By Tet Andolong | Photos by Nonnie Reyes
IN every home, women are in charge of such issues that range from what groceries to buy to what furniture and appliances to use. Female buyers may be picky and demanding, but it is an accepted fact that they mostly make all the calls, and buying cars is no exception.
Nowadays