Audi Will Launch Q3 Sport Very Soon

Over the past few weeks, Mercedes Benz & BMW have been in the limelight for introducing Indian consumers to luxurious, high end hatchbacks. While Mercedes has the first mover advantage with the A class, BMW is expected to launch its 1 series hatchback by September this year. Not to be left behind, the current luxury segment leader, Audi, has adopted a rather clever strategy to rival the other Germans’ offerings. Instead of joining the fight with its A3 Sportback, Audi is launching a ‘low cost’ variant of its Q3, which will be priced along the lines of the aforementioned hatchbacks from Mercedes & BMW. Audi’s strategy hinges around the fact that the Q3, being an SUV, is bigger & offers better perceived value than the ‘smaller’ hatchbacks from Merc & BMW. Also, the preference of an SUV or SUV like body style amongst Indian consumers further works in Audi’s favour.

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BMW Group has officially launched the MINI brand in India

The BMW Group, which owns the Mini brand, has officially launched the iconic brand in India. Available as a Completely Built up Unit (CBU), the Mini will be sold in three body styles; Hatch, Convertible & Countryman. The Mini range will sport 1.6 litre petrol engines with 120bhp & 181bhp power outputs, coupled with a six speed automatic transmission.

India is the 100th country in which the Mini has been launched. The range, which was showcased at the Auto Expo earlier this year, already has 100 buyers in the country. The deliveries will start from May.

Speaking at the launch in Mumbai, Dr Andreas Schaaf, President, BMW Group India, said: “We have brought the world’s most exciting premium small car brand to India. The Mini is more than just a car – it is a personality on wheels – a fashion statement – & a way of life. The Mini expresses a whole generation’s approach to life – it is extrovert, open & full of zest in life. No other brand exhibits the attributes & essence of a modern urban lifestyle like MINI & there is no doubt that it is one of the world’s most emotional auto brands.”

“By launching the new Mini 10 years ago, we created the world’s first premium small car brand in the world. Since then, we have sold over two million Minis & converted the brand from a single model offer to a family of six models. Our main focus this year will be to concentrate on successfully establishing the MINI brand in India.” Dr. Schaaf further added.

Infinity Cars, the first exclusive showroom for the Mini brand, is located at Linking Road,Mumbai. Pooja Choudury, MD, Infinity Cars, said: “We are proud to launch the first Mini showroom in Mumbai. The Mini will open up a whole new world of inventiveness & style here.”

Mini India has announced plans to around five to six dealerships in India including two exclusive outlets in Delhi (NCR) in 2012.


Prices for the Mini range are:
Mini Cooper: Rs 25.5 lakh
Mini Cooper S: Rs 28.6 lakh
Mini Cooper Convertible: Rs 30.7 lakh
Mini Cooper S Countryman: Rs 32.8 lakh
Mini Cooper S Countryman High: Rs 35.9 lakh
(All prices ex-showroom)

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BMW has revealed New Facelifted X1

X1 gets a mid-cycle styling update, will be officially unveiled at the upcoming New York Auto Show.

These are the first pictures of the updated BMW X1 which will be revealed at the New York Auto Show. These updates come just two and half years after its entry level SUV was first revealed in its production guise.

In a move to rid the car of its black plastic cladding and provide it with a more upmarket appearance, the X1 receives a host of subtle exterior styling tweaks.

Changes include the adoption of a more heavily contoured front bumper with an altered grille featuring silver slats, more pronounced sockets for the round fog lamps and a completely redesigned lower section finished with a silver accent.

The headlamps retain the same familiar shape as those used on the existing X1, but receive new internal graphics, including LED corona ring main beam lights as an option. Further back, it gets reshaped exterior mirror housings carrying side repeater lights.

The rear receives a restyled bumper, which like the one up front, has been lightened visually by the adoption of more body coloured surfaces and a larger silver scrub-plate element.

Inside, the X1 adopts a lightly reworked centre console, high gloss air vents and a new range of optional trim elements. BMW will also start selling the X1 in the US post its reveal at the New York Auto show.

Expect the updated X1 to hit our shores later this year.

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BMW has Unvieled new i8 Spider

This open top BMW i8 Spyder concept will be turned into a production variant of the petrol electric hybrid supercar in 2015.

