2012 BMW 3 Series Rated at 33 mpg Highway
The redesigned 2012 BMW 328i, with its 240-hp, twin-turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four cylinder and an eight-speed automatic transmission, gets a fuel-economy rating of 23/33 mpg city/highway, according to the EPA.
While that figure is respectable, it’s lower that what was expected compared to the original EPA rating of 23/36 mpg, according to Autoblog.com.
The EPA revised the figures recently, knocking off 3 mpg from the 328i’s highway figures. The city mileage number remains unchanged.
In a press release to Autoblog, BMW said it was “surprised” by the revisions. While the EPA is known for making small revisions, the 3 mpg downgrade is steep, and BMW says the figure is “abnormally low” in relation to its other vehicles like the recently discontinued 335d, which gets a 23/36 mpg rating with its inline-six diesel motor.
BMW can’t have its 3 Series retested this year, so the EPA figure is sticking around. The 2012 BMW 3 Series went on sale in February with a starting price of $34,900, excluding an $895 destination fee.
The new figure already appears on the carmaker’s consumer website. Strangely, while the EPA made the revision, it looks like the agency’s own website (fueleconomy.gov) hasn’t been updated yet.
BMW forced to lower 2012 3 Series automatic fuel economy to 33 mpg (Autoblog.com)
