Bucket Seat: BMW Neue Klasse iX3

BMW presents the first series-produced Neue Klasse model. The new-generation BMW iX3 is a fully electric Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV) that gives customers their first on-the-road taste of a whole new era of Sheer Driving Pleasure. An all-new design language gives the car a character-rich appearance that faithfully conveys the technological progress made by the new model. With sixth-generation BMW eDrive technology, a range of up to 805 kilometres and a peak charging rate of 400 kW, the new BMW iX3 sets new standards for efficiency and long-distance capability. A new electronics and software architecture including four “superbrain” high-performance computers makes the first Neue Klasse model more intelligent and better equipped for the future than ever. The “Heart of Joy” drivetrain and driving dynamics management technology enables unmatched handling dynamism and precision, while the latest systems for automated driving optimise symbiotic human-vehicle interaction.

The sixth-generation BMW eDrive technology developed for the Neue Klasse comprises highly efficient electric motors, fundamentally new high-voltage batteries with cylindrical cells, and 800V technology. The BMW iX3 50 xDrive is powered by two electric motors, which together generate output of 345 kW and 645 Nm of torque. It accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.9 seconds and reaches a top speed of 210 km/h. Its electric all-wheel-drive configuration consists of an extensively upgraded electrically excited synchronous motor (EESM) with particularly high levels of efficiency at the rear axle and, at the front axle, a new asynchronous motor (ASM) distinguished by its compact design and high cost efficiency. The combination of EESM and ASM is evidence of the BMW Group’s commitment to technological neutrality within electric mobility as well. The drive technology developed for the Neue Klasse reduces energy losses by 40 per cent compared to fifth-generation BMW eDrive technology, weight by 10 per cent and manufacturing costs by 20 per cent.

The new high-voltage battery concept with cylindrical cells for the Neue Klasse also achieves significant advances. The energy density on a cell level is 20 per cent higher than with fifth-generation BMW eDrive technology, and the new concept also paves the way for a 30 per cent increase in charging speed. The cylindrical cells are integrated directly into the high-voltage battery (“cell to pack”), which benefits energy density and cost efficiency. Added to which, the high-voltage battery is integrated into the vehicle architecture as a structural component to minimise weight (“pack to open body”). The high-voltage battery in the BMW iX3 50 xDrive has a usable energy content of 108.7 kWh, enabling a range of up to 805 kilometres in the WLTP cycle.

The advances brought by sixth-generation BMW eDrive technology have a significant influence on the charging experience, too. A maximum charging rate of 400 kW enables users to fill their new BMW iX3 with enough energy at an 800V direct current (DC) rapid charging station to add up to 372 kilometres of range in just ten minutes. The high-voltage battery can charge from 10 to 80 per cent capacity in 21 minutes. Thanks to the battery management tech with integrated switching matrix developed completely in-house by the BMW Group, the new BMW iX3 can also be charged from 400V DC stations. Upgrades to the battery preparation also help to shorten charging times. The new BMW iX3 50 xDrive can top up on alternating current (AC) at 11 kW as standard or 22 kW as an option.

A variety of measures ensures that the product carbon footprint of the new BMW iX3 50 xDrive over its full life cycle – based on a mileage of 200,000 kilometres – is 34 per cent smaller than that of its predecessor. This means that, when charged with electricity from the European energy mix, it has a smaller product carbon footprint than a comparable combustion-engined (ICE) model after around 21,500 kilometres. When charged exclusively with electricity from renewable sources, the BMW iX3 50 xDrive beats the comparable ICE model after only 17,500 kilometres (WLTP combined), allowing customers to potentially achieve CO₂e advantages over the ICE model in as little as one year.

Bucket Seat: BMW M2 CS

Meet BMW's all new M2 CS, the sledgehammer!  First shown this week at the prestigious Concorso d'Eleganza  at Villa d'Este on the shores of Lake Como in Italy. A car show for those with a more refined taste in automobiles, one would hardly picture a CS owner in loafers, 3/4 chinos and bow tie sipping fine Champagne with carviar laced horderves but regardless, BMW always loves to challenge the norm and they did so with some fashion. The new BMW M2 CS further raises the bar for sheer driving pleasure at the premium end of the compact high-performance sports car segment. Outstanding agility, a significant increase in power output, supreme dynamics and particularly sporty design characteristics make driving the latest exclusive special-edition model from BMW M GmbH an enthralling experience. 

