Looker of a coupe heralds opening of 8th dealership

THE FANTASTIC four-seat coupe

Can it be the cream of the Bavarian crop? BMW, widely known for producing premium sports cars, gets “even” this year as it brings to the Philippines its much-talked-about, punchy but fuel-miser coupe 420d.

Asian Carmakers Corp. (ACC)—the official BMW importer and distributor in the country—couldn’t have chosen a better time to bring in its 4 Series than during the launch of the eighth and newest dealership AutoAllee BMW near Eton Centris on North Edsa.

The 4 Series Coupe has been touted as one of the most beautiful cars to have come out of BMW’s production lines. The foreign motoring press describes its aesthetics, power, driving dynamics and fuel efficiency (it has yielded up to 25 kilometers per liter of diesel) have made it a stand out many times over.

ACC stressed that the BMW 4 Series Coupe “celebrates the very essence of the BMW brand’s existence by offering powerful aesthetics and sporting dynamism.”

“This 2014, we usher in a new era of Joy with the launch of the BMW 4 Series Coupe,” said Maricar Parco, ACC president. “With its powerful road presence and standout dynamic ability, this coupe is one of the sportiest vehicles in the current BMW lineup, setting a new standard for the segment. Similar to its predecessor, the outgoing BMW 3 Series Coupe, the 4 Series Coupe gives out an abundance of sheer driving pleasure that is unmistakably BMW. ”

ASIAN Carmakers Corp. president Maricar Parco and executive director for sales and marketing Glen Dasig at the 4 Series Coupe launch. Photos by Tessa R. Salazar

Compared to the previous BMW 3 Series Coupe, the BMW 4 Series Coupe has a longer wheelbase that displays its dynamically stretched silhouette and a significantly wider track fit to house its new 19-inch alloy wheels that make it sit considerably lower on the road. BMW’s typically short overhangs, endless bonnet and flowing roofline give the 4 Series an illusion of motion even when on a standstill.

The double-kidney grille, bi-xenon headlamps with LED Corona rings and single-frame air intake on the front apron speak volumes about the sporting nature of this coupe. A new element to this model is the Air Breather on each side of the fender, which effectively reduces drag. The coupe’s muscular wheel arches and wide track emphasize the new levels of grip and handling, as for the first time ever in a BMW, excluding the side mirrors, the rear wheel arches are the widest part of this sensually designed automobile.

Various improvements in the steering accuracy, precision and agility of the BMW 4 Series Coupe set it apart from its predecessors. Sophisticated chassis technology, 50:50 weight distribution, fine-tuning in the wind tunnel and an innovative lightweight construction concept create a new standard for sporting performance.

At the heart of the 4 Series Coupe is an inline four-cylinder BMW TwinPower Turbo diesel engine, with a maximum output of 184 horsepower and 380 Newton-meters of torque. It is mated to an eight-speed sport automatic transmission with steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters.

With the opening of its eighth dealership in the Philippines, ACC boasts BMW as the only luxury car brand in the country with the widest dealer network.

The new dealership was officially inaugurated by Graeme Grieve, vice president of importer regions of the BMW Group, and Neil Fiorentinos, managing director of BMW Group Asia, together with ACC chair Jose Ch. Alvarez and Parco. Receiving the new dealership plaque were Justin Koa, AutoAllee president, Clemente Garcia, AutoAllee chair, and William Sim, AutoAllee vice chair.

AutoAllee is at par with the global architectural standards of BMW. The three-story structure is built on a 1,900-square-meter lot area and houses the most complete lineup of services in BMW’s network of dealerships. The building itself is designed to allow natural light to filter in, providing customers a clear view of the unique features of each area.

AutoAllee BMW’s expansive showroom enables customers to comfortably view up to six vehicles down to their last details. A BMW Lifestyle section is also located in the area, where customers can avail of the premium items reflective of the BMW lifestyle.