With the 2007 BMW 3 Series Coupe’s new model designations come more potent powerplants under the hood. Each version starts with an aluminum 3.0-liter, dual overhead cam, 24-valve inline six-cylinder engine with variable valve timing mated to a standard six-speed manual transmission. But that’s where the similarities end. In 328i and 328xi guise, normal aspiration results in output of 230 horsepower at 6,500 rpm and 200 lb.-ft. of torque at 2,750 rpm, whereas the 335i uses twin turbochargers and direct fuel injection to reach 300 horsepower at 5,800 rpm and 300 lb.-ft. of torque available between 1,400 and 5,000 rpm. Fuel economy is estimated to be as high as 30 mpg on the highway for the 328i while the 335i is rated at only 19 mpg in the city; while piloting the 335i, we averaged 17.5 mpg with the manual and about 21 mpg with the six-speed automatic. Premium fuel is required. BMW boasts a 0-60 mph acceleration range of 5.3 seconds for a manual-equipped 335i to seven seconds for a 328xi with the automatic gearbox. Top speed peaks at 155 mph.

Curb weights for the four-passenger Coupe range between 3,351 pounds (base 328i) to just over 3,600 pounds (328xi with the automatic tranny). The 328i offers a near-perfect 50.3/49.7 distribution of its heft, while the 335i is off by just a hair at 51 percent front/49 percent rear. It’s all suspended by a double-pivot front suspension with coil springs and double-tube gas shocks, complemented by a five-link setup on the rear. 328i and 335i models feature sport tuning and an aluminum front subframe; the 328xi features a steel front subframe in addition to its xDrive all-wheel-drive system with traction control. Speed-sensitive, variable-assist, rack-and-pinion steering ensures the 3 Series Coupe travels along the intended path. Optional on 328i and 335i models is BMW’s active steering technology, allowing for less steering wheel movement when parking or maneuvering in tight spaces.

Basic stopping power is courtesy of a four-wheel ventilated disc setup, though there’s a bevy of standard technology that aids in the effort. Brake Fade Compensation increases pressure when the brakes get hot and possibly lose effectiveness; Brake Standby readies the pads against the rotors when the driver comes off the gas quickly; Brake Drying is used in wet conditions by occasionally brushing the pads against the discs to eliminate moisture; Dynamic Brake Control supplements the driver’s brake pressure in the event of a sudden stop; and Start-off Assistant briefly prevents rolling back on hill starts. Antilock brakes are also standard.