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As if to prove her point, BMW has been bringing in several of its exotics. Alas, they were for looking and touching only, but not for driving. First to arrive was the 400-bhp, Porsche 911 and even Ferrari 360-clobbering M5. Then came James Bond’s latest toy herself, no, not Pussy Galore—the Z8. The Z8 looks retro, but all the technology underneath, including the V8 shared with the M5, is all thoroughly modern. (More of the Z8 in our photo essay.) Guess Who's Coming The 3 may just have been launched here, but a facelifted one is already set to debut. The updated version features even beadier eyes, contributing to a overall meaner glare. It does look make the 3 look even more aggressive, and should boost its sporty image no end. The only 3 that’s absent here is the 3 Compact—the hatchback. The new Compact shuns the inferior rear suspension design of the old model and now shares the rear Z-axle of the sedan. This should pay off well in ride and handling. Smaller even that the 3 Compact is the German in British clothes : the Mini. The Mini is essentially a 1-series BMW, with styling evocative of the 1959 original with 21st century materials and assembly precision. Nothing is sure for now, but we’re hoping to see the Mini arrive here in 2002. A sure arrival is the X5, the 4x4 “Sport Activity Vehicle” based on the 5-series chassis. It may not be as voluminous as your typical full-sized SUV, but it will surely outsteer and outhandle all of them, including the M-class. The X slated to come here is the 3.0-liter diesel. Don’t start thinking slow and smoky, though. The new diesels from BMW and other Euro carmakers are state of the art, replete with turbochargers and direct injection, supplied by very-high-pressure fuel systems. These ensure minimal noise and emissions, and huge amounts of torque at low rpm. The X5 diesel, for instance, generates 193 bhp and can propel the X5 from 0-100 km/h in about 9 seconds. The cheaper cost of diesel fuel won’t save you enough to recoup the approximately 4 million peso price tag (about USD 75,500), but at least the fuel bill will stay reasonable. Having been out-classed (out-S-classed, that is) by main rival Mercedes, the 7 series is set for a strong return to top form by 2002. The 7’s profile is a sharp-looking counterpoint to the smoothly sloping S. It’s distinctly angular, and a classy interpretation of the traditional BMW profile, with the trademark dogleg rear door opening. The engine will probably be the 4.4 liter V8, pumping out 330 bhp, or the 3.0 liter turbodiesel. We probably will not be treated to the 400- bhp 6.0 V12 in our parts. For the first time, a BMW car will not have an available manual transmission. BMW is instead relying on the world’s first 6-speed automatic, manufactured by ZF, to be adequate for any driving requirements. Expect McPherson strut fronts and multi-link self-leveling rear air suspension. |
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