 The i8 Spyder is the third pre production version of the revolutionary supercar. It’s set for its first public airing at the Beiging motor show later this month. This concept is said to give extra clues to the production coupé, which is due to go on sale in late 2014. Of note are the solid doors, which replace the transparent sides of the previous concepts.

There are other subtle differences from the two previous concepts. The kidney grille is blanked off to cut aerodynamic drag & the ‘layered surfacing’ styling treatment has evolved slightly with its open roof design, the i8 Spyder has a new, free standing windscreen & conventional door glazing that integrates with fixed rear three quarter side panels.

To provide roll over protection & boost chassis stiffness, there are prominent safety hoops, faired in by body panels, at the rear of the cabin. Although this concept leaves the design of the roof unclear, BMW insiders suggest that a removable panel, probably fashioned from carbonfibre, is the favoured solution.

The rear end has also been modified, with a flat, transparent engine cover in place of the sloping coupé roofline. It doubles as the luggage cover, over a wide but shallow stowage space.

As with all future BMW ‘i’ sub brand models, the Spyder is based around a lightweight carbonfibre reinforced plastic structure clothed in body panels of the same material. It is 4480mm long, 1922mm wide & 1208mm tall. That makes it 130mm shorter, 142mm wider & 187mm lower than a 335i cabriolet.

The snug 2+2 layout of the i8 coupé has been ditched for a pure two seat cabin, with the rear bulkhead moved forward to provide added space for the engine. With a 2650mm wheelbase, accommodation is described as “generous”.

The i8 Spyder has the same plug in petrol electric hybrid system used by the i8 coupé. The 1.5 litre three cylinder turbo petrol engine is mid/rear mounted & delivers up to 220bhp to the rear wheels. The same engine will be offered in future Minis & a new front wheel drive entry level BMW.

In the i8 Spyder, the 1.5 litre petrol engine is mated to a front mounted 129bhp electric motor driving the front wheels via a fixed ratio gearbox.

The i8 powertrain can operate on petrol or electric power, or a combination of the two & in either front, rear or four wheel drive. A range extender function recharges the battery on the move. Together the petrol & electric motors make 349bhp. Computer simulations suggest the 1630kg i8 Spyder’s 0 100kph will be 5.0sec. Top speed limited at 250kph.

With the lithium ion battery sited within the centre tunnel & the petrol tank behind the rear bulkhead, BMW is claiming 50:50 weight distribution. Technical details of the battery remain secret, although BMW reports a 1hr 45min recharge using a high voltage supply. A recuperation system is also included to collect kinetic energy produced under braking & on a trailing throttle.

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New BMW’s affordable GS is for India

BMW is readying the F650 GS from its ever popular adventure family for launch in India. The name could lead you to think back to the mid nineties, when another BMW, the big single engine powered Funduro, launched here courtesy the Hero group. The F650 GS is however a very different animal as compared to the Funduro, that was a bike ahead of its time. Unlike the Funduro’s big single, Rotax developed engine, the GS’s trellis frame holds a more potent, four stroke, liquid cooled, 798cc parallel twin motor that is shared with the 85bhp F800GS. Power for the F650 GS is although capped at a milder 71bhp.

At idle the F650 GS’s fuel injected BMW powerplant settles into a smooth rhythm with a muted, bass rich exhaust beat. The saddle of this near 200kg motorcycle is considerably high, enough to make the bike feel a shade daunting at first. But get it off the stand & going, & you find yourself towering above everything else on the road in a really commanding position. This confidence inspiring seating position will work its charm on you fairly quickly, as the light action, cable operated clutch makes it easy for a rider to tap deep into the parallel twin engine’s smooth & uncomplicated performance.

Our brief test ride proves the GS is a capable work horse, ever willing to trot slowly without kicking up a fuss. The BMW is flexible enough to allow you to pull smoothly forward from a patient 30kph in third gear without any stuttering or fuss. Start using your right wrist with enthusiasm however, & the GS transforms into a stallion, breaking into a thundering gallop in a flash. 71bhp of creamy smooth power & a healthy 7.6kgm of torque prove really rewarding to use, ample whether in the city or gunning the F650 GS out on the highway.

