Showing posts with label Luxury Car. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Luxury Car. Show all posts
August 22, 2021
The 2021 Lexus IS Is The Catalyst For Future Lexus Models
The most thrilling and aggressive iteration of the Lexus IS sport sedan is the one that awaits you at the Lexus Manila Showroom today. The new Lexus IS is a catalyst for future Lexus models.
Filed Under:
Feature,
Lexus IS,
Luxury Car
August 12, 2021
For P 3.990M, Only Five Of These MINI John Cooper Works Inspired Edition Will Be Made Available
MINI Asia and British United Automobiles Inc. today announces the launch of the MINI John Cooper Works GP Inspired Edition in the Philippines. This special model draws upon the mettle of its forebear, the third-generation MINI John Cooper Works GP, and features exclusive specifications and an exhilarating 231 horsepower engine in the quintessential 3-Door hatchback.
Filed Under:
Car Launch,
Luxury Car,
MINI Cooper,
News
July 16, 2021
Jaguar PH Unveils Smarter, Quieter XF Luxury Sedan For P 4.590M (w/ Specs)
Coventry Motors Corporation, the exclusive distributor of Jaguar vehicles in the Philippines brings in the new 2021 Jaguar XF 2.0 S. Their mid-sized executive sedan features an enhanced exterior as well as a heavily revised interior incorporating new materials and connectivity.
Filed Under:
Car Launch,
Jaguar XF,
Luxury Car,
News
July 14, 2021
The 2022 Bentley Flying Spur Hybrid Is Effortlessly Fast And Green
Bentley continues its march towards electrification with the new Flying Spur Hybrid—its most environmentally friendly model to date.
Filed Under:
Bentley Flying Spur,
Luxury Car,
News
July 4, 2021
Review: 2021 Lexus IS 300h Premier
The words “hybrid” and “sports sedan” don’t normally go together, but if there’s one company that’ll make it work, it would be Lexus. After all, since their first-ever gasoline-electric offering in 2005, Toyota’s premium division has managed to move around two million of them in a span of 16 years. Of course, it’s one thing to electrify an SUV, but it’s entirely different to shoehorn a powertrain known for frugality in a vehicle known for driving fun and handling, the sports sedan. With that, how does the Lexus IS 300h fair?
Filed Under:
Driver's Seat,
Lexus IS,
Luxury Car
June 29, 2021
Lexus PH Opens Order Books For 2022 Lexus ES
A mere two months after its global launch, the Lexus has confirmed that the refreshed 2022 Lexus ES is arriving in the Philippines by the fourth quarter of 2021. And yes, the order books are now open.
Filed Under:
Lexus ES,
Luxury Car,
News
May 30, 2021
Review: 2021 BMW 218i Gran Coupe Sport
The 2 Series is the odd child of the BMW family. Spawning four body styles, it rides on two separate platforms with one being rear-wheel drive, and the other being front-wheel drive. Even more confusing, the 2 Series Gran Coupe you see here is unrelated to the 2 Series Coupe despite BMW being known for coming up with all sorts of derivatives. It’s also clear from the photos that it’s not a coupe; it’s a sedan. The 2 GC’s rather complicated lineage sets the stage on what to expect with the rest of the car.
Filed Under:
BMW 2 Series,
Driver's Seat,
Luxury Car
May 23, 2021
Review: BMW 318i Sport
BMW certainly loves to experiment. If filling up every conceivable niche wasn’t enough, they’ve dabbled on things like all- and front-wheel drive; heck, they’ve even tweaked one of their core design traits: the double kidney grille. Whether or not people will accept the whole “kidney lung” debacle is still up in the air, but there’s one thing they can’t afford to fuck up: the 3 Series.
Forty years on, the 3 Series has been largely evolutionary. Sure, it’s grown in size, and the family tree has now split into two main branches depending on the number of doors, but the fact of the matter is that there aren’t many great surprises here. And good thing too because in an increasingly crowded premium compact sedan segment, the 2021 BMW 318i Sport is every bit sporty and smart.
Yes, the kidney grille on the 3 Series is larger, but thankfully, it hasn’t metastasized into lungs (yet). Thus, there’s no debating that it looks taunt, elegant, and timeless—as a 3 Series should. Having said that, the headlights, which now cut through the bumper do look a bit Peugeot-y, while the rear has a certain Lexus-y feel to it. Overall, no complaints though; it looks great. Bookmarking everything perfectly is the Sport trim which feature high-gloss black elements and tasty-looking 18-inch alloy wheels.
