An all-wheel-drive BMW? What will they think of next? BMWs have not been renowned for their prowess in the snow and ice. Rear wheel drive, although excellent for good, predictable handling on dry roads, is not for the colder climates.

The 2006 3-series BMW has an all new shape, a new interior, and is mechanically evolved from the 2005 3-series. The 325xi tested is an all-wheel-drive version, priced at $32,800. With leather, premium sound, satellite radio, a sport package, and a few other optional baubles, the sticker on the test car was $40,665.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and although the new 3- series shape is pleasing to this tester, it has a bulky element to it, especially at the rear.

The 2006 3-series BMW

The "Cinnamon" interior seat color in the test vehicle clashed with the exterior "Sonora Metallic." However the rest of the interior was BMW German efficient with everything in its place. As usual, things from Germany come with afterthought cup holders that are small and flimsy and spring out from the dash.

Powered by a sweet in-line 3.0 liter, 6-cylinder, 24-valve, 215 hp engine, and in the case of the test car, a somewhat notchy six-speed manual transmission, this car gets going with no dillydallying.

Behind the wheel, the 325xi feels bigger than its predecessor. The engine-speed-sensitive variable assist steering really does its job when parking, cornering and zooming down the freeway.

The handling capability of this car has to be experienced to be believed. Upon recklessly throwing it into a 180 degree ramp at 65 mph, it went around on rails with all the aplomb of a NASCAR Chevy, with no tire squeal or any hint of stress. This is achieved by all-wheel-drive, dynamic stability control and clever BMW suspension design.

You forgive its foibles when you stick your foot in it, feel the thrust in your back, and hear the gorgeous sound of the smoothest 6-cylinder engine in the world.

This is a car clearly designed for the autobahn and the Bavarian Alps. It is totally wasted on our humdrum freeways.

As with all the new BMWs, there are a few unusual facets to this car. All of the door handles have ground lighting, little lights on the underside of the handles pointed toward the ground. Starting the car involves inserting the ignition key, and pushing a start button. You push it again to stop the engine – why? There is no spare tire, not even a donut, or a puncture goop can, or a patch kit, nada, nothing. This is the era of run-flat tires, which were delivered on this car. They are expensive and the word is that they don’t last long. A tire pressure monitor lets you know when a tire’s pressure has gone down.

Standard equipment includes glass moonroof, wood trim, tilt/telescopic multifunction steering wheel, front and rear seat head protection system, dual power heated exterior mirrors, automatic left and right climate control systems, six-way adjustable front seats, keyless remote entry system, AM/FM/CD/MP3 stereo system and rain sensing windshield wipers.

This is a larger car than its predecessor, with a larger trunk and a low wide opening for fast loading or unloading at airports. As part of the $1,000 cold weather package, rear seatbacks flip forward and lay flat, for more carrying capacity.

A navigation system is available for $2,000 and an adaptive cruise control system which maintains a safe distance from the vehicle in front costs $2,200.

The warranty, including full maintenance and roadside assistance on this car is four years/50,000 miles.

EPA estimated fuel consumption is 19 mpg city and 28 mpg highway. This tester experienced 23 to 24 mpg in mixed city and highway driving.

The 325xi has a faster, more powerful brother, the 330i with a 255 hp engine. This version was not tested, but it surely must be fast. To keep the number of speeding tickets under control, buy the 325xi; it’s plenty fast. The 330i also comes with all-wheel drive, but the standard transmission, the same six-speed manual tested on the 325xi, has an option for a clutchless six-speed sequential shift that is part of a sport package for $1,600, and an option for a six-speed automatic transmission, with manual shift capability for $1,275. This six-speed automatic option also applies to the 325xi.

Station wagon, coupe and convertible versions of this new 3-series will debut later this year or early 2007.

This is a fine competitor in the luxury sport sedan category. What a pity that we really cannot use its unique sporting qualities on most of our San Diego County roads without breaking speed limits or scaring the nonsense out of other drivers. Neither Mercedes-Benz nor Lexus have anything quite like this.

Motoring since 1952, Austin Lynas has owned 55 cars and at one time raced mini-sedans in England. An aerospace engineer, he was instrumental in developing the anti-skid systems used in British military aircraft that preceded today’s ABS systems. Lynas can be reached by e-mail at austin@sandiegometro.com.