The versatile motorcycle’s wide handlebar & comfy upright riding position makes it easy to ride & maneuver around on our crowded roads. It comes as no surprise the GS’ telescopic front suspension & monoshock rear setup are capable of thundering over the worst surfaces with complete authority. It feels as though the F650 GS barely registers any of India’s commonly found lumpy tarmac or potholes, making this a truly ideal motorcycle for daily use in our demanding conditions. Ride quality remains remarkably flat always, with as much comfort on offer as possible despite such varying road conditions. Another praiseworthy asset to the F650 GS is it maintains all this solid composure despite when riding with a full size adult as pillion.

While BMW’s off road enthusiasts may bemoan a conventional chain being used for final drive instead of a shaft, & alloy wheels (17 inch front & 19 inch rear wrapped with capable, German Metzeler rubber) the GS is more than capable of handling any terrain you dare to ride over. The ABS brakes felt reassuring, this important safety feature certain to reduce the stress of riding this new motorcycle.

The baby GS is a well rounded motorcycle that can be ridden daily, & everywhere, provided the standard seat height of 820mm doesn’t scare you away. The F650 GS goes on sale in May 2012, backed by the proven after sales & service care provided by Navnit Motor’s, BMW Motorrad’s Mumbai based importer. The ABS equipped F650GS is expected to launch at an attractive Rs 8 10.5 lakh on road price in Pune.

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BMW recalls 5 series & 6 series models

BMW is recalling 1.3m cars globally amid fears 5 series & 6 series models could catch fire. This is for model year 2003 2010 cars.

BMW said: "In some remote cases, the battery cable inside the boot may be incorrectly mounted.  This can result in the electrical system malfunctioning, the vehicle failing to start and, in some cases, to charring or fire."

Fewer than 1 per cent of cars inspected so far have exhibited the problem. BMW said it had received nine reports of the defect. An official said: "no injuries to a person have been reported to us."

The car maker will write to owners of all cars affected. It said checks will take around 30mins & be free of charge.

The recall affects around 368,000 cars in America, 283,000 in Germany, 109,000 in Britain & a further 102,000 in China.

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The new M6 unvieled by BMW

BMW has achieved supercar levels of performance with its new 552bhp M6 coupé & convertible. The two are BMW’s fastest ever two door road cars, with a top speed of nearly 305kph. They’re powered by a twin turbocharged 4.4 litre V8. The new M6 coupe will debut at next month’s Geneva motor show & the cabriolet will be revealed at the New York motor show in April this year.

The latest M6 coupé & convertible are closely related to the recently introduced M5 saloon, sharing its potent twin turbocharged 4.4 litre V8 petrol engine & seven speed, dual clutch gearbox. With 552bhp & 69.4kgm of torque, the engine develops 52bhp & 16.8kgm of torque more than the naturally aspirated 5.0 litre V10 of the previous generation M6.

It has sufficient reserves, says BMW, to compensate for the increase in kerb weight to 1850kg (the previous M6 coupé weighed 1710kg) & to propel the fixed head car from a standstill to 100kph in 4.2sec & to 200kph in 12.6sec

Drive is channelled to the rear wheels via M division’s active differential, as on the M5. In standard form, the M6 reaches a top speed limited to 250kph — or 305kph with the optional M Driver’s Package.

The performance of the new 1980kg M6 convertible (50kg heavier than before) is no less impressive. It posts official times of 4.3sec for 0-100kph & 13.1sec for 0-200kph, together with the same top speed as the coupé.

Exterior changes compared with a regular 6 series are largely functional & aimed, for the most part, at providing sufficient cooling air for the engine. They include a deep front spoiler, widened front wings, a unique front grille, a prominent diffuser, signature quad exhausts & 19in alloy wheels shod with 265/40 R19 tyres at the front & 295/35 R19s at the rear.

BMW has implemented a series of weight saving measures designed to offset the M6’s increased dimensions, higher standard equipment levels & more substantial rear seats. These include a clear lacquered CFRP (carbonfibre reinforced plastic) roof for the M6 coupé, together with aluminium skinned doors & bonnet, composite plastic front wings & a glassfibre composite boot lid for both models.

