If you thought it wasn’t possible to make a Beemer any more desirable, think again. The German luxury car manufacturer has done it to the 320d by launching the Highline diesel variant. More luxury at a higher price, but then cost has never been a primary concern for a BMW buyer; comfort is what matters most. The new goodies in this 3-Series variant include lighter and snazzier alloy wheels, xenon lights, sun-roof for those who like to stick their necks out and the famous iDrive computer system.

At first glance, one does little more than ogle at the diesel beauty. The trademark kidney grill gives the sedan a bold and aggressive look. Thanks to the BMW’s controversial design team, which enjoys a love-and-hate relationship with Beemer fans, the 320d is a mean machine with flawless curves. As much as the posh, yet sporty, sedan is a joy to drive, you can’t help admiring each curve and line, starting from the bonnet to the C-pillar that merges with the coupe-silhouette boot—which, incidentally, is a little small.

Not only is the 320d a fine piece of machine but is also solid as a tank. The Highline’s best feature is the iDrive that can be used for accessing any information about the car, be it the next servicing, punctures, fuel economy, average speed or the music system controls. The interiors are expectedly lush, with an expensive feel to the dual-tone beige-and-black and wood finish. This variant gets the standard six-speed automatic gear box and a multi-functional steering wheel. Even though the buttons are helpful on the wheel, it would have been more convenient to press the horn if all the buttons were on one side. The front seats pamper the passengers and can be adjusted electronically to the required positions. As most BMW owners are likely to be chauffeur-driven, the good news is that the rear seats are very comfortable too. What the 3 Series lacks is legroom for the back passengers, even as the storage box between the front seats has limited space.

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