The new BMW M2 CS is based on the second generation of the BMW M2 and significantly improves what is already an extraordinary level of performance. For example, the high-revving six-cylinder in-line engine with M TwinPower Turbo technology develops an impressive 390 kW in the BMW M2 CS. That is 37 kW more than in the current BMW M2. As such, the BMW M2 CS matches the performance of the BMW M3 Competition Sedan with M xDrive and the BMW M4 Competition Coupé with M xDrive. The BMW M2 CS sends its power to the rear wheels via the eight-speed M Steptronic transmission with Drivelogic, which comes as standard.

For the BMW M2 CS, BMW M GmbH has opted for an upgraded version of the 3.0-litre, six-cylinder in-line engine found in the standard M2. This intensifies the performance experience in the special edition, particularly in highly dynamic driving situations. It further sharpens the engine’s unmistakable power characteristics and perfectly accentuates the linear power delivery – sustained into the higher reaches of the rev range – familiar from M models. Compared to the BMW M2 with standard eight-speed M Steptronic transmission with Drivelogic, maximum torque has been raised by 50 Nm to 650 Nm and is available across a broad rev range – between 2,650 and 5,730 rpm. The engine produces its maximum power output of 390 kW at 6,250 rpm, with the engine speed topping out at 7,200 rpm. In order to allow extremely rapid reactions to the driver’s requests for acceleration and to make the improved performance characteristics of the engine a particularly intense experience, the accelerator mapping and response have been optimised in all the drive modes, which are selectable via the M Setup menu.

A model-specific engine mounting with a higher spring rate makes for a particularly rigid connection of the drive unit to the structure of the BMW M2 CS. The extremely direct transmission of power to the drivetrain optimises response. Thanks to the lightning-fast power delivery, in combination with the increased engine power and the car’s lighter weight, the BMW M2 CS is able to break the four-second barrier for the sprint from 0 to 100 km/h. It’s time of 3.8 seconds is 0.2 seconds faster than for the standard M2. The figure calculated using the “1-foot rollout” method** is 3.5 seconds. The increase in power also enhances acceleration from rest to 200 km/h. The time required here is reduced by 1.2 seconds to 11.7 seconds – or 11.4 seconds according to the “1‑foot rollout” method**. The mid-range sprint from 80 to 120 km/h takes 3.4 seconds. The top speed of the special-edition model, which comes with the M Driver’s Package as standard, is electronically limited to 302 km/h. The dynamic power delivery is backed by an emotionally rich engine note conjured by the M-specific exhaust system with electrically controlled flaps and the four exhaust pipes typical of M, which come in matte black on the BMW M2 CS. For those wishing to retrofit their car, the M Performance silencer system with carbon and titanium tailpipe trims developed specifically for CS models is available for the first time in the range of M Performance Parts for the BMW M2 CS. The lightweight valve exhaust system with titanium mufflers generates a racing-car sound guaranteed to stir the emotions. The Active Sound Design helps to convey the engine’s soundtrack authentically inside the cabin, with the intensity raised another notch when SPORT or SPORT PLUS mode is selected using the Driving Experience Control switch.

The punchy exterior of the BMW M2 CS is shaped by many components made of carbon-fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP) and other exclusive details. As well as the M exterior mirror caps familiar from the BMW M2, the M Carbon roof – which comes as standard on the special-edition model – and CS-specific rear diffuser are also made from eye-catching exposed carbon fibre. A front splitter in matte black and an exclusive black BMW M kidney grille with optimised air inlets complete the sporty and dynamic look. The lightweight CFRP boot lid with integrated ducktail is a real head-turner. The “M2 CS” logo on the rear has a red outline. Four colours are available for the exterior finish of the new BMW M2 CS: Sapphire Black metallic, BMW Individual Velvet Blue metallic, M Brooklyn Grey metallic and M Portimao Blue metallic. Adaptive LED Headlights with BMW Selective Beam non-dazzling High Beam Assistant and M lights Shadowline with dark inlays are also standard.

