometer. The passenger side dashboard also features a 335is badge on the standard aluminum glacier silver dark trim.
2011 BMW 335is Photo Gallery
