Bucket Seat: BMW 640d Gran Coupe

BMW first introduced their "Gran Coupe" in the 6 series variant, the 6 series was a purpose made sports coupe, do at the time people thought a 4 door version of the super saloon would be cool, and I was one of them. But my obsession with the 6 series Gran Coupe was more than just the thought of it being cool, for me the car showed BMW's intent on making a statement. The 6 Series was by far one of the most luxurious Coupes on the market and with it's radical styling, one that got you noticed wherever you may go. With it's large headlights, protruding kidney grille in front of that long bonnet, it really looked sleek. 

With the Gran Coupe being launched, it wasn't just about adding 2 extra doors, there was the whole sports limousine feel to the car. Yes while the car remained a drivers car, with it's coupe like stature, the occupants at the back could sit in comfort with a variety of options offered to them in the car. Being a Coupe, the car comes in a 2+2 configuration, which basically means, 2 seats in the front and 2 seats in the back, the center console for the back passengers houses the controls for their own dual climate control, which means the car has 4 aircon zones, one for each passenger. 

Style

I could really go on all day about the styling of this car, the original 6 Series which got a lot of flack since it was one the brain child designs of controversial designer Chris Bangle, but for me it gave birth to something special in BMW history, it steered the design path of the company into a new direction and from that car, the new 6 Series adapted many of the styling but with bolder detailing and sharper edges. The car still maintains that coupe like shape, albeit a bit longer, the large wheels give that sporty and aggressive look, even though the car I had came in the luxury kit. The large flared bumpers, finished off in the back with twin chrome tail pipes just added the finishing touches to this brilliant piece of moving art.

Performance

Where do I start? Okay lets chat about the engine, yes the badge does say 640d but lets not get ahead of ourselves, it is a 3 litre twin power turbo diesel engine but we all know what power BMW generates from them. 230kW and 630Nm of torque! With that car weighing close to 2 tons, all that torque comes in handy, but it still lacks in take off as the turbo lag really is quite evident when driving in Comfort setting. Switch over to Sport or Sport+ and that problem is non existent but then you unleash a whole lot of mayhem! Tyres spinning, the most beautiful noise you have ever heard from a diesel engine, with the deep hum and then the torque thrusting you back into your exclusive nappa leather seats. The engine keeps delivering the more you ask of it and it's actually quite scary how it builds up speed. Being a big car and rear wheel drive, the back does get slippery when taking bends and throwing down the hammer, so that's one to be-careful of, but if executed properly it is proper fun!

Comfort

While with the car, someone asked me how would I describe the comfort of this car, yes it's much lower than most of BMW's high end saloons but it's keeping to it's Coupe heritage and you can understand why the Germans opted for it to be like this but it doesn't hamper the ride quality at all and if one had to compare it to any other model in the BMW stable, I would say it's in the same league as it's bigger brother the 7, which ultimately what the 6 is based on, it's the 2 door version of the 7 and not the 5 as many might think so. The car is also loaded with tech, as mentioned before, the quad zone aircon, there is also heated seat option for the passengers, a full glass moonroof with just a tilt function and memory seats. The rear passengers have sufficient space and the limousine feel is completed with electronic blinds for each of them at the back.

Storage
Even though it's a coupe, don't be fooled, there is plenty space for you to store your stuff. From the interior cubby, to the split door center console opening, which is large enough to store a lot of things. The boot space is huge, large eought to store your holiday luggage and it has a peep hole type of door to gain access to it from the back seats.

Extras

I hope you're sitting down and reading this because you might fall if you're not, the car came loaded with extras, R300K worth of them! Yes, that is a lot but if you are someone who's spending this type of money on a car, trust me, every single one is worth it. The one that stood out for me was the Bang & Olufsen high end surround sound system. My god, it's like having symphony orchestra in your car. Sound quality bar none, it truly is magic to your ears. Another cool extra is the park assist, which essentially parks the car for you, yes it's available on many other models but when in the 6 GC, I think you're going to need this one. Since you're sitting much lower, and with the long bonnet, the cameras and PDC's will help you only so much when getting in and out of tricky parking spots, this on the other hand does it for you. Other handy extras are the Adaptive LED's, Active Steering control, BMW Connected Drive, Lane Assist, High Beam Assist and Soft close for the doors seeing that they are frameless, you don't want anyone slamming them shut. 