Underpinning the new M6s is a heavily reworked version of the standard 6 series’ double wishbone (front) & multi link (rear) suspension, with track widths shared with the M5 saloon & unique dampers, springs & bushing.

Among a raft of standard electronic driving aids are uniquely calibrated ABS (anti lock brakes), DSC (dynamic stability control) ASC (anti skid control), CBC (cornering brake control), DBC (dynamic brake control) & DBF (dry braking function) systems.

For the first time on the M6, BMW is also offering the new coupé & convertible with optional carbon ceramic brake discs. Available in combination with optional 20in wheels, the carbon ceramic discs measure 410mm up front & 396mm at the rear & are claimed to weigh 19.4kg less in total than the standard steel items, for significantly lower unsprung masses. The new carbon-ceramic brakes are distinguished by six-piston & single-piston floating calipers painted gold.

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BMW K1600GT won the IBOTY award this year

BMW Motor's Bike K1600GT has won prestigious International Bike Of Year (IBOTY) award for 2011. This multi talented, 6-cylinder super-tourer bike has trounced all the rivals for gaining 1st position by a good margin, while Ducati’s electrifying Diavel is the year runner up & the Aprilia Tuono V4APRC has been ranked third.

IBOTY ranks among the world’s top motor  bike awards which is in its 27th year running and naming a single best motorcycle launched each year. The jury of IBOTY which comprises twenty five automobile magazines and is based on every continent, spreaded across many countries.

This was the 2nd consecutive IBOTY victory of BMW, after their supersports S1000RR which won in last year’s edition. The K1600GTL has also won a Bloomberg UTV Autocar’s Import Bike Of The Year Award this year.

Participating magazines in the IBOTY are: Australian Motorcycle News (Australia), Auto By (Japan), Bike (Scandinavia), Bike (UK), Cycle World (USA), Der Reitwagen (Austria), Inmoto (Italy), KicXstart (Netherlands), Kiwi Rider (New Zealand), La Moto (Spain), Maximoto (France), Moto Culture Asia (Malaysia, Singapore), Moto (Greece), Moto Journal (Canada), Moto & Loisirs (Belgium), Moto Mag (Israel), Motoraj (Czech Republic), Motoron (Turkey), MotoSi (Slovenia), MotorWereld (Belgium), PS Magazin (Germany), Revista Moto (Mexico), SuperBike (South Africa), SwiatMotocykli (Poland) and Autocar India.

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BMW revealed the new Facelifted X6

BMW has revealed the first official pictures of the updated X6 SAV (Sport-Activity Vehicle).

Changes at the front of the revised car include relocated foglights, which now sit high up in the outer air inlets, a more pronounced kidney grille and the addition of optional adaptive LED headlamps; these come as standard on the new performance-oriented BMW X6M as do blue aluminium brake callipers.

At the rear of the facelifted X6, new horizontally mounted twin LED light banks emphasize the car’s width. Further external revisions include new paint finishes – including Marrakech Brown metallic, Orion Silver metallic and Midnight Blue metallic – and new bi-colour, double spoke 19-inch alloys for the BMW X6 xDrive 50i model.

In international markets, the X6 now also come with BMW’s recently launched M-diesel engine while in India we get the X6 xDrive50i with a 4.4-litre V8 petrol engine and a X6 xDrive30d with a diesel. As seen with the recently updated X5, the X6 could also get an eight-speed gearbox.

The updated X6 will be on sale in global markets sometime mid-2012.










Also read: The performance oriented diesel range unvieled by  BMW

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The performance oriented diesel range unvieled by BMW

BMW will introduce a new range of performance-orientated M division-developed diesel models later this year.  The new oil-burners will get an initial public airing at the Geneva motor show in March.

The four-wheel-drive X5 M50d and X6 M50d will arrive in global markets this June. Rear-wheel-drive M550d saloon and M550d Touring models engineered specifically for right-hand drive markets are tipped to go on sale in October. These four cars represent an M division first, with all running a newly developed version of BMW’s 3.0-litre, six-cylinder diesel engine.

The new powerplant is fitted with a triple-turbo induction system that BMW sources suggest is set to revolutionise the efficiency and performance credentials of traditional combustion engines, in both diesel and petrol formats.

