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Showing posts sorted by relevance for query BMW 1 Series. Sort by date Show all posts
Showing posts sorted by relevance for query BMW 1 Series. Sort by date Show all posts

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.

August 5, 2019

BMW's Decision to Axe the Z4 May Result in a Future Toyota Supra Engineered by Mazda


With BMW striving to cut its operating expenses, reports coming out suggest that they may be culling some of their niche products.

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 20, 2012

BMW is Best-Selling Philippine Luxury Car Brand, Outlines 2012 Plans

Photo courtesy of BMW Press
Asian Carmakers Corporation (ACC), the official distributor of BMW vehicles in the Philippines has revealed itself to be the best-selling luxury automotive brand for 2011. In a recent press conference, ACC President Ms. Maricar Parco said that for 2011, BMW has garnered a 33 percent market share in the segment. With an annual sales of 792 units, it represented a 19 percent gain year-on-year, bucking the downward sales trend seen by the local motoring association CAMPI or Chamber of Automobile Manufacturers of the Philippines, Inc.

Likewise, Ms. Parco has also revealed that for 2012 they are targeting 850 units or an additional growth of 7 percent fueled by the recently launched BMW 1 Series. In addition, she has also said to expect no less than 3 new models to enter the country which includes the new BMW 3 Series as well as a refreshed BMW 7 Series. ACC also expects to receive a shipment of the highly anticipated BMW M5 sports sedan early this year.

June 19, 2014

Experience the World of Joy: BMW Philippines Sending Some Lucky Owners to BMW World 2014 in Singapore


In celebration of BMW’s continued leadership in the premium automotive segment, Asian Carmakers Corporation (ACC), the official importer and distributor of BMW vehicles in the Philippines, will be sending lucky BMW buyers to the BMW World 2014, the biggest single-brand motor show, to be held at the Marina Bay Sands in Singapore.

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

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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

August 14, 2015

Feel Like Tom Cruise? BMW Offers Chance to Visit Morocco with 3 Series Promo


As it marks 40 years of sheer driving pleasure with the BMW 3 Series, BMW presents fans and car enthusiasts a chance to experience an action-packed adventure in Marrakech, Morocco. Asian Carmakers Corporation, the official importer and distributor of BMW in the Philippines, will take one lucky buyer to an all-expense paid trip to thrilling destinations across the Red City.

November 5, 2017

BMW to Recall 1 Million Vehicles for Fire Risk


Reuters reports that BMW is recalling approximately 1 million vehicles for two separate issues that involve fire risks. Although the recall is currently limited to the North American market, BMW AG says that the recall may spread to other markets globally.

June 17, 2015

All-New X6 to Lead BMW Philippines's Father's Day Celebrations


BMW will once again host a weekend of incomparable joy as it honors all dads with an exciting three-day showcase of the best in premium mobility in celebration of father’s day. Through its official importer and distributor in the Philippines, Asian Carmakers Corporation (ACC), the leading premium automotive brand will feature its latest product offerings and special deals at the BMW Ultimate Dad’s Weekend from June 19 to 21, 2015.

July 22, 2013

A Play Date with the 2013 BMW X1

Photos by Ulysses Ang
It began almost two weeks ago with the most “humble” of invites: a black box with the words “BMW X1: Let’s Play” printed on it. Receiving a three-dimensional, non-paper invite already made me feel special, but once I got to peek inside, it made it say, “Oh my god”. There it was, in all its glory, a brand-new BlackBerry Z10 (well, half of the participants received an Apple iPhone 5). It came with the strict instructions that it was to be returned after the drive, and yet, this made me feel like a million bucks. And this was just the appetizer.

April 27, 2017

5 Reasons Why the 2017 BMW X1 is the Ultimate Urban All-Rounder


BMW created a stir when they created the Sport Activity Vehicle or SAV segment in 1999. At the same, premium SUVs were great to drive off the road, but not really good on it. The SAV broke that mold, offering BMW’s famed driving dynamics with a body style the world loved. The BMW X1 is the smallest among them all, and since the second-generation model arrives, here are 5 reasons why it’s the ultimate urban all-rounder.

August 3, 2018

Goodyear Assurance TripleMax 2 Increases Driver Safety and Confidence (w/ Video)


Designed to gear up and prepare passenger car drivers especially for the rainy season, Goodyear Philippines launched the Assurance TripleMax 2. Equipped with the new HydroTred Technology, it offers excellent grip performance with short braking distance under wet road conditions. This allows drivers to stop faster and drive safer during changeable weather conditions.

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.

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).

February 23, 2020

The 2020 BMW X1 Gets Weaker Engine, But Becomes P800k Cheaper (w/ Brochure)


Together with the all-new 2020 1 Series, BMW Philippines has launched the refreshed X1 giving it aesthetic and feature updates, along with a significantly lower price tag.

April 9, 2019

BMW Philippines is Cutting the Price of Its X1 by P 600,000 This April


Thinking of getting into the BMW brand for the first time? Well, BMW Philippines is offering a great entry into the world of sheer driving pleasure with special rates on its X1 and 1 Series this April.

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.

January 12, 2016

NAIAS 2016: BMW M2 is the Reincarnation of the 2002 Turbo


BMW is evoking the legendary 2002 Turbo and the E30 BMW M3 with the all-new M2. A direct successor to the 1 Series M Coupe, the M2 delivers outstanding dynamics and exceptional agility in a compact package. With its high-performance inline-6 and rear-wheel drive, BMW says that this is the final world in driving pleasure.

January 22, 2019