Cool compact. BMW’s 1-Series delivers on its promise as an ideal set of wheels for the up and coming.

HOW fast can you go? How small can you be? Are you “the one”?

We were just lucky enough to believe we have found the one car that can be “the one” in Metro Manila with its traffic and terrible parking problems, and some cute out-of-town trips if need be.

For four wonderful days we were the proud driver of a BMW 120i and it was almost perfect for a man like me, single father with a day job, a night job and then some more jobs, partying at night, responsible during the day (or so I would like to believe!).

Looking at the One, you would recognize a sophisticated, yuppie look in it—a car that would be driven by the young, upcoming and almost successful executive or some young man with a rich father or one who has just been promoted, or even one who just got a hefty raise. And the look of the car just gives you that impression.

The car just reeks of fine accomplishment.  Two large headlamps that illuminate your way to the top, just like eyes fixed on their target. Kidney grilles in between that have been the sign of success from long ago when BMW begun its successful climb to greatness. Strong horizontal shoulder lines much like that of a champion athlete. And a sleek bonnet, long wheelbase (for a compact) and short overhangs.

Of course, the roof rack always gives the impression of functionality. The rear hatch is popped by pressing the BMW emblem. Innovative, but quite confusing since it is unlike any regular latch handle.

The BMW 1-Series is definitely not for the fainthearted. Torquey and truly fast, the One is a rear-wheel drive that allows you to steer with the front wheels and drive with the rear, something more akin to my more conventional days (read earlier times.)

In traffic, it gives you the jump needed to zip through traffic ahead of other slower accelerating cars. And on high-speed highways, you get the jaw-clenching adrenalin rush of true speed with its powerful four-cylinder engine.

This 120i engine with its Double-Vanos ensures an ideal torque curve across the entire powerband and throws at you 150 horsepower and a tested top speed of 217 kph. (Not that I got that fast even on my way to Dau and back along the North Luzon Expressway.) It has a maximum torque of 200 Nm at 3,600 rpm with a recorded acceleration of 8.7 seconds from zero to100 kph. This is achieved through its Valvetronic technology that enhances both performance and fuel economy. A real youngster treat I would say.

Safety is never compromised in a BMW. This “1” gives that through a brake system that includes the whole alphabet of ABS, EBS, DSC and all that, helping to control the four-wheel disc brakes the size of a serving platter. Add the safety belt system and six, not two, not four, but six airbags, and one would feel more danger reading a book at home. It also has run-flat tires (goodie!!!) that can take you 150 km as long as you drive within 80 kph. Don’t you just love the convenience!

Now, we step inside the cabin and, lo and behold, everything is designed so that the driver has total control of the car, not only from steering, but even the accessories inside. The dashboard has a curved design, and the leather-covered steering wheel has controls for the audio system, mobile-phone controls (not readily available in the RP models) and the iDrive controls that are way better than the original confusing pattern BMW came out with years ago.

The instrument cluster is much more pleasing to the eyes since it is not cluttered, having only two display dials plus text information at the middle complementing the iDrive controls.

The keys are the latest electronic type that fit into a slot at the dashboard with an engine starter button on top of it and makes turning a key obsolete. Its floor-mounted shift stick is not only functional but classy.

The interior gives an aura of sophistication. The seats that hug your body accentuated by electronic controlled features for lumbar and distance/comfort adjustments are just right and the cargo compartment can hold quite a number of items from groceries to golf bags.

The only drawback about the 120i is that rear-seat comfort may have been compromised to achieve its size. In fact, the size of the entire car may have been compromised to achieve the desired design. My little boy actually told me, “Daddy, you’re too big for your car.” I’m not sure who got hurt the most, me or the “1.”

But be that as it may, the 1 Series was not actually made for carrying too much all too often. It is a car for the young executive (as I have already said) and it performs that function much too efficiently. In fact, if my son is now of driving age and he asked me for a car, I would consider the 120i very seriously. After all, who would not want their kid to be driving around in the latest, coolest Bimmer in town?

THOSE who have been following the motoring section of this publication will probably wonder why this issue’s front page does not have cars on it.  That being the case, the writer would like to beg everyone’s indulgence as he has a rather important story to tell. 

HOW fast can you go? How small can you be? Are you “the one”?

THE criminals-on-wheels are getting bolder and meaner!

Incidents of holdup and killings perpetrated by those criminals riding on bikes and other vehicles are rising, and we are wondering what the authorities are doing about it.

JAN DE LA MERCED, driving a Subaru WRX STI, gave his rivals a farewell party that they won’t soon forget when he set the fastest time of the day during the third and final round of the 2007 Hill Climb Series, supported by Petron Xtra Unleaded—go for the extra miles, Stoplight TV, Manila Speedzone, Citgo Philippines, Zoobic Safari, Michelin Tires and Speedlab, which was held on the road leading up to the Mount Samat National Shrine in Bataan on May 19.