The 3 Series’ insistence on sticking to tradition bods well with the way it drives. Some of its competitors have caught up, but BMW still schools them on what it means to be a premium compact sedan with a sporting edge. A few kilometers are all that’s needed to tell you this car means business. The steering is pretty darn close to that of a sportscar with its sharp, accurate feel. Even better, it doesn’t feel that nervous through Manila’s pockmarked roads.
Driver inputs through the tiller are then beautifully communicated to a chassis that’s precise and obedient. When cruising, it has a great sense of stability and poise. Damping is firm, but disciplined; soaking up ruts and bumps with a sense of solidity. It’s extremely quiet and refined with 100 km/h feeling more like 60. Shove it through a corner though, and it’ll play hooky, swiveling around and out of the curve with ease. Tackling switchbacks is second nature. Wherever your eyes visually point out to, for as long as you put in the steering angle to match, the 3 Series will head there without a fuss. The brakes too are progressive and well-modulated.
This particular 3 Series is the 318i, and with that, it’s rocking BMW’s entry-level engine. Don’t let the badge or the figures—156 horsepower and 250 Nm of torque—fool you. The numbers tell just one part of the story; the other being that peak power comes in from 4,500 to 6,500 rpm, while peak torque is delivered from 1,300 to 4,300 rpm. It won’t win in a straight sprint, but it’s very balanced, and more importantly, well-suited to the local traffic conditions. There’s enough grunt from the 4-cylinder to overtake, cruise to the legal speed limit, or power down through corners. The 8-speed automatic shifts smoothly too, though paddle shifters would have been a welcome addition.
It would have been the perfect package if only BMW remembered to create an interior with a bit more drama and flair. Don’t get it wrong, it’s modern and everything is well-finished, but it also looks cold and unemotional. Spend enough time inside though, and the execution makes sense.
For starters, there’s an abundance of adjustment whether it’s with the steering wheel or the seats. Getting the perfect driving position takes no time. Then, there’s the visibility which is great to say the least. A bevy of screens greet the driver—a 5.1-inch screen serving as the gauges, and an 8.8-inch screen serving as the interface to the infotainment system. Odd though that the virtual gauges are designed to mimic traditional ones as BMW could have better adopted to LCD screen tech. Still, they’re easy enough to read and understand.
Another glaring omission here is the lack of smartphone connectivity. There’s no Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, wired or otherwise. So, the only way to make phone calls or listen to music without getting arrested for distracted driving is through Bluetooth. Want to use Google Maps or Waze? Hopefully you’ve got a cellphone holder at the ready. It’s a shame because the native system is snappy, easy-to-navigate, and thankfully, can be operated either by touchscreen or iDrive knob. Compounding matters, there’s only one USB Type A port, while there are three USB Type C ports.
At 4,709 mm in length, the “G20” 3 Series has grown a lot in this generation. Together with its 2,851 mm wheelbase, it now feels genuinely roomy. There’s no need to worry about head or legroom now, plus because it’s wider, there’s room to stretch sideways. At the back, there’s adult-sized space, and with rear vents and their own climate control zone to boot it helps keep everyone comfortable. Of note, BMW Philippines has chosen to fit Sensatec (aka synthetic leather). While this sounds like a bummer, it’s well-wearing, durable, and vegan (if you’re into such things). Plus, most buyers will probably mistake it for the real thing anyway. More noticeable is the lack of a folding seatback. While 480 liters is big, there’s no way to expand this number in the case of a last-minute airport run.
Also absent in the 3 Series is any sort of advanced driver assist. Apart from the usual gaggle of airbags and acronyms, there’s not much else to talk about in the safety department aside from clearance sensors, a back-up camera, and tire pressure sensors. You want to make sure this car keeps to its lane or avoids hitting pedestrians or cyclists? You’ll have to do it yourself.
