Lately I have had the chance of driving the BMW F30 328i on the track at Sepang as well as the F30 335i. The 328i was the standard sports line without the M-Sports kit and it was ridiculously soft around the bends at Sepang. Even with the M-Sport suspension, the car felt a little wobbly on the track and frankly I was a little disappointed with the direction BMW is heading towards. A lot of the purist would say that it has lost it’s touch. But BMW on the other hand, was planning for an answer.
With that BMW announced the availability of the all-new Track Handling Package for the 2015 BMW 228i Coupe. Inspired by the original formula of BMW “S-package” vehicles manufactured in the course of the past three decades, the new Track Handling Package embraces the desires of the most enthusiastic BMW drivers. It includes the Adaptive M Suspension, Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires on unique 18-inch light-alloy wheels , Variable Sport Steering, and M Sport Brakes. The package will be available from July 2014 (production) for both 6-speed manual and 8-speed Sport Automatic transmission-equipped BMW 228i Coupe models. The Track Handling Package may be added to any 228i Coupe during the vehicle ordering process. Pricing will be announced closer to the on-sale date.
A chassis that speaks to its driver: Adaptive M Suspension.
With a starting stance 10 millimeters lower than the suspension of a standard BMW 228i Coupe, lowering the car’s center of gravity, the Adaptive M Suspension adds front axle and central accelerometers. These sensors gather data instantaneously and, when combined with data from the existing steering angle sensor, throttle position, and brake pressure sensors, form a comprehensive real-time profile of damping needs at all four corners to effectively read and adapt to the road. The valves of the dampers adapt in milliseconds to the conditions of the road and the wishes of the driver, minimizing vehicle squat, dive, and roll, to ensure the BMW 228i Coupe feels equally at home on a smooth canyon road, unusually rough surfaces, or during the daily commute. The desired suspension setting can be selected using the Driving Dynamics Control switch in the center console.
BMW Variable Sport Steering.
Long suggested to be part of the mythical black magic of balanced vehicle handling, BMW Variable Sport Steering employs a mechanical steering rack with a directness ratio that varies in a prescribed way throughout its range of travel. At steering angles near center (for example, when driving straight ahead), the ratio is slower, providing maximum vehicle stability for highway speeds and straight-aways. As the driver bends the car into a corner, the mechanical ratio of the steering rack becomes faster and provides the driver with precise, lightning-quick response for mid-corner adjustments to “the line.” At extreme steering angles such as those required to negotiate a hairpin turn or during “opposite lock” maneuvers, the ratio is quickest.
M Sport Brakes system.
The M Sport Brakes system features fixed, four-piston calipers at the front axle and two-piston calipers at rear, with particularly large brake discs (front disc diameter 13.4 inch, rear 13.6 in. ). The calipers are painted dark blue and carry the M logo. Brake pads chosen for sharp responsiveness, long term thermal stability and linear pedal feel on the street are fitted at all four corners. In exchange, enthusiast customers likely won’t mind that the pads of the M Sport Brakes emit slightly more dust under heavy use than the standard 228i Coupe brake pads.
Race-derived tire technology.
Ultra-high performance, non-run-flat Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires, similar to those featured on the BMW M235i Coupe, are also included with the Track Handling Package. Developed with technology transferred directly from years of world championship-level sports car racing in Europe and the United States, they provide superb feedback and the ideal balance between agility and stability. The Pilot Super Sport design places top priority on giving the BMW driver massive grip in both wet and dry conditions. Wider rear tires are used as an additional traction improvement measure. A BMW Mobility Kit is featured as standard equipment, as is 24-hour BMW Roadside Assistance for the first four years of vehicle service.