The new models will form the basis of what BMW has dubbed its ‘M Performance’ range. They have been conceived to slot into their respective line-ups between the top-performing standard model and full-blown M model in terms of outright performance, dynamic ability, equipment levels and price. In the case of the M550d saloon, this is between the 550i and M5.

The new M-developed diesel engine comprehensively outguns BMW’s widely used twin-turbo 3.0-litre in-line six. It develops 376bhp between 4000 and 4400rpm and a sturdy 75.3kgm of torque from 2000 to 3000rpm.

These figures are 74bhp and 14.2kgm higher than those of the most powerful version of BMW’s existing twin-turbo 3.0-litre six, as fitted to the 740d, giving it a spectacular — by diesel standards — 126bhp and 25.1kgm per litre.

Although 176bhp shy of the M5’s twin-turbo 4.4-litre petrol V8, the M550d saloon boasts 6kgm more torque.

In each of the M Performance models, the new engine is mated to a beefed-up version of the existing eight-speed automatic gearbox and, for left-hand drive markets, a specially tuned version of BMW’s four-wheel drive system. Together, this set-up gives the M550d xDrive saloon 0-100kph acceleration of 4.7sec — just 0.3sec slower than the new M5.

Because of the M550d xDrive saloon and Touring’s lack of right-hand drive compatibility, UK versions will be rear-wheel drive only — resulting in what BMW insiders say is a “70kg reduction in kerb weight”.

This new range of BMW’s also come with EfficientDynamics fuel-saving features that include a stop-start function, brake energy recuperation and on-demand function for engine ancilliaries.

M division has also provided the M550d xDrive saloon, 550d xDrive Touring, X5 M50d and X6 M50d with unique steering ratios, chassis settings and, in some instances, chassis components conmensurate with their M-car siblings.

Each M Performance car will get subtle styling changes to differentiate them from their standard and M-car counterparts. The interior of each car has also been given the M treatment, with unique stainless steel sill plates, leather-bound dashboards and M-specific steering wheels and seats.

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Parx Super Car show 2012

INK Group presents Parx Super Car Show 2012, organized by the Super Car Club (SCC) in association with Autocar India, took off to a roaring start with excited Mumbaikars vying for a glimpse of the super cars displayed at Mahalaxmi Race Course. The auto beauties then paraded the city’s arterial streets, covering Bandra Worli Sea Link and the Western Express Highway amidst a round of applause from visitors at the show.


Gautam Singhania, Chairman & Managing Director of Raymond Ltd. and Founding Chairman of the SCC led the entourage of supercars. Trophies were handed over to the most desirable cars at the end of the show.

Valentino Balboni, former test-driver from Lamborghini was one of the guests present at the event.

The first-of-its-kind series of events in India, the Parx Super Car Show was first conceptualized and organized in April 2009 to enable auto enthusiasts and general public to view some of India’s best super cars, including multiple Ferrari 458 Italias , three Lamborghini Aventadors, Aston Martins, Numerous Porsches, the Ariel Atom, Bentleys, Rolls Royce’s, BMWs, Mercedes AMGs amongst others

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Parx Super car Parade is coming

It’s time for the fourth edition of the eagerly awaited Parx Super Car Parade, presented by the INK Group in association with Autocar India. This time, the event will be held in Mumbai on Sunday, January 22, 2012. Scores of super cars, like Ferraris, Lamborghinis, M-powered BMWs, Merc AMGs, Porsches, Maseratis, Bentleys and Rolls-Royces, will parade the streets of the city.

The Parade will be flagged off from Mahalaxmi Race Course at 10am sharp. You can catch these dreams on wheels pass by Nariman Point at around 10.15am, reach Teen Batti by 10.45am and head to Worli Sea Face by 11am. The cars will then drive up to the Domestic Airport Junction and return to the Race Course via the Bandra-Worli Sea Link.

Expect whoops, howls and blares from exhausts, full bore launches, the works – the Parx Super Car Parade has it all. Last year over 50 of the most exotic cars in the city collectively pumped out more than 22,000bhp, sending the crowds into a frenzy. This year, expect to see even more cars and a lot more horsepower!

