Like a lot of automakers are doing with models that used to boast larger engines, BMW decided to make a change under the hood of the new 2012 BMW 328i.  What used to be a straight V6 engine is now a 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, and to be perfectly frank, the switch appears to be working on all levels.

Perhaps the most important level, and certainly the reason the engine was switched in the first place, is improved fuel efficiency. BMW dealers are excited to offer a new iteration of the 328i that, because of the smaller engine, now manages 36 mpg on the highway and 24 mpg in the city.  To compare that to last year's model, which scored 18/28 mpg, would only highlight how far this vehicle has come in the arena of fuel economy.

Let the record show, however, that just because we're now offering a more efficient 328i doesn't mean that the car has necessarily gotten any less fun to drive.  Believe it or not, the new turbocharged engine gets great power at low revs, to the tune of 225 pound-feet of torque at only 1,250 rpm.  It's just a very strong drive, and one that lowers the cost of ownership by cutting into those high fuel costs.

We here at Center BMW love all of our models equally, but we also love when our engineers come up with something like this.  Offering customers the best of both worlds-power and efficiency-isn't something all auto dealers can do.  We know we're lucky that the 2012 328i is on our team.