No one was expecting BMW to screw up the 3 Series, and with the latest model, that thankfully hasn’t happened. Not only is it roomier and more comfortable than ever, but it’s managed to remain the standard when it comes to handling and refinement. Sure, it lacks driver assist features and smartphone connectivity, and the interior looks rather somber; but these could be fixed by ticking the right options. As it is, the 2021 318i Sport is also well-priced at just P 2.990 million undercutting the Jaguar XE, Lexus IS, and Mercedes-Benz C-Class. It comes with a 5-year / 200,000-kilometer warranty to boot.
2021 BMW 318i Sport |
|
Ownership | 2021 BMW 318i Sport |
Year Introduced | 2019 |
Vehicle Classification | Luxury Car |
Warranty | 5 years / 200,000 kilometers |
The Basics | |
Body Type | Luxury Car |
Seating | 5 |
Engine / Drive | F/R |
Under the Hood | |
Displacement (liters) | 2.0 |
Aspiration | Turbocharged |
Fuel Delivery | Direct Injection |
Layout / # of Cylinders | I4 |
BHP @ rpm | 156 @ 4,500-6,500 |
Nm @ rpm | 250 @ 1,300-4,300 |
Fuel / Min. Octane | Gasoline / 91~ |
Transmission | 8AT |
Cruise Control | Yes |
Fuel Economy @ Ave. Speed | 12.82 km/L @ 35 km/h |
Dimensions and Weights | |
Length (mm) | 4,709 |
Width (mm) | 1,827 |
Height (mm) | 1,435 |
Wheelbase (mm) | 2,851 |
Curb Weight (kg) | 1,565 |
Suspension and Tires | |
Front Suspension | Independent, MacPherson Strut |
Rear Suspension | Independent, Multi-link |
Front Brakes | Vented Disc |
Rear Brakes | Vented Disc |
Parking Brake | Electric |
Tires | Hankook Ventus S1 Evo3 RFT 225/45 R 18 Y (f & r) |
Wheels | Alloy |
Safety Features | |
Airbags | 8 |
Anti-Lock Brakes (ABS) | Yes, with EBD |
Traction / Stability Control | Yes |
Parking Sensors | Yes, Front and Rear |
Parking Camera | Yes, Rear |
Front Seatbelts | 3-pt ELR with pre-tensioner x 2 |
Rear Seatbelts |
3-pt ELR with pre-tensioner
x 2, 3-pt ELR x 1 |
ISOFIX Child Seat Anchor | Yes |
Other Safety Features |
Hill Start Assist Tire Pressure Monitoring Parking Assistant |
Exterior Features | |
Headlights | LED |
Fog Lamps | Yes, Front and Rear (LED) |
Auto Lights | Yes |
Rain-sensing Wipers | Yes |
Tailgate | Electric |
Interior Features | |
Steering Wheel Adjust | Tilt/Telescopic |
Steering Wheel Material | Leather |
Seating Adjustment (driver) | Electric, 8-way, w/ Memory |
Seating Adjustment (front passenger) | Electric, 8-way |
Seating Surface | Synthetic Leather |
Folding Rear Seat | No |
Sunroof | No |
Trip Computer | Yes |
Convenience Features | |
Power Steering | Yes |
Power Door Locks | Yes |
Power Windows | Yes |
Power Mirrors | Yes, w/ Fold |
Rear View Mirror | Auto-dimming |
Proximity Key | Yes |
Climate Control | Auto, Tri-Zone, w/ Rear Vents |
Audio System |
Stereo USB Type A x 1 USB Type C x 3 Bluetooth |
Smartphone Connectivity | None |
# of Speakers | 8 |
Steering Controls | Yes |
Filed Under:
BMW 3 Series,
Driver's Seat,
Luxury Car
April 28, 2021
What Happens When Rolls-Royce and Hermès Collaborate On A Car?
What happens when Rolls-Royce Motors Cars and Hermès decides to collaborate? This one-of-a-kind Phantom luxury sedan finished for Japanese entrepreneur Yusaku Maezawa.
Filed Under:
Luxury Car,
News,
Rolls-Royce Phantom
April 26, 2021
2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Is This Year's World Luxury Car of the Year
The 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class has been recognized as this year’s World Luxury Car of the Year. Voted by 93 international journalists from 28 countries, Mercedes-Benz’s flagship sedan beat out Sweden’s Polestar 2, and Britain’s Land Rover Defender to win the award.