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BMW launches M5 Sport saloon

BMW has launched its new M5 sports saloon at the 11th Auto Expo in New Delhi. Like all previous M5s, the new car's styling is subtle but aggressive in its details, most notably the lower air intakes – three gaping ducts to flow cool air into the radiator, oil cooler and turbochargers. 19-inch alloy wheels come as standard fitment.

The M5 features a twin-turbo, 4.4-litre V8 that offers 552bhp and 69.4kgm of max torque, and the sports saloon can hit 100kph in 4.4 seconds, and 200kph in 13sec (manufacturer’s claims). The new M5 gets a power boost of 10 percent and torque figures are up by 30 percent compared to the previous-generation, V10-powered E60 M5.

The transmission is a seven-speed, dual-clutch unit with steering-wheel-mounted paddle-shifters, which drives through a new Active M differential with electronically-controlled, multi-plate, limited-slip differential. Depending on the driving situation the diff can lock between 0 and 100 per cent, says BMW.

An M-specific chassis set-up includes M-tuned Servotronic steering, cockpit-adjustable dynamic damping and stability control with an ‘M Dynamic’ setting. Steering wheel buttons that can be programmed with chassis, engine and diff settings can now memorise two individual set-ups as compared to the single setting option on the earlier M Drive button.

The all-new BMW M5 has been priced at Rs 95.9 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi).

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Mini officially launched in India

Iconic British car-maker Mini has finally entered the Indian car market. The BMW-owned manufacturer will bring in four models, namely the Cooper, Cooper S, Cooper Convertible and Cooper S Countryman into India as completely built units (CBUs). The Mini range will be sold through three exclusive dealerships – Deutsche Motoren and Bird Automotive in New Delhi and Infinity Cars in Mumbai.

The Cooper hatchback is the most affordable car in the line-up. However, with an asking price of Rs 24.9 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi), the Cooper is by no means cheap. Styling harks back to the original design; it’s classic yet looks contemporary at the same time. There are plenty of retro touches inside the cabin as well such as the large circular dials for the speedometer and tachometer. While the Mini Cooper can seat four, its small dimensions and three-door body style make it a car best suited to two occupants. The Mini Cooper comes with a 1.6-litre petrol engine that is good for 122bhp at 6000rpm and 16.3kgm of torque at 4250rpm. Those wanting more power can opt for the Mini Cooper S that features the same engine but with a twin-scroll turbocharger. Power is 184bhp at 5500rpm while max torque of 24.47kgm is produced between 1600-5000rpm. The Mini Cooper S has been priced at Rs 27.9 lakh.

The third model in the Mini line-up is the Cooper Convertible. The convertible adds the joy of open-top motoring to typical Mini charm. But given India’s extreme weather conditions, the Convertible’s fabric roof could prove impractical. The Convertible comes powered by the same 1.6-litre, 122bhp petrol engine that does duty on the Mini Cooper.  Priced at Rs 29.99 lakh, the Cooper Convertible is still the cheapest convertible on sale in India today.

The Mini that makes most sense for India is the Cooper S Countryman. It features five doors with decent space for four occupants so it is sure to find favour with family buyers. Moreover, its raised ride height will do a better job at dealing with pothole-laden Indian roads. The Countryman costs Rs 31.99 lakh and uses a 184bhp 1.6-litre turbocharged engine.

Mini has not announced any plans yet of brining in its diesel powerplant, however the manufacturer has confirmed all India-bound cars will come with six-speed automatic transmissions.

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FIRST DRIVE New BMW 3-series review, test drive

Testing a mainstream production saloon on a Formula 1 race track doesn’t serve any real purpose except to tell you how quick you (and the car) really are. You don’t just cruise from apex to apex but end up driving the wheels off whatever you’re piloting. So the first couple of hot laps of the Catalunya circuit in Spain were enough to reveal how far forward BMW has taken the new 3-series’ driving dynamics and why it is still the master of the class.

The incredible chassis balance and the sheer fluency with which the new 3-series handles makes you flip for it instantly. It’s the delightfully neutral attitude through corners that makes the 3-series feel so special. Turn-in is deliciously sharp and the complete lack of understeer is just astonishing. With Sport+ mode selected, you can play with the throttle to tighten your line. And then there’s the steering. Unlike its predecessors, the new 3’s steering has a natural, fluid feel that is hard to associate with electrically powered units. It may not weigh up as much as you would like when you lean into corners but the delicate balance between effort and accuracy is what makes this steering truly brilliant.