The BMW M2 CS will be available locally in the second quarter of 2026, with pricing and number of models being announced closer to the time. 

Bucket Seat: BMW M3 CS Touring

The first ever BMW M3 CS Touring was unveiled this week, the track focused performance wagon is an upgrade from the first ever BMW M3 Touring model which took the world by storm two years ago. It still features that 3.0L six-cylinder, in-line, twin scroll turbo engine but its been beefed up to deliver 405kW and 650Nm of torque! Those absurd figures will either put an instant smile on your face or make you need a change of pants in the same time it takes it to go from 0-100km/h which it does in just 3.5 seconds. This is also a conservative number because we all know BMW understate its figures when launching their cars. The top speed of this special edition car is electronically limited to 300km/h in the M Drivers package, whether there will be another package that offers more, is yet to be seen. 

The car’s emotionally stirring engine note is the work of the M-specific exhaust system featuring electrically controlled flaps, a titanium rear silencer with weight-minimising design and – in customary M fashion – two pairs of tailpipes painted in matt Black. The engine’s acoustic presence varies according to the engine profile the driver selects from the M Setup menu. SPORT or SPORT+ mode produces a drive sound that injects real aural drama into proceedings, particularly through gear changes and the accompanying adjustments in rev speed.

BMW SA has confirmed that the car will be coming to South Africa in 2026, but there is no confirmed dates or number of units that would be available. This is a special edition model so we can expect a limited number of production units and could be sold on an auction process like previous CS models and which is probably why no pricing has been announced yet. 

Bucket Seat: BMW iX1 XDrive 30

Like it or not, electric cars are coming in thick and fast, the Eskom and load shedding jokes are getting boring on this topic as most charging station now have back-up power, also with mobile applications like Plug Share, you can see where your nearest fast chargers are and if they're occupied! As much as the purist denounce the EV, I am still of the opinion that the two can live simultaneously in harmony with each other. A few weeks ago I spent some time with BMW's latest fully electric offering, the new small SAV iX1 and testing it in probably the countries most toughest cities for an EV, Johannesburg. Talk about getting thrown in the deep end, but thankfully, having experienced EV's from it's pre-production inception till now, my range anxiety has managed to calm down a few notches to not have me sweat every time I see the range dip below 100km. The technology has advanced so much over the past 2 years, it's quite exciting to see what we will be getting in the coming years. Anyway, I'm not here to advocate for which type of car is better, I'm here to tell you about my experience with the iX1 so here it goes. 

DESIGN

The X1 is probably one of the best looking crossovers on the market at the moment, BMW have done a stellar job, both on the exterior design and the interior. It's the smallest in the X range but has that bold styling that still makes it stand out despite its small stature. The sharp lines, bold grille and intimidating headlights make the iX1 a stunner on the road. With the iX1 there are a few details that differ from the normal combustion version, for example the grille comes in the full plastic covering with no vents, but if spec'd in the M Sport package, you will get the normal grille with the slated vents, but there is no openings and just there for aesthetic purposes. Other difference would be the rims but this specific spec came with the M Sport style rims, there is also blue accents around the car, which just gives the indication that you are driving something from the i range. There are no exhaust pipes but the rear diffuser is designed as such to give the car a neat and stylish rear.  The interior is exactly like the normal X1, with BMW's new design language with the floating arm rest and that gives it that modern and ergonomic feel. The focal point would be the curved display that houses a split between the infotainment and instrument cluster but that will be discussed later in the review. 

