Impeccable prowess

THERE’S something about BMW as a brand that I just love. It would be easy to pass it off by saying it’s because it’s an expensive status symbol, but there’s far more to it than that.

In my opinion, it’s is a brand that let’s you know exactly what you’re in for from the moment you lay your eyes on it and the new 328i doesn’t disappoint.

It has had a make-over both inside and out but rest-assured it is still unmistakably a BMW 3 Series.

The athletically-arched bonnet accentuates the front end, emphasising the car’s on-road presence and the wide, aggressive-looking front grille lets you know this sedan means business.

I’ve had the pleasure of driving numerous models over the years from the mighty X5 to the majestic 7 Series and while the design may change from time to time one thing remains consistent, the quality.

Inside the 328i, the cockpit is driver-orientated with everything easily accessible via either the steering wheel mounted controls or BMW’s iDrive infotainment system.

It always takes me a while to get used to that little dial by the gear stick, which can be used to select everything from climate control to navigation, but it’s like riding a bike and pretty soon I was switching features like a pro.

So, what features does it have? Good question. The model I drove had Bluetooth which is not only great for making calls while driving, it can also play music from your phone  through the car’s sound system, no more Radio Bahrain (except when Marie-Claire is on, of course) for me.

The 328i also gives drivers the option of switching between driving modes to ensure you get the drive you desire.

I find a lot of modern cars have eco options which are very handy if you’re running low on petrol, or if you really care about the environment.

However for me, it was Sport + mode for the majority of my drive because, let’s face it, what’s the point of driving a BMW if you’re not going to utilise its stunning raw power?

However, gadgets and gizmos aside, what matters to me most is how a car performs and, for the most part, I loved driving this new 3 Series around the city.

The steering is well-balanced and remarkably responsive with even the slightest turn of the wheel; this makes it a doddle to manoeuvre around those tight corners Adliya is famous for.

Under the bonnet, BMW have gone in a bold direction with this model. The base model 328i now has a 2-litre turbocharged four cylinder engine in place of last year’s 3-litre, non-turbo six.

It still generates the same impressive 240 horsepower but many motoring critics, including myself, will attest that the delivery is much coarser which makes it unpleasant in stop-and-go traffic.

However, thankfully this sleek sedan still manages to deliver an impeccable performance on a straight stretch of highway.

As I’ve mentioned in previous reviews, the Germans may have some questionable quirks when it comes to cuisine, but there’s no denying their prowess for engineering cars that make your heart beat faster.

The BMW 328i starts from BD20,500. For more details call Euro Motors on 17750750.