Showing posts sorted by date for query BMW 2 Series. Sort by relevance Show all posts
Showing posts sorted by date for query BMW 2 Series. Sort by relevance Show all posts
October 3, 2023
Pampanga Food Tripping With The BMW X1, X3, And 3 Series
It’s been eight years since BMW Philippines last held a ride and drive. The last one, if you were old enough to remember, was with the 2 Series Active Tourer way back in 2015. That was a different era: X was still Twitter, Facebook had a timeline (rather than a newsfeed), and there wasn’t any mad rush among motoring journos to hit, “publish” first on any story. Today, we’ve got a maniac in charge of X, Facebook’s now known as Meta, and journalists (me included) are more concentrated on churning out stories than anything else. It’s times like these I yearn for simpler times and thank goodness BMW’s managed to give that even for just one afternoon.
Filed Under:
BMW 3 Series,
BMW X1,
BMW X3,
Feature,
Travel
August 28, 2023
Review: 2023 BMW M340i xDrive Touring
Before SUVs and crossovers took over the world, if you needed to haul stuff, there were wagons. Thanks to the popularity of cladded up raised passenger cars, wagons or estates (or Touring if you prefer the proper BMW term), are now relegated to a very fringe set of buyers. That’s why it comes as a pleasant surprise that BMW Philippines has decided to bring in not one, not two, but three members of the 3 Series Touring family.
Filed Under:
BMW 3 Series,
Driver's Seat,
Luxury Car
March 27, 2023
2023 BMW X7 Gains Aggressive New Look, Hybrid Power For P 9.890M (w/ Specs)
Ahead of the launch of its newest flagship sedan, the all-new 7 Series, SMC Asia Car Distributors Corporation has also brought in the refreshed version of its most luxury SUV: the BMW X7.
Filed Under:
BMW X7,
Car Launch,
Luxury SUV,
News
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.
Filed Under:
BMW 5 Series,
Driver's Seat,
Luxury Car
February 8, 2023
Mazda CX-60, Nissan Z Selected As World's Best Cars Of 2023
The countdown to awarding the best car of 2023 starts today with the announcement of the Top 10 finalists at the World Car Awards. The Top 5 finalists in seven categories have also been announced.
Filed Under:
Car Awards,
Mazda CX-60,
New York International Auto Show,
News
February 4, 2023
Sportscars, Hybrids Dominate List Of Most Satisfying Cars To Own
Would you buy the same car again that you’re driving now? That’s the single defining question behind the annual Consumer Reports list of Most Satisfying and Least Satisfying cars.
Filed Under:
Chevrolet Corvette,
Hyundai Ioniq 5,
Mazda MX-5,
News,
Porsche 911,
Subaru BRZ,
Toyota 86,
Toyota RAV4
January 9, 2023
BMW PH Expands 2 Series Family With New Variants
BMW in the Philippines is updating the 2 Series line-up with the arrival of two new variants that promise the same athletic design, sporting prowess, and even more innovative features.
Filed Under:
BMW 2 Series,
Car Launch,
News,
Sports Car
April 28, 2022
2022 BMW 2 Series Keeps Classic Proportions, Rear Wheel Drive For P 3.690M (w/ Specs)
To set a new benchmark for driving pleasure in the country, the all-new BMW 2 Series Coupé has been introduced by the official importer and distributor of BMW in the Philippines, SMC Asia Car Distributors Corp.
Filed Under:
BMW 2 Series,
Car Launch,
News,
Sports Car
March 26, 2022
Is Chery Auto Philippines Going To Launch A Hybrid SUV At MIAS?
Is Chery Auto Philippines going to launch their very own hybrid SUV? That may be the case based on teasers posted by the Chinese auto brand the past few weeks (check out their posts below).
Filed Under:
Chery Tiggo 8 Pro,
MIAS,
Mid-sized SUV,
News
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.
Filed Under:
BMW 5 Series,
Driver's Seat,
Luxury Car
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.
Filed Under:
Car Awards,
Isuzu D-Max,
Land Rover Defender,
News
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.
Filed Under:
Dodge Corporate,
J.D. Power,
News,
RAM 1500
July 7, 2021
BMW Gives A Regular-Sized Grille On The All-New 2022 2 Series Coupe
After showing it off in camouflaged form, BMW has finally revealed its new rear-wheel drive sports coupe: the 2022 BMW 2 Series Coupe.
Filed Under:
BMW 2 Series,
News,
Sports Car
June 28, 2021
BMW X3, 2 Series Gran Coupe To Star In Marvel's Black Widow
BMW is the latest carmaker to join the Marvel Cinematic Universe or MCU thanks to their new collaboration on “Black Widow” (check the behind the scenes look below).
Filed Under:
BMW 2 Series,
BMW Corporate,
BMW X3,
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
May 18, 2021
Toyota To Race Hydrogen-Powered Corolla At 24-Hour Endurance Race
Toyota is steadfast in its development of an internal combustion engine powered by hydrogen. And to prove the merits of the technology, they’ll be racing a specially-prepped Corolla Sport at a 24-hour endurance race starting on May 21. Piloted by no less than Toyota president Akio Toyoda, it will compete in Japan’s Super Taikyu Series.
Filed Under:
Motorsports,
News,
Toyota Corolla
BMW To Launch GR Supra-Based Coupe: The 2022 2 Series
BMW is readying its own two-door coupe based on the GR Supra’s underpinnings with the world’s first look at the 2022 2 Series.
Filed Under:
BMW 2 Series,
News,
Sports Car
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.
Filed Under:
Chery Tiggo 7,
Compact SUV,
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
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