THE FACTOR


crossover treatment in the Philippines as a gasoline model joins its diesel-burning sibling in the local lineup. Called the X1 sDrive18i, the model promises the same sporting traits and fuel efficiency of the X1 sDrive20d diesel version that debuted


B


in January. The new X1 variant was intro- duced last week by Asian Carmakers Corp. (ACC), the country’s official distributor of BMW vehicles. Also announced at the car’s unveiling was BMW’s Zero Payment Plan, a purchase program that offers no interest or initial payments deferred for up to 18 months.


Gasoline power ACC said the X1 is the “first pre-


mium vehicle of its kind to offer the driving pleasure characteristic of a BMW X model in the compact


MW’s X1 crossover gets a double


X


Gasoline-burning variant of the BMW X1 crossover makes RP debut


segment.” Powering the X1 sDrive18i is a four-cylinder, 2.0-liter engine that makes 150 horsepower at 6,400rpm and 200 Newton- meters of torque at 3,600rpm, the figures achieved in part by BMW’s Valvetronic valve-management system, two variable Vanos camshaft adjustment feature and an equally adjustable intake system. This sophisticated breathing equipment, combined with other features integrated into BMW’s EfficientDynamics system, ensure


that the X1 sDrive18i burns less fuel and emits clean gases.


What they also make the car capable of is respectable perform- ance. According to ACC, the X1 sDrive18i can reach 100kph from a standstill in 10.4 seconds, with the car having a top speed of 200kph. The engine is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. ACC prices the X1 sDrive18i at


P3.190 million while the diesel xDrive20d sells for P3.590 million.


Finance power Meanwhile, ACC said the BMW Zero


Payment Plan requires only that customers’ cars have values ap- praised for at least half that of which the BMW model they want to purchase, and they have the option to trade in the vehicle they presently own—which would serve as the 50-


percent deposit—or issue a check dated 18 months later. The promo runs until September 30. “We want more people to enjoy


BMW, which is why we came up with a program that is made this simple and straightforward,” said ACC Sales Director Jay Cruz. “BMW dealers are ready to offer the highest appraisal for any make or model people might want to trade in. We are making it very flexible by giving the option for clients to top up their vehicle’s value by adding cash in order to qualify.” Along with the X1 models, BMW sells in the Philippines variants of the 1 Series, 3 Series, the new 5 Series and the flagship 7 Series. Its local Sports Activity Vehicle lineup is composed of models from the X3, X5 and X6 range, along with the Z4 sports car and other M models. BRIAN AFUANG


motoring


E dit or : Brian Afuang • motoring@manilatimes.net The Manila Times


TUESDAY August 10, 2010


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»OLDSCHOOL BMW E24


DEBUTING in 1976, the BMW E24 is somewhat of a lost child, having been a sort of successor to the seminal 3.0CS and a predecessor to what became to be called as the 6 Series. All models, however, are tech marvels rendered in Grand Touring scale. The E24 was sold until 1989, with many models arriving in the Philippines.


Toyota sells almost 4M hybrids worldwide, to build Prius in new Thailand plant


TOKYO: Toyota Motor said last week that sales of its hybrid vehicles in Japan had topped the one-million mark and that it had sold 2.68 million of the vehicles worldwide at the end of July. The carmaker also announced it would start producing the Prius hybrid in Thailand this year, stepping up overseas output of the fuel-sipping vehicles amid swelling global demand, according to reports from the Nikkei daily and Jiji Press. Toyota, the front-runner in hybrid cars, launched the Prius—


the world’s first mass-produced hybrid car—in 1997. Since then, the carmaker has expanded the use of its hybrid system to minivans, SUVs and rear-wheel drive sedans. Presently, there are nine Toyota hybrid passenger cars and three hybrid commercial vehicle models sold in Japan and eight hybrid models overseas. Toyota Motor Thailand Co. will oversee the Prius production, with the technology-sensitive hybrid system including batteries and engines to be supplied from Japan. The carmaker wants to eventually export the hybrid cars from Thailand to expanding Asian markets. AFP


TOYOTA CONTINUES FOREST DEVT PROGRAM Toyota Motor Phils. personnel recently held a tree-planting activity that increased coverage in the “Toyota Forest” located within the 82-hectare Toyota Special Economic Zone in Santa Rosa City, Laguna. A leading advocate of caring for the environment, Toyota maintains the 11.4-hectare forest that has its own tree nursery where Toyota Motor Phils. Foundation (TMPF), the company’s social and humanitarian arm, sources seedlings that it donates regularly to local government institutions and other organizations.


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