Exclusive Access

February 15,2006

The new BMW 3 Series is loaded to the gunwales with advanced automotive technology. In its arsenal are such innovations as six-speed manual and automatic transmissions, all-aluminum engines with electric water pump, and run-flat tires. The 320i Executive Edition recently added a new feature to its extensive lineup, called Comfort Access.

Comfort Access is essentially a keyless entry feature, but this is no ordinary remote-control key fob. Instead, Comfort Access allows you to approach the car, unlock and open the door, and start her up by pressing the Engine Start button, all while keeping the electronic key in your pocket or handbag. Sensors detect the presence of they key within a couple of meters and correspondingly unlock the door when you tug on the door handle.

Locking the car is also a cinch. After exiting, simply touch a ribbed spot on the door handle, and the car will lock all the doors and trunk. For safety, the car will not lock the doors or trunk if it detects that the key is still inside the car.

The feature also works with the trunk lid, proving very handy when you have an armload of bags. You won’t have to dig into your pocket or bag to find the key. Just press the electric catch on the trunk lid, and you can load all your luggage with ease.

The Engine Start-Stop button now proves its worth, with no need to insert the key into the dashboard.

Of course, you can still manually press the remote control buttons on the key to lock or unlock the car from several meters away.

BMW’s marketing team, led by Lito German and Leana Farrales, demonstrated Comfort Access during an interesting exercise at the Fort parking lot. Reporters had fun opening and running the cars while keeping the key in their pockets. They also had to load a couple of large bags into the trunk using Comfort Access. The ladies proved more adept at using the trunk release feature, beaten only by several henpecked husbands with lots of experience handling shopping bags. The duo with the shortest time of the day won a pair of brand-new 3 Series cars.

Apart from providing convenient and luxurious transportation, the 3 Series’ main mission is still to provide driver enjoyment. This was evident on an autocross course that was part of the exercise. The 320i’s precise handling, responsive engine and powerful brakes proved that easy access is where the fun merely begins.

By Jason Ang | Photos By Ulysses Ang

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