PERFORMANCE

The iX1 comes powered with BMW's fifth generation EV drive, known as the eDrive 5.0. It has two electrically excited synchronous electric motors fitted to each axle making it all-wheel drive and hence getting that xDrive badge on the back. The e-Motor is capable of delivering 200kW with a max torque factor of 494Nm. This is all regulated via the various driving modes which is interchangeable by the driver depending on the type of drive they require. Obviously, the more output you want from the motor will equate in the more power consumed. I found that driving it in comfort mode was the best as it gave you a great mixture of power efficiency and performance. If there was a need to get a short burst of power, there is a single paddle shift behind the steering wheel on the left that serves as a boost function. In sport mode, the iX1 is capable of reaching 100km/h from a standing start in just 5.6 seconds with a top speed regulated at 180km/h. Now, electricity consumption, looking at the brochure, it will tell you that the iX1 averages 18.3kWh per 100km but what does that mean? I think its better I explain to you in range terms, a full charge will give you a range of 400km for average driving styles but as displayed on the instrument cluster, this range will vary and you could get up to a maximum of 450km from a single charge. The high-voltage 48V battery with recharging capabilities works like a dream on the car with it adapting well to any driving environment. Recouping energy on highway driving was what impressed me the most. Normally long distances on open road driving was frowned upon in EV's but with the iX1 I rarely noticed the drastic depletion in range and in some cases ended up gaining more range. So whether you're driving a total of 5km or 50km to get to work, chances are you're going to consume and generate the same percentage ratio of power to that you're consuming. 

CHARGING

I think a separate section on charging is required as I've had plenty of questions come in before on this topic. Yes, while it will take you maximum 10 minutes to fill up a combustion engine car at your fuel station, when it comes to electric cars its a little different  with charging times varying from 30 minutes to 4 hours at public chargers. I mentioned earlier about a mobile application called plugshare which basically gives you locations of various charging points, tells you what sort of chargers are present and if they are in use or not. The last part required the driver to "check-in" which I found was few and far times between, I'm guessing because this is still new to many and with the limited number of EV's on the road, there isn't a need right now to do so. I always found that when it comes to charging, its best to plan your charging trips, for example I only needed to charge the iX1 once, so I planned to meet a friend for coffee and quick catch up, I found a DC fast charging station that was convenient for the both of us to meet, got there, plugged it in and the car was done charging in 25 minutes! Most chargers are located in public spaces such as shopping malls, so many can integrate this into their shopping schedule or lunch plans, there wont be a need to sit and wait for your car to charge. Also, most of these charging spots have dedicated bays that are located close to entrances of the establishments so you have prime parking! The card that comes with the car can be loaded with credits to charge the car which still I'm told works out to cheaper than petrol per kilometer. The DC fast chargers do cost more to top up at than the regular AC chargers. The other option can be to charge at home which can be done via your normal 3-Pin socket but this takes up to 8 hours from 0-100%., if you get a 11kW wall box installed, this time drops to 2 hours. 

COMFORT

With the additional weight load of the batteries, you'd think it would make a difference to the ride quality but with the dual motor system and balancing from the overall design, you still get that famed 50/50 weight distribution that BMW have been renowned for. The car handles like a dream around bends and on the open road. The interior finished off in black leather was a decent contrast to the exterior white, but this combo might be boring for some, perhaps a change to a brown or mocha might stand out a bit more. Like most EV's, you have to get used to the silence from the drive, I find the additional engine noise through speakers in some other EV's being too gimmicky, which is why I'm glad BMW have embraced the change by not opting for that. Plus, the optional extra Harman Kardon sound system that the car came with was more than enough to keep the silence at bay. The infotainment comes with built in mobile apps which are accessed wireless but there are USB C charging ports available in the car for up to 4 devices. The car comes with all the creature comforts like the normal X1, from dual-zone climate control to the panoramic sunroof.  Was a bit disappointed that the driver seats was manually adjustable, would have expected for the price-tag that it would come with electric seats as standard but maybe it used too much battery power, I kid. The rear seats are spacious enough for two adults and the luggage space is a handy 491-litres and if need be the rear seats do fold down for additional loading requirements. 

