Lego unveils its latest collection of vehicles, developed in partnership with iconic car and racing brands such as BMW, McLaren Racing & Senna, and the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula 1 Team.
Showing posts sorted by date for query BMW 1 Series. Sort by relevance Show all posts
Showing posts sorted by date for query BMW 1 Series. Sort by relevance Show all posts
April 11, 2024
LEGO's Latest Collection Of Racing Builds Now Available In The Philippines
Lego unveils its latest collection of vehicles, developed in partnership with iconic car and racing brands such as BMW, McLaren Racing & Senna, and the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula 1 Team.
March 28, 2024
Kia EV9 Crowned As 2024 World Car Of The Year; Toyota Prius Wins Design Of The Year
Fully electric or electrified vehicles have successfully swept this year’s World Car of the Year (WCOTY) awards. After trimming down eligible cars sold around the world, a jury of 100 automotive journalists from 29 countries chose the Kia EV9 as the 2024 World Car of the Year. It’s yet another major award for the EV SUV after winning the Women’s Worldwide Car of the Year honors earlier.
March 3, 2024
ENEOS Is Title Sponsor Of 2024 Super Sprint Series
Eneos Philippines Corporation (ENEPH), the local office of Eneos Corporation, Japan’s No. 1 Oil Company, has signed on to become the title sponsor of this year’s Super Sprint series organized by GMET Events. The Super Sprint series is a timed competition where drivers navigate one at a time through a defined course. The design of the track is geared toward beginner to intermediate drivers and is characterized by a quick but challenging layout that emphasizes safe but active competition.
January 29, 2024
Kia EV9, BMW 5 Series Among 2024 WWCOTY Finalists
The category winners for this year’s Women’s Worldwide Car of the Year (WWCOTY) have been announced. The winners in the Family Car, Large Car, SUV, Exclusive Car, and 4x4 & Pick-Up will all vie for the Women’s Worldwide Car of the Year which will be announced on International Women’s Day on March 8.
February 19, 2023
Review: 2023 BMW 530i M Sport
Few cars have such wide-ranging talents as the BMW 5 Series, and buyers seem to agree: it’s been at the heart of the German automaker’s range in every generation that’s been around (the current is the seventh). However, in the time when it has become almost the default choice, helped by the fact that it’s the best of its kind, it faces an interesting challenge: luxury crossovers. But as the demand for luxury sedans is shrinking, BMW isn’t going down without a fight. Their response is to come up with the best 5 Series since the legendary E39 generation.
January 18, 2023
Motul Launches 8100 Power Lubricant For Southeast Asia
Motul Asia Pacific launches the Motul 8100 Power at the Singapore Motor Show 2023, where they were the official lubricant sponsor.
March 13, 2022
Review: 2022 BMW 520i Luxury
BMW is the undisputed market leader in luxury vehicles in the Philippines. But while they tend to do excellently sales-wise, they don’t offer the same leadership when it comes to creature comfort features. The foundations—the engine and platform—all tend to be solid, but they fall short when it comes to things that customers actually touch and feel like the trimmings and accruements.
January 26, 2022
BMW Is Giving Its V12 Engine One Last Ride
After more than thirty years, BMW is ending production of its V12 engine by the middle of this year. And the last production vehicle to be fitted with the extravagant engine is the BMW 7 Series. Based off the M760i xDrive (see lead photo), the series will be called The Final V12 and will be distinguished by unique badging, wheels, and a choice of exterior colors and upholstery from BMW Individual.
January 3, 2022
Isuzu D-MAX is 2021 People's Choice For Automobile Of The Year
The Isuzu D-MAX and the Land Rover Defender took home maiden honors at the Auto Focus People’s Choice Awards (AFPCA) which bestowed them the titles of the “Standard Automobile of the Year” and the “Premium/Luxury Automobile of the Year,” respectively.
November 3, 2021
All-New Honda Civic Announced As Japan Car Of The Year 2021-2022 Nominee
The nominees for the 2021-2022 Japan Car of the Year awards have been announced, and for this year, 29 cars are vying for the top prize. To be nominated, they had to be announced or launched in Japan between November 1, 2020 and October 31, 2021.
September 29, 2021
Honda Teases Integra Anew, Shows Off Hatchback Form
After a surprising announcement made last month, Honda is continuing its tease on the all-new Integra. This time, they’ve shown off what sort of body style it will have.
September 1, 2021
RAM Is Best Ranked Brand In Initial Quality For 2021
RAM and Lexus top the 2021 J.D. Power U.S. Initial Quality Study (IQS) as the highest rated mass market and premium brand respectively.
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.
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 |
April 14, 2021
BMW Opens Flagship Greenhills Showroom
SMC Asia Car Distributors Corp., the official importer and distributor of BMW in the Philippines, is proud to announce the completion of the latest and largest BMW dealership facility in the Philippines.
March 17, 2021
Chery Auto PH Sells Out Initial Batch of Tiggo 7 Pro Units
Demand for Chery’s all-new Tiggo 7 Pro has been so high that the first batch of the compact SUV, launched only last January 27, was sold out within 30 days. And there is already a growing waiting list for the next shipment scheduled to arrive this March.
December 17, 2020
Chery Auto PH Holds Public Preview of the Tiggo 7 Pro at MIAS Wired
If our first impressions aren’t enough, you can also take a sneak peek at Chery’s upcoming compact crossover—the Tiggo 7 Pro at MIAS Wired.
November 19, 2020
These are the Finalists for the 2020-2021 Japan Car of the Year
The Top 10 finalists for the Japan Car of the Year 2020-2021 has been revealed. Considered as Japan’s most prestigious car award, the following ten cars advanced to the final around after besting 33 eligible entries.
September 29, 2020
Traditional Handbrakes May Soon Disappear
In a few more years, prepare to say goodbye to one automotive feature: mechanical handbrakes. Research by U.K.-based automotive shopping site CarGurus reports that more and more carmakers are ditching them in favor of electronic parking brakes or EPBs.
May 29, 2020
Starting June 1, the BMW 5 Series Will Cost Less Than P 62 Per Day to Maintain
SMC Asia Car Distributors Corporation, the exclusive distributor of BMW vehicles in the Philippines will now have the lowest cost of ownership thanks to its new service program called, BMW Service Inclusive (BSI).
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