Verdict
Yes, the price tag for this car is heafty but if you look at the car you getting for the price you pay, very little comes into comparisn. The touches and finishes are nothing short of sublime and the car oozes luxury and sportiness in every aspect of it's nature. It can change from being a cruiser to an agressive tarmac munching machine. So in essencee it offers the best of both worlds and with the diesel engine, one can experience great fuel economy. For me, even before driving the car, this was my favourite car offered in the SA market and after driving it, it just validated this point for me. 

Specifications

• 3 litre, 6 cylinder TwinPower Turbo
• 8 speed steptronic automatic gear box
• 230kW
• 630Nm torque
• Consumption: 5,5ltr/ 100km
• Top Speed: 250kph
• 0-100kph: 4.9 seconds 
• Price: R1 182 500 (excluding extras) R 1 406 017 (including extras)

Bucket Seat: BMW 320d & 318i

Late last year BMW released their face lift to their 3 Series, it was an important milestone for the company as it marked the 40th year of production for the popular sedan as explained in my review of the 320i. Although not much was revised in terms of styling of the cars, 90% of the range received brand new engines and of this I spoke very highly about the 320i, I fell in love with that over the 7 days I had it, it honestly seemed like the perfect fit for my life and driving style. This year however I was given two other variants that got me thinking and could eventually sway may decision.

I got a call in the second week of the year, the BMW 320d and 318i were both available for test, of course I said yes to both. On one had you got the intro level diesel engine and the other, the much talked about 1,5ltr engine that had everyone raving about. The 3 Series is BMW's money maker, it's the most sold in volume and iconic in it's very own right as it was for most part of it's 40 years the entry level range to the German Motor manufacturers stable, so it was good to see that the latest variant was living up to the values of its predecessors.

Style

320d - First up, the 320d rolled in for a week, the colour, Jatoba Metallic which was a brownish, charcoal colour with a full creme interior that matched it to perfection. The car sporting the Luxury package with high gloss wood finishes, chrome edges and elegant  smoked 17" rims made it look like a proper luxury saloon. That's the thing with BMW, yes the optional extra list can go a bit but you can customise your car so well with it. Making your own unique and to your taste.

318i - In what was almost a spitting image of the 320d I had the week before, the 318i was almost exactly the same. The differences came with the rims and of course, single exhaust pipe as the diesel model had twin. The rims being the standard alloy colour didn't suit the colour as well as the smoked rims did, so that took me a while to get used to. Other than that, the car looked immaculate.

Comfort

Going inside the car, the colour combinations of dark wood and creme leather and carpets was pleasing on the eye. The ride quality on the 320d and 318i were no different to that of the 320i I had last year. For a sedan aimed at the working class market, buyers of the car are getting premium finishes that one can also find in the 6 or 7 series. That's what I like about BMW, no matter the model, there is a consistency in quality that you won't find in other manufacturers. Same goes for ride quality, as it's unparalleled to its competitors but maintained throughout the range.

Performance

320d - the 2ltr 140kw diesel engine was impressive in terms of power and performance, plenty of torque with minimal turbo lag from the Twin Power turbo plant. Improved fuel economy which saw it's average consumption dropped to 4.0 ltr per 100km in ideal conditions, I managed 6.3ltr per 100km and I'm sure I could get it down to 5 if I drove it diligently but with all that torque, it would have seemed a waste to do so.

318i - While engine used in this car is shared with a Mini Cooper, don't be fooled by what it can do. Yes it is a bit sluggish on take off but it more than makes up for it when you on the road as it picks up paces quite quickly after passing 60kph. I was very impressed with the pulling power and the way it managed to carry the heavy body of the car even with a full load of passengers. I had the standard automatic gear box with this one and normally I do feel the ratio's and timings are poor with it but they seemed to have fixed that issue, so no unnecessary high revving and wasting fuel, which ultimately does wonders for its consumption.