VERDICT

The signs of progression in the electric car segment is positive and the iX1 is proof of this. Fitting in well with its environments and giving the driver a sense of confidence in doing extra distances without the fear of getting stuck with a flat battery or worrying where to charge it. Yes, with the prices starting at just north of R1,2 million, it is a tough pill to swallow but when you think about the fluctuation in fuel costs and basic maintenance in ICE cars, depending on the conditions, the EV could be the car just for you. If your daily commute to and from work is minimal and on the odd occasion you find yourself going on slightly longer drives, you could save a lot of money on fuel with a car like the iX1 and the good thing is you still have the space to do so. As we see brands adapt to the market, bringing in a bigger range of their EV's, we should start seeing healthy competition in this space with keener pricing. Apart from that, the ever growing network of charging facilities will grow as there will be a demand for this as well. Like I said at the beginning of this article, I think a world where EV and ICE can coexist in harmony, as technology in the EV segment continues to improve, this might see some house-holds phase out the latter, it all comes down to user preference. Either way, the future of motoring is exciting and dare I say, electric. 

SPECIFICATIONS

Motor	eDrive 5.0 M170SF
Gear Box	Single stroke
Torque	494Nm
Power	200kW
0-100km	5.6 seconds
Price	R1,205,000*

*base price

Bucket Seat: 2023 BMW X1 18d

BMW's entry level SUV the X1 had its 3rd generation introduced to the market at the end of last year, with the launch taking place earlier this year. Having attended the launch and sampling both, the petrol and diesel variants, I was quite impressed what it had to offer. The X1 hasn't been the best selling X model but it has its place in the market and with the previous generation made decent inroads in sales for its segment competition, I foresee a greater interest with this model as for me, the competition have been playing slack when it comes to the entry level models, cutting corners and not even giving the end user a premium product that is associated with the badge. After spending a week with the new X1, it really gave me a great impression of what the brand is doing as a whole with their new focus and trends on upcoming models. 

DESIGN

The new X1 looks stunning, while the previous models always had some err's about their design, I can honestly say this one is a beauty. My favourite angle to view it from is side on, while its not the biggest, the lines and curves give it so much presence that it looks bigger than it actually is. The front gets the new X look with larger twin kidney grille with is finished in brushed aluminium, this is standard across all lines, be it the M Sport, xLine or Signature trims. The one I had was in a metallic Utah Orange paint with 19-inch V-spoke Bicolour Black Grey, gloss lathed rims that really gave the car another dimension with the added detail. The new headlights straight edge angular that follow the lines of the front bumper and hood, with the adaptive LED matrix tech adding more detail with the upside down L shapes that feature the day time running lights on the car. Depending on the trim, the front diffuser changes to suit, with the xLine have a more pronounced curved styling with brushed aluminium accents and details which include a center skid plate in the front and rear of the car. These brush aluminium details also include side plates which give a tri-colour look to the side. I love the little things in the design of the new X1, the revised door handles which are blended in to the body, the new tail lights which have a really cool pattern embedded in them and way the roof line has that gentle gradient  just adds to the character of the X1. 

PERFORMANCE

While the badge read 18d, the X1 diesel is still powered by a 2.0-litre Turbo Charged diesel motor which produces 110kW and 360Nm of torque. For its size and weight, the motor propels the X1 off the line at quite a speed recording a 0-100km/h speed of 8.9 seconds. But performance on this type of vehicle doesn't mean its speed or how fast it can take a corner but rather pulling power with a load, fuel consumption and urban driving comforts which the X1 excels in every aspect. The urban consumption figures on the brochure read 4.5L per 100km but I managed to get around 5.6 which isn't terrible considering I was doing highway driving as well. With the 54-litre fuel tank, I managed to get just over 650km from a single tank of fuel. Even though the X1 in the xLine trim came fitted with 19-inch rims, the ride quality was very comfortable on any surface. The new design BMW steering wheel felt good in hand and general handling of the car was very good no matter the speed or surface you were traveling on. 