Filed Under:
Car Awards,
Luxury Car,
Mercedes-Benz S-Class,
News
April 7, 2021
Mercedes-Benz PH Opens Order Books for 2022 S-Class, Offers More Level of Customization Than Ever
Auto Nation Group (ANG), the exclusive distributor of Mercedes-Benz in the Philippines is bringing in the new S-Class, their flagship luxury sedan built for the modern times.
Filed Under:
Luxury Car,
Mercedes-Benz S-Class,
News
March 24, 2021
2021 Lexus LS Comes with a New P 5.928M Variant
Lexus Philippines is updating its flagship sedan, the LS for 2021 with added safety and convenience features, and a new variant that starts at below P 6 million.
Filed Under:
Car Launch,
Lexus LS,
Luxury Car,
News
March 19, 2021
MINI Philippines Brings in Paddy Hopkirk Special Edition for P 3.250M
MINI Asia and British United Automobiles, Inc. are proud to introduce five units of an exclusive special model to commemorate the first triumph of the classic Mini at the legendary Monte Carlo Rally in 1964: the MINI Paddy Hopkirk Edition. It is now available for the MINI Cooper S 3 Door variant in Moonwalk Grey Metallic and Starlight Blue colors.
Filed Under:
Car Launch,
Luxury Car,
MINI Cooper,
News
March 14, 2021
Review: 2021 Lexus IS 350 F Sport
This here is the 2021 Lexus IS 350 F Sport, my new favorite sports sedan. At P 3.808 million, it’s more expensive than most, if not all of the local German offerings—the Audi A4, BMW 3 Series, and Mercedes-Benz C-Class, but none can hold a candle to it. At the heart of all this is what the brand calls the “Lexus Driving Signature.” It’s supposed to deliver a more linear, more engaging drive in every aspect. It sure sounds like market nonsense at first, but at the end of the day, it does just that: deliver a better sports sedan.
Filed Under:
Driver's Seat,
Lexus IS,
Luxury Car
March 4, 2021
The 2021 Lexus IS 300h Undercuts Its German Rivals with Its Sub-Three Million Price Tag
Lexus Philippines adds another variant to the IS sports sedan range with the introduction of the IS 300h. Priced at just P 2.978 million, it now becomes the entry point into the IS range.
Filed Under:
Car Launch,
Lexus IS,
Luxury Car,
News
February 18, 2021
Kia's New Logo Makes Its Production Car Debut on the 2022 K8 Sports Sedan
Kia’s new logo makes its debut on a production car: meet the 2022 K8. With a focus on modern, premium quality, and dynamic performance, the K8 moves forward in the sports sedan space, and hopes to build success of the K7 (aka Cadenza).
Filed Under:
Kia K8,
Luxury Car,
News
February 3, 2021
MINI Embraces Big Grilles Starting with 2021 Three-Door Hardtop
Mini held out as much as they could, but it’s official: they’re now embracing big grilles. Beginning with the 2021 hardtop and convertible models, they’ll start sporting this new design DNA.
Filed Under:
Luxury Car,
MINI Cooper,
News
December 20, 2020
For P 3.4-million, the MINI Convertible Sidewalk Edition is One Extroverted Droptop
Mini Philippines is capping off 2020 with the introduction of the Mini Convertible Sidewalk Edition—a more extroverted version of its open-top Cooper S.
Filed Under:
Car Launch,
Luxury Car,
MINI Cooper,
News
December 18, 2020
The Mercedes-Benz S-Class is More Than Just a Car; It's An Experience
As the flagship of the Mercedes-Benz range, the S-Class boasts an impressive level of luxury, state-of-the-art technology, high level of comfort and ground-breaking safety systems. It embodies the automotive essence of a lifestyle characterized by the highest possible standards of mobility and individuality.
Filed Under:
Luxury Car,
Mercedes-Benz Corporate,
Mercedes-Benz S-Class,
News
November 21, 2020
For P 3.328M, the 2021 Lexus IS Redefines the Sports Sedan (w/ Specs)
Since the debut of its first-generation Lexus IS in 1999, the model has pursued the thrill of driving unique to compact rear-wheel drive sports sedans. In just three generations, it has captured the hearts of over a million enthusiasts around the world. The 2021 model aims to push the limits even higher.
Filed Under:
Car Launch,
Lexus IS,
Luxury Car,
News
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)