THERE are BMW XPos, and there are BMW XPos. But with the BMW Sauber Formula One (F1) team close to getting second place in the 2007 F1 Constructors’ Championships, BMW Philippines saw fit to celebrate all things BMW—and all things BMW Motorsport—in a recently concluded XPo at The Fort Bonifacio Global City in Taguig. Billed as “Acceleration: A BMW Motorsport XPo,” the blue-and-white roundel revelry held from October 5 to 7 displayed the BMW Sauber F1.06 race car, a bevy of race-inspired vehicles, a showcase of the BMW Sauber F1 Collection from Puma and BMW. It also gave F1 fans a live screening of the Shanghai Grand Prix (where BMW Sauber F1 driver Nick Heidfeld finished seventh amidst chaotic and wet conditions).

The biggest highlight of the XPo was the BMW Sauber F1.06, which made its debut in Melbourne 2006. In order to make attendees show their best Heidfeld and Robert Kubica driving impressions, BMW Philippines brought in an F1 virtual simulator where guests tested their skills on racetracks such as Monza, Sepang and Silverstone. The state-of-the-art system utilized onboard active feedback steering with genuine pedals for acceleration and braking while providing a genuine track experience without actually being there  

Another highlight of the XPo was the launch of the BMW 320i Motorsport Edition. This unique version of the current 3-Series comes clad in the BMW Motorsports white, blue and red, and offers a bevy of additional equipment such as an M aerokit (including a carbon fiber M aerokit front apron), M steering wheel, M footrest, chrome exhaust, 18” light alloy wheels, illuminated start-stop switch, and black-lined taillights—all for P2.99 million.   

For the two-wheeled diehard, the BMW K 1200 S and F 800 S motorsport bikes were also on display. The former is perhaps the most powerful motorcycle ever produced by BMW, and evidence of its sheer grunt can be seen in its four-cylinder 16-valve engine, which impressively puts out 167 bhp and a 2.8-second zero to 100 kph acceleration time. On the other hand, the new BMW F 800 S is a midrange sporting bike with impressive power and torque due to its all-new, 800-cc Parallel-Twin engine with four-valve technology.

Not to be left out was the BMW Diesel Force—premium vehicles that combine performance and fuel efficiency with dynamic comfort.                

Representing the BMW Diesel Force during the XPo, as part of the widest range of premium diesel cars in the industry, were the X5 3.0d, the 520d, the X3 2.0d, and the 320d.

Those who experienced BMW’s sheer driving pleasure through a test drive during the XPo received complimentary BMW Sauber F1 items. Those who purchased a BMW during the XPo were automatically rewarded with an invitation to participate in a highly exclusive BMW Driver Training event to be held in the country later this year.

THE legendary Henry Ford has said it himself:  “I am not an inventor, I am an innovator.”

Although he is the acknowledged king of the motorcar, Ford was also known as among those who pioneered in building America’s freeway in the early 1900s. 

IT was named after the ship that Captain James Cook, hero of the seven-year war, commanded when he set off from England to conduct a scientific survey of Australia and New Zealand.

Full Tank: ABC of Driving

CAR accidents usually happen in three seconds or less. The count goes, “Zero One, Zero Two, Zero Three.”  In three ticks of the clock, bone-breaking, if not life-snapping, mishaps can happen.

Eyes on the Road: One of the greatest motor shows on Earth

BUYERS are now anxiously awaiting the release of the new Isuzu Global D-Max, which was previewed by the press on Monday at the Tagaytay Midlands, where Isuzu Philippines Corp. (IPC) president Keiji Takeda was all smiles as he welcomed all the media participants. No, we weren’t able to play golf that day since Monday is an “off” day for the Midlands golf course, according to Isuzu VP for corporate business division Art Almadrid, who was nursing a cold and flu.

Sheer driving pleasure revelry

THERE are BMW XPos, and there are BMW XPos. But with the BMW Sauber Formula One (F1) team close to getting second place in the 2007 F1 Constructors’ Championships, BMW Philippines saw fit to celebrate all things BMW—and all things BMW Motorsport—in a recently concluded XPo at The Fort Bonifacio Global City in Taguig.

Goodyear shares driving tips for wet roads

RAIN is considered as a major cause of road accidents. With increased rainfall comes the challenge of driving safely. When roadways are wet, tires can lose traction or cause vehicles to hydroplane and the driver to lose control. Additionally, visibility is greatly decreased during wet weather.