What drama will unfold as a new protagonist from House Munich takes on the lead knight from House Stuttgart?
BMW 320d STEPTRONIC
price: R649 253
power: 140 kW/4 000 r/min
torque: 400 N.m/1 750-2 500 r/min
0-100 km/h: 6,97 seconds
top speed: 240 km/h
fuel index: 5,40 L/100 km
luggage capac: 368/1 000 L
maintenance plan: 5 years/100 000 km
Mercedes-Benz C220d 9G-tronic
price: R684 059
power: 143 kW/3 800 r/min
torque: 400 N.m/1 600-2 800 r/min
0-100 km/h: 7,36 seconds
top speed: 245 km/h
fuel index: 5,28 L/100 km
luggage capac: 312 L
maintenance plan: 5 years/100 000 km
A slightly dramatic intro to this comparative test but, considering the long-standing rivalry between these two leading German brands and the significance each manufacturer places on this segment, you might well imagine a medieval-style duel between the best knights of each territory. All the while, House Ingolstadt currently sits on CAR’s Top 12 Best Buys throne…
Historically regarded as the sportiest of the three German-built premium midsize sedans, the BMW 3 Series is at a crossroads. How does it balance staying true to its sure-footed roots with market demands for increased versatility and roominess? It’s not only the updated 7 Series (a driving impression of which can be found on page 32) which has bowed to pressures from the significant Chinese market. Together with a market-specific new long-wheelbase derivative, this ​recently introduced seventh-generation (G20) 3 Series has grown somewhat compared with its F30-coded predecessor.
This story is from the June 2019 edition of CAR.
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This story is from the June 2019 edition of CAR.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
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