Bavaria Takes on the Cute Ute Market
BMW's entry into the small sport utility market is the new X1, a vehicle recognizable instantly as a BMW, which should come as a relief to BMW fans around the world. It's all BMW, too, but smaller and more affordable than the company's established X3 and X5 SUV's.
The X1 isn't meant for serious off-roading, but its competition isn't either, really. It should be fine in normal mud and snow, however, its rear-biased all wheel drive coming in handy when the roads get lousy. Available in Canada only as a turbocharged two liter four cylinder version, its engine is rated at 241 horses @ 5,500 rpm with torque of 258 @ 1,250 revs. That may not seem like a lot, but it was plenty for the sample X1 BMW provided to get around handily in our winter driving test. more...
BMW X5 - Activity Utility
BMW's big "SAV", the X5 has just received a makeover, moving the vehicle up and out in size and capabilities – and utility. The X5 has grown in length and width, allowing BMW to now offer an optional third row of seats; yet to look at the X5 casually it doesn't appear that much different from the original model.
My tester had the 3.0 liter dual overhead cam (DOHC), 24-valve inline 260-horsepower 6-cylinder engine, with BMW's Valvetronic and Double-VANOS steplessly variable valve timing. It's rated at 260 horses at 6600 rpm and 225 lb-ft of torque at 2750. more...
BMW 3 Series Coupe - a Turbocharged Turn-on
It's been a while since anyone referred to a BMW as being drop-dead gorgeous, but one look at the 335i coupe shows the German automaker hasn't lost its ability to design a real looker.
BMW has taken its share of abuse over the past few years for the overall "rumpiness" of its current generation 7 and 5 series sedans; even the otherwise lovely 3 series sedan's weakest link is its rear end, though it's the best of the bunch. But this new sedan is even better: it's low, long, sleek, and just plain beautiful from stem to stern and beam to beam. Even its bum!
And, even more important, it's an exhilarating car to drive! more...
BMW
5 Series Wagon – Hauling more than Your Stuff
BMW doesn't appear prone to the "middle child blues." And
that's good news for drivers!
Middle children, according to popular myth, are often the
most unhappy of a family's siblings. They struggle for recognition,
overshadowed by the eldest child's maturity and experience,
while competing for attention from parents forced to concentrate
on the youngest child's often more pressing needs.
Not so for BMW's middle child sedan, however. more...
Lots
of "Whee" from BMW's 3
New 3 an Ultimate Drive
BMW's 3 series is living proof that the
company's slogan "the ultimate driving machine" isn't just
hype.
Not only that but, except for its tail light design, the newest
version of the 3 has managed to avoid the controversial dumpy
rumpiness of recent BMW exteriors, as exemplified by the
current 5 series sedan and the first iteration of the current
7.
For what more could anyone ask? more...
BMW 750Li
Luxury, Indeed
BMW took its share of abuse from some reviewers when it
unveiled its current generation 7 series a few years back.
The car, which in its previous “in-car-nation” had
been quite a handsome set of wheels, suddenly became dumpy
and awkward-looking, with a face and a butt only its designer
could love. And inside, its new iDrive system integrated
far too many functions into an ultra high tech but ultimately
frustrating interface.
Since then BMW has worked to make the car more attractive
and, at least as far as the exterior is concerned, has succeeded
very well. And the iDrive system is apparently much better
than it was originally – though if my experience during
a week of driving the big Bimmer is indicative, it may be
best if the company would go back to traditional buttons
and knobs. more...
MINI
COOPER S
Mini car - Maxi fun!
It may be called a Mini, but the driving pleasure is nothing
short of Maxi.
This flatulent little road rocket provided the most fun I’ve had
behind the wheel in quite a while, is cute as a bug’s ear and can
actually seat four people in a pinch – no pun intended.
When BMW brought back the long dead Austin Mini a few years ago, they
weren’t just joining the retro car fad; they were exhuming an innovative
little car that started a revolution with its transversely-mounted engine
and front wheel drive configuration. Its low weight, low center of gravity
and delightful power to weight ratio made it a favorite at race tracks
and rallies, as well as in the daily commute.
The new Mini takes that revered base and builds it into a modern car
that brings the joy of the old Mini back and is surprisingly
practical if you aren’t hauling sheets of plywood. more....
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