But the true genius of the 3-series lies in its ability to mix sportiness and comfort in equal measure and without any compromise. And the key to this is actually a button which resides on the centre console. Standard on every new 3-series is the Driving Experience Control system — BMW-speak for a wide range of driving modes you can choose from. This system, though already available on the 5- and 7-series, is further enhanced for its 3-series debut by also offering an ‘Eco Pro’ mode, which tweaks the throttle map to eke out the best fuel economy.

The first thing that you become acutely aware of is the fantastic ride quality. Over uneven tarmac, in Comfort mode, the 3-series feels like its gliding, the quiet interiors adding to the almost eerie feeling. We are guessing this will be the default setting when it comes to India, but if you are fortunate enough to live in a place where the roads are open and good then the Sport and Sport+ modes are the ones to play with.

In Sport mode, the 3-series instantly feels more responsive. The steering, throttle and gearbox feel sharper and this sense is further enhanced in Sport+ mode, where the traction control switches to a more entertaining setting. What’s amazing is that, except over sharp ridges and bumps, the new 3-series is pretty comfy even in the stiffest Sport+ setting. The other revelation is the latest-generation run-flat tyres, which are no longer ride-corrupting, and this should finally silence the critics; us included.

BMW made available two of the four engine options at the International launch, and both of these are expected in India. The 320d gets the familiar 1995cc motor developing 181bhp from the previous 3-series, but it’s the 328i which gets an all-new, twin-scroll turbo, direct-injection petrol engine. This compact 2-litre, in-line four, replaces the naturally aspirated 3-litre, in-line six. It develops 242bhp, which means the 328i is marginally less powerful than the outgoing 330i, but it produces 16 percent more torque and being 45kg lighter, it’s actually quicker. Also a first on the 3-series is the same ZF eight-speed gearbox with paddle-shifters which debuted on the 5-series (though it was first seen on the 760Li), with an auto stop-start function as an option.

We first had a go in the 328i and immediately noticed there’s virtually no turbo lag. This engine pulls cleanly and hard from low revs and the quick-shifting eight-speeder complements the wide torque spread to give an instant burst of acceleration at any speed. In Sport and Sport+ mode, the transmission hangs onto lower gears much longer but even in the Comfort setting the brilliant engine-gearbox combo makes light work of any drive. If there’s a fault it’s the bland-sounding exhaust note and that ultimate creaminess at high revs you can only get with a six-cylinder. For that, you will have to wait for the 335i which will follow the 328i into India.

As you’d expect, the 320d is slower on paper than the 328i and this was most obvious on the Catalunya track. But on the road, the diesel 3-series packed quite a punch and the strong mid-range makes it feel more potent. At high revs the engine has that familiar gruffness and is not the most silent of diesels but that’s not to say the noise is obtrusive.

The cabin is also a step up from before with a noticeable increase in legroom at the rear and better overall comfort, but it doesn’t wow you like the rest of the car. Though the interiors have a sharper design and quality details abound, it has the same understated feel that is a bit too functional. The dashboard is more driver-oriented than before, with the centre console tilting slightly inwards, and there are lots of bits borrowed from the 5-series like the switchgear and other controls.

In fact, underpinning the brand new chassis is a lot of 5-series architecture. The 3-series gets double wishbones in the front for the first time and a multi-link Z-axle at the rear. The platform has also been engineered to accommodate four-wheel-drive variants.

If the way the 3-series drives doesn’t excite you enough then the styling certainly will. This sixth-generation (F30) 3-series is bigger and more muscular than before and you just can’t miss the distinctive bonnet that bulges forward, or the stunning headlights which extend inwards to meet the squat kidney grille. Double swage lines that run under the base of the window and along the door-handle line are another great piece of design detail. The rear looks more straightforward but the wider track gives it a nice, squat stance.

