JEDDAH, 7 January 2005 — Enough care is taken at the manufacturing level so that cars do not have to be recalled for defects. “Yet, whenever manufacturing defects come to light much after cars are distributed worldwide, it becomes the responsibility of the manufacturers to set right those faults free of cost,” a top car importer told Arab News on Wednesday night.
“At BMW here, we’re not so much involved in such problems,” Musa I. Al Aruri, managing director of Mohamed Yousuf Naghi Motors (MYNM) said while announcing the arrival of the all-new BMW 1 Series at the MYNM showroom.
“The BMW 1 Series redefines the compact class by combining the functionality of a compact five-door hatchback with the driving pleasure associated with a BMW,” he said at the presentation.
The new series is a five-door sports hatch, 4.23 meters in length, making this new model series precisely 24 cm shorter than a 3 Series saloon.
“The typical BMW drive concept, powerful engines, high-grade equipment and the experience of sheer driving fun offer a new and unique alternative in this particular market segment,” he added.
The BMW 1 Series is equipped with numerous technical innovations not usually featured in the compact segment, such as rear wheel drive, providing best in class performance, runflat tires, two-stage break lights and optional extras that include BMW’s revolutionary iDrive Controller, sports seats, keyless access, voice-activated radio and Bluetooth technology.
The 1 Series is available with four engine variants, ranging from 115-brake horsepower (bhp) for the BMW 116i to 150 bph for the BMW 120i, enabling the 120i to sprint from 0-100 kmph in just 8.7 seconds. Top speed is an impressive 217 kmph. Fuel consumption is 7.4 liters per 100 km.
A smooth-shifting manual six-speed gearbox (five-speed on the 116i) or, optionally, a comfortable six-speed automatic, deliver power to large-size 16-inch wheels with emergency running properties ensuring the most dynamic performance available in this segment.
Although a new car in a new premium segment, the 1 Series has the traditional BMW design trademarks — the front kidney grille, double headlamps and “Hofmeister kink” on the C-pillar. “These punctuate its genuinely head-turning styling,” he added.