COMFORT

While the X1 has grown ever so slightly from its predecessor, it does feel a lot bigger with loads more head room. This coming from a tall person says a lot about the design of the interior from BMW. Speaking of which, it comes with the new styled interior which BMW will be rolling out in all of the X range. The X1 comes with the new curved screen dual display, as mentioned before, a new design steering wheel, a floating center console which doubles as an arm rest with hidden storage under the cushion. The center console also has the new mini gear selector and driving mode selector. Under the floating arm rest is more storage as well as USB ports. The X1 has dual zone climate control for the driver and passengers.  The rear passenger seats receive a new design which make it much more comfortable for 3 people to sit on the semi bench styled seat with a 40:20:40 split for the extension of the luggage hole. The modern design in the cabin extends to even the door panels with edgy designs that is contrasted in various materials from aluminium, plastic, leather and suede. It really adds great dimension to the overall look of the interior. The car comes with wireless connectivity for mobile apps which set up automatically once the bluetooth is activated giving you seamless integration. If you prefer to use the normal BMW OS, you'll be please to know that you will be receiving the latest version of it and with the ease of reach from the drivers seat, the infotainment screen is fully touch screen and there is no iDrive jog shuttle controls for it. The new BMW Maps with Connected navigation has Augmented Reality directions so it displays arrows when you need to take a turn or off ramp. 

VERDICT

The BMW X1 is feature packed in terms of tech and safety, with its modern and stylish looks along with the host of textures, trims and rims to choose from, you can really spec your desired one to be totally different from the next. The overall driving experience is a good one, it feels like a better build that most of the other competitors in the market. I know this car is newly launched but it just feels mile a head of the rest and that should be the case, as its setting the standard for compact SUV's and BMW were the first to introduce this size to the market. While you won't get the same sporty performance type drive of a normal BMW, the X1 does well to fit into its roll as a family orientated recreational vehicle that is also super good to look at. 

SPECIFICATIONS

Engine	2-litre, 3-cylinder  Turbo Diesel
Gear Box	Steptronic with double clutch
Torque	360Nm
Power	110W
0-100km/h	8.9 seconds
Price	R805,616.50*

*base price with xLine Trim

 

Bucket Seat: BMW M340i LCI

You know that slogan from that chip company who make potato chips that come in a can? "Once you pop, you can't stop?" Yeah, well that's the only thing than I can describe the feeling of driving the new BMW M340i LCI, because it has its on pops coming from the large dual tail pipes and the power drive is so addictive, ever since I got behind the wheel of it in March for the local launch, I was waiting like a little kid on Christmas to drive it again! So when BMW dropped it off over the Easter weekend for me to play with, I wasn't bothered about Easter eggs and hot cross buns, I was more interested in putting pedal to the metal in this bad boy! Many call it a mini "M3" and while it does don the "M" badge and is considered to be part of the M Performance stable, it still has its limitations or should I rather say, it's restrictions to not make it too much of a competitor to the pure M3 model but it still delivers tonnes of fun and performance to put a smile on any motoring enthusiast, read more on my time with BMW M340i LCI as I discover what exactly has changed since its pre-facelift model. 

DESIGN

Big talk comes in when it comes to face-lifts and how brands make the cosmetic changes to persuade owners of the first generation models to want to trade-in their older models for this one and to their credit, BMW have always hit the nail on the head with their Life Cycle Impulse models as they like to call. Unlike previous 3 Series, the LCI only comes in two packages, namely Sport and M Sport, with the M340i only available in the M Sport guise. Subtle but big differences come in to the design of the BMW 3 Series LCI, with the trademark kidney grille becoming narrower and wider, as with most new models, this is an active grille which opens and closes when required, this also comes with a silver horizontal style hatch to emphasize the sporty nature of the car. The new front headlamps are also more sleeker with an upside down L directional style LED daytime running lights. The bottom bumper/ diffuser also gets a sporty look with a more larger air in-take for the radiator and more angular shape side intakes which follow the profile of the car to give it a more dramatic look. The side profile of the car remains largely the same with new rim options available to choose from, this model featuring the 19-inch double spoke bicolour jet black rim. Moving to the rear end, the tail lights get the top part of it smoked now with the major difference to the bottom bumper that has a large black style difusser with more angles and lines to make the car look mighty aggressive from the back. Being the range topping M340i, the car has larger dual trapezoidal type exhaust over the conventional round tailpipes found on the rest of the 3 Series LCI range. The interior remains mostly the same as the older model with two very distinct differences, that being the new large curved display which integrates the instrument cluster with the infotainment screen and the new gear selector, which I will touch on later on in the blog. 

