COSCHARIS UNVEILS NEW GENERATION BMW 1
Five doors, youthful, bold, radically redesigned engine, swept-back body, uniquely high-quality, and sporty design with BMW's typically elegant proportions and boldly shaped surfaces.
This is how BMW officially describes one of its latest babies - the 2012, second generation 1 Series, which made a grand debut at the Geneva Motor Show this year.
Only a couple of months after this world premiere, the exclusive marketer in Nigeria, Coscharis Motors, unveiled the premium compact range to the press, with emphasis on the fact that it is still the only rear-wheel-drive model in its class, and remarkably, even more sporty and fuel-efficient than before.
The Executive Director (Sales and After-sales), Raju Sawlani, who led the Coscharis team to unveil the new BMW 1 in Lagos, did not fail to draw attention to the vehicle being significantly more comfortable and spacious, while boasting exclusive features and occupying a distinctive niche within its segment.
Presenting the car to the press, the Divisional General Manger (BMW/Ford), Sola Adigun, paid tribute to its qualities, underlining a lively image enhanced by design elements which imbue the product with maturity.
Adigun went on:' BMW 1 Series is still a market leader with its BMW EfficientDynamics technology; first car in the world in its segment with optional eight-speed automatic transmission. Automatic start/stop function in both manual and automatic transmissions.
'It has significantly improved comfort and unique handling, thanks to rear-wheel drive, in-line engines, perfectly, balanced weight distribution and advanced suspension technology. Double-joint cross-strut front axle: five-link rear axle; high-precision electromechanical power steering with no interferance from the drive train'.
The new BMW 1 Series boasts of Optional Variable Sports Steering, DSC Driving Stability Control including DTC Dynamic Traction Control and electronically locking differential as standard.
Back in 2007 when the first generation was launched, the BMW 1 Series set a new global benchmark, with a unique range of technologies to reduce fuel consumption and emsssions being included as standard. Today, the new BMW 1 Series extends the scope of the BMW EfficientDynamics programme. The car makes extensive use of intelligent energy management systems, including Brake Energy Regeration and electromemechanical power steering.
Four years on, the new BMW 1 Series' body is 85 millimetres longer, wheelbase 30 millimtres longer, front track 51 millimters wider and rear track 72 millimters wider than the previous model. The height remains unchanged, but 17 millimteres of increased width. It has more spacious interior and sportier look; 21 millimteres more rear legroom, luggage compartment expanded from 330 to 360 litres, luggage capacity expandable to a maximum of 1,200 litres with rear seats folded down. It has large number of storage compartments, shelves and cupholders in cockpit.
The new BMW 1 Series has highly torsion-resistant body for increased responsiveness and passenger protection. Comprehensive range of safety equipment including front, side and head airbags.
The car has a BMW ConnectedDrive: a comprehensive and (for a compact car) unique selection of optional driver assistance systems and mobility services. High-beam assistance, adaptive headlights, parking assistance, reversing camera, lane departure warning including Collission Warning, cruise control with brake function, speed-limit and no-passing information, internet connectivity, increased smartphone and music player integration, real-time traffic information, and web radio, Facebook and Twitter applications.
In conjunction with the optional navigation system and the BMW Professional radio, the new BMW 1 Series uses the BMW iDrive system. This comprises a controller on the centre console, favourites buttons and a freestanding flatscreen monitor. The new BMW 1 Series is currently available with a choice of two latest- generation four-cylinder petrol engines and three radically redesigned four-cylinder diesel units.
Following the presentation, the Sales Manager, BMW, Linda Onwuegbuzie, guided the guests through the car's highpoints, stressing that it was designed for urban and modern settings. The new 1 Series has as its comprtitors Mercedes-Benz B class and Audi A3, both global citizens of German stock. Responding to curious questions, Raju explained that the after-sales department was put on tjhe ready befgore the arrival hit Coscharis showrooms across tha country, adding that buyers are asssured of a warraty of two years or 60, 00 kilometres.