It was really hard to fault the new 3-series but a more critical evaluation can only be expected when the car hits Indian shores before the middle of 2012. For BMW’s rivals, that’s a breather they need to make the most of. For customers it’s time to muster the approximately Rs 26 lakh asking price for the base 320d or around Rs 35 lakh (both ex-showroom) if you fancy the top-spec 328i. This is one car that’s going to be hard to beat.

Fact File

Price Range (in lakhs)*

Ex-showroom price

Rs 35 lakh (petrol), 26 lakh (diesel) (est. ex-showroom)

Engine

Fuel	Petrol, diesel
Installation	Front, longitudinal, RWD
Power	242bhp at 5000-6500rpm (petrol), 181bhp at 4000rpm (diesel)
Torque	35.69kgm at 1250-4800rpm (petrol), 38.75kgm at 1750-2750rpm (diesel)

Transmission

Gearbox

8-speed automatic

Dimensions

Length	4624mm
Width	1811mm
Height	1429mm
Wheel base	2810mm
Boot volume	480 litres

Chassis & Body

Weight

1430kg (Petrol)/1430kg (Diesel)

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Auto Expo launch for new BMW M5

EXCLUSIVE!

BMW is all set to showcase its new M5 saloon at the 11th Auto Expo in January 2012.

Like all previous M5s, the new car's styling is subtle but aggressive in its details, most notably the lower air intakes – three gaping ducts to flow cool air into the radiator, oil cooler and turbochargers. 19-inch alloy wheels come as standard fitment.

The M5 features a twin-turbo, 4.4-litre V8 that offers 552bhp and 69.4kgm of max torque, and the sports saloon can hit 100kph in 4.4 seconds, and 200kph in 13sec (manufacturer’s claims).

The new M5 gets a power boost of 10 percent and torque figures are up by 30 percent compared to the previous-generation, V10-powered E60 M5.

The transmission is a seven-speed, dual-clutch unit with steering-wheel-mounted paddle-shifters, which drives through a new Active M differential with electronically-controlled, multi-plate, limited-slip differential. Depending on the driving situation the diff can lock between 0 and 100 per cent, says BMW.

An M-specific chassis set-up includes M-tuned Servotronic steering, cockpit-adjustable dynamic damping and stability control with an ‘M Dynamic’ setting.

Steering wheel buttons that can be programmed with chassis, engine and diff settings can now memorise two individual set-ups as compared to the single setting option on the earlier M Drive button.

The all-new BMW M5 will be priced at Rs 99 lakh (est. ex-showroom) and will be launched in India at the Auto Expo 2012.

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20,000th BMW rolls off the line

BMW India rolled out its 20,000th made-in-India car from its Chennai plant.

The BMW Plant in Chennai commenced operations on 29th March 2007, it produces the BMW 3- and 5-series saloons, the X1 and the X3 SUV’s. The BMW Group has invested Rs 1.1 billion in the project and it plans to increase its investment in India to Rs 1.8 billion by the end of 2012.

The German carmaker currently sells the 3-series, 5-series and 7-series luxury saloons in India, SUVs like the X1, X3, X5 and X6 and luxury sport and touring cars like the Z4 and the 6-series. Also on sale are BMW M division’s hi-performance cars such as the M3. It has recently forayed into the pre-owned car business in India and will also launch its MINI brand in the Indian market early next year.

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Work underway on new BMW R 1200 GS

BMW Motorrad is readying a major upgrade to its top-selling R 1200 GS adventure touring motorcycle, which is still as far away from launch as 2013.

The final GS is similar to the model illustrated here, and shall sport revised, modern styling with a sharper, more aggressive snout apart from other substantial cosmetic changes. Refreshed instruments and an altered, adjustable wind deflector will be a part of the new model, and you can expect a big jump up in features, apart from a bi-colour seat.

Amongst the more major changes will be the GS ditching its signature air-cooled engine for an all-new liquid-cooled, Boxer twin, with the driveshaft mounted on the left of the motorcycle, the opposite side as on the current model. Although engine capacity remains a question mark, the cylinder intake ports will come in from above instead of behind and the exhaust pipes will also have new routing.

The new go-anywhere GS can be expected to enjoy a host of electronic rider assist functions, including electronic suspension control, plus an ABS brake system, for which the new front brake calipers will be radial mounted. 

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