PERFORMANCE

Powered by the famed B58 motor which is a 3.0-litre, 6 cylinder TwinPower Turbo that produces 285kW and 500Nm of torque, the car certainly doesn't lack power and when Sport + mode is engaged, it really brings out the true beast of this car. The growls from the motor is invigorating to say the least, couple that with the smooth driving  feel with extra grip from the xDrive, BMW really have something special here. I think this motor, while being used on a number of models in the range is best suited to this chassis, almost feels purpose built for it as with the weight and size makes it feel balanced. While it does weight a bit more than the M240i and the Z4 M30i, the M340i still produces a respectable 0-100km/h time of just 4.3 seconds. the Sport Automatic transmission works like a dream in this car, with the flappy paddles behind the steering working well when called into duty. Depending on your driving style, it can get very thirsty while on the road, with Eco Pro mode keeping things tidy in terms of fuel efficiency but with me only have 7 days with the car, I don't think I took it off Sport + mode hence giving me an average fuel consumption of about 15.2L per 100km, although the brochure says it does average 8L per 100km, we will have to just take their word for it. Big brakes in the front and back help with the stopping power of this car, it has collision detection which warns you first before engaging the auto brake should you not head its request. 

COMFORT

Stepping inside the new 3 Series LCI makes you feel like you're inside a fancy command center with BMWs new curved screen display. It's part of their new design language which see's all models adapt this feature. While it being one solid component there is a break between the infotainment screen and the driver instrument cluster. This is around where the steering wheel is so it makes sense to not have something blocked out by the wheel. The infotainment screen is touch screen but can also be navigated from the iDrive jog shuttle drive. The new BMW OS is pretty easy to use, via both the jog shuttle and touch screen. It features wireless mobile app connectivity which displays it nice and big on the screen. The vehicle info and other features are pretty easy to find and while BMW have done away with conventional climate control knobs and buttons, and have them integrated into the screen, it isn't as annoying as some other brands who have done the same and it works very well. The car has a 3-zone system for the driver, front passenger and rear occupants having their own controls. The car has electric adjustable seats for the driver and front passenger with the now, much controversial decision of having seat heating as a payable subscription. The car came loaded with a host of optional extras, most of which I am favoured to, I've spoke endless about the adaptive LED lights before and BMW have made them better in this model, what makes you tell them apart from the regular LED is the blue light it has at the bottom. Harman Kardon sound system always impresses me, would have liked to see a B&O option for this model seeing it is a range topping model but the H/K works. The rear occupants have enough space and comfortable leather seats. The luggage capacity is pretty generous as well with me fitting two golf bags comfortably without having to drop the seats. Ride quality is pretty decent as well, considering its sitting on 19-inch rims with low profile tyres and M tech suspension. 

VERDICT

Overall, the M340i to me is the perfect package, a family size sedan that offers a spacious and comfortable interior with plentiful luggage space with an engine that delivers optimal performance for those who like to live life in the fast lane. While some might say the power is an overkill but I disagree wholeheartedly, people who drive BMW's love performance and that is the reason they are drawn to the brand. Giving someone the option to have a 3 Series with the performance that could rival some of the other brands performance models on the market is a genius trick and this one being almost R700,000 cheaper than its bigger brother makes it a no brainer for some. It's a great looking car, with loads of new tech loaded as standard from BMW, a host of safety features for the driver and its occupants and it's just such a great car to drive, be it short stints or long distances, the nice thing is that every now and then when you want to go full send with it, it has the option for you to do so. With the cars computer based traction control and stability control, along with the xDrive system you always have peace of mind when doing so. Apart from the 320d as based purely on a financial basis being my favourite 3 Series, if money was not an option, my pick would definitely be this, the M340i. 

SPECIFICATIONS

Engine	3-litre, 6-cylinder Twin Power Turbo
Gear Box	Sport Automatic
Torque	500Nm
Power	285W
0-100km/h	4.3 seconds
Price	R1,363,206.60

*base price