Driving

320d - Honestly, driving both cars was a pleasure but with obvious reasoning the 320d did offer the better drive. It was more responsive on acceleration thanks to the torque, more faster but even though the engine has been refined, the sound is unmistakably diesel. It doesn't bother me at all but for many this hinders their choice in purchasing diesel. For me the cost savings speak for itself. Diesel is many places is cheaper than petrol and it doubles your range than what you would get in a petrol engine of the same capacity.

318i - While it did lack power at times, I can't fault the driving experience in the 318i. I was really impressed by by this car. As said before, the engine is more than capable to haul this big sedan around with ease and without using more fuel which is an added bonus. I was told that due to the coastal conditions that this car will perform even better than it would in higher altitude, so you have to take that into consideration as well. 

Extras

Both cars came loaded with the best that the 3 series range had to offer, the lighting package really makes the car look stunning at night with welcome lights below the door handles. The camera package is becoming more and more essential to my needs with the car, not that it makes you lazy when it comes to parking but it provides you with a view of things you wouldn't normally see from your mirrors. If you want to be lazy you can always opt for the park assist feature which firstly scans for an appropriate parking spot then parks your car for you! Other extra's included the Harman Kardon hifi sound system with stereo 7 logic and one extra which I love, the adaptive LED headlights. 

Verdict

Overall after driving both engines, I can't say which one is better as they both have that charm about them and of course their use for a driver. the 318i is perfect for your daily run around, whether its to work or picking up the kids from school and running errands whilst the 320d is great for that was well but on long distance travels it really shows it's class with great speed and even better fuel consumption. If I had to choose, it would be the 320d, it suits my driving style and lifestyle. It's a cruise but packs that punch should you want to open it up a bit every now and then. 

Specifications

	318i	320d
Engine	1.5 Twin Power Turbo	2.0 Twin Power Turbo
Gear box	8 Speed Automatic Steptronic	8 Speed Automatic Sports Steptronic
Power	100kW	140kW
Torque	220Nm	400Nm
Fuel consumption	5.1l per 100km	4.0l per 100km
Top Speed	210kph	235kph
0-100kph	8.9 seconds	7.3 seconds
Price	R464 100	R519 200

Bucket Seat: BMW 7 Series - First Impressions

This past Friday I was invited to the dealer launch of the new G11 and G12 models from BMW, also know as the new 7 Series at BMW Supertech. It issues a new line of luxury from the German manufacturer as this is their flagship range, competing with the best on the market. The event which took place at BMW Supertech's showroom in Durban was a glitzy affair, the theme being black tie, and a guest list of their most valuble clients and prostective buyers, everyone was dressed to impress. 

Upon arrival, guests were chauffeur driven from the parking area to the main entrance, where they were greeted by members of the dealership. Coffee and light refreshments were served in the showroom whilst we waited for everyone on to arrive, giving people the chance to see some of the stunning cars on display, most popular being the BMW i8 and the note worthy dedicated M display. Once everyone was present it was time to get formalities under way. 

Speakers for the night included BMW Supertech Brand Ambassodor, Jayaloshni Naidoo, Director Shabir Tayob and Customer relations and marketing manager, Yusuf Mooolla. Supertech has a long illustrious reputation and to date is one of the biggest BMW dealerships in South Africa and the only one that has managed to achieve a 4 star as built Greenstar rating, awarded to it by the GBCSA. It shows that they also very environmentally conscious and aiding a green future. 

Much was said about the new 7 series during the speeches, the thing that gets your attention the most about this car is the technology that BMW have managed to put into the car. The key for example, has an LCD screen which displays vital information about the car, like it's fuel range, tyre pressure, preconditioning controls and can also control the car! Yes, you can start and move the car with the remote, this feature was introduced mostly for tight parking spots, where the driver could get out of the car and still manage to park it just by using the remote. I know, it might be worrying for some as you fear you might hit something but with the cars park distance sensors, it would be able to stop the car if there were any obstacles that you cannot see. 

After enjoying our delicious starters it was finally time to see the new 7 Series in the metal, well carbon fiber. Yes the body of the car is made up of light weight, extra strength special weave of carbon fiber. This aiding the car to be more aerodynamic and fuel efficient. A grand entrance of laser lights and smoke greeted the 7 Series as it made its way to the center of the room for the audience to get a first glimpse at this magnificent vehicle. Having seen it in pictures before, did no justice to the car, it is simply stunning in every angle you look at. Yes, whilst I must admit the design isn't that much different from it's predecessor, it's the subtle changes to the design that make it stand out. 

Moving onto the inside, it's almost like being in a car of the future, with a large touch screen display, digital instrument cluster and handcrafted leather steering wheel, it certainly does give a new meaning to quality and comfort. The new i Drive and Connected drive interface now also makes use of hand gestures so one does not have to manually operate the dial, simple hand movements can change the radio station, increase the fan speed on the airconditioning or answer a telephone call. The 7 Series aircon also includes an air ionizer, which purifies the air eleminates any nasty odour that may enter the cabin. 

Moving to the back, perspective buyers of the car can opt for the limo set up with entertainment package for the back passengers, this includes a removable tablet that controls their climate control aircon as well as two large LCD screens that are mounted onto the front seats. There are options for seat heating and cooling as well as massaging for when you've had a long day. 

Overall first impressions of this car is nothing short of amazing, I'm blown away by the technology that BMW have included in this car and the things that come standard in most models is such a bonus. I've yet to drive it but from what I've seen so far I am seriously impressed, it's certainly a car that exudes class, sophistication and luxury into one. Certainly one to make their competitors ponder on.

For more informtation on BMW Supertech, visit their website or social media streams:

Website: www.bmw-supertech.co.za

Twitter: @SupertechDurban

Facebook: SupertechDurban

Or visit them at 8 Cliff Cresent (Off Edwinswales), Rossburgh.

Bucket Seat: 2015 BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe

Yes I know the entire 6 Series line up has been revised but if you have been following me, you would know that there is only one variant in the range that catches my eye. In fact I think its the best looking BMW in production at the moment, yes even better than the i8 for me and that is the 6 Series Gran Coupe. 

Not sure why but it brings the best of a few worlds for me and combines it into a car that has everything. The sweeping coupe design gives it that sporty look with the elongated wheel base and two extra doors making it look like a super saloon. The car can be viewed in many lights, depending on the options you go for and that's what I like about it. 

The interior is the right mixture of modern, luxury and style, and even though you want to be in the drivers seat of the car, the back seats look equally welcoming as one could be driven around in something so elegant. Anyway, the revised model is out and should be hitting SA shores soon with subtle design changes which include new headlights, tail lights, new grille and front air in take and diffuser. It still is a beautiful looking car and if I had the cash, it would be in my garage already. 

Bucket Seat: BMW Vision Future Luxury Concept

The BMW Vision Future Luxury Concept was unveiled this week at the Beijing International Motorshow. That's a long name for a car, thankfully it is just a concept so if and when it does go into production, it will be shortened and given a number. Most people in the industry have already tipped it to take on the 7 badge and with good reason too. The 7 series has always been the pinnacle of BMW's design philosophy, with it leading the way in design changes that from there gets passed onto the other cars in the stable. 

To be honest this car took most by surprised, BMW did well to keep it under wraps with the odd spy shot being captured now and then, maybe all their other new models were distracting us? Whatever the case is, they did a blody good job on this one. When it comes to big luxury sedans, there are really only two and with Mercedes Benz already throwing down the gauntlet with their all new jaw dropping S-Class, BMW had to step up to the mark to match their German rivals. From what we're seeing in the VFLC (I'm calling it that for short) ,they're certainly up for the challenge as in previous models one always felt that the 7 series lacked something when coming up against the S-Class. 

Bare in mind this is just a concept so expect some major changes to the production model, so the fancy lights could be changed to the more used xenon/ led option and those suicide doors might be swapped for the more conventional type doors. Interior wise, the seats will probably have more bulk and as much as I want the Starship Enterprise set up for the driver it will be toned down due to cost purposes. 

Overall I think BMW have got a true contender here, it's massive wheel arches and wide stance just makes it look like it's the business. I could go on with the stuff given in the press release but one really just has to look at it to understand what went into this vehicle during design and conception. It would be wrong to say it is "simply stunning" because there is nothing simple about it, so I'm going to go with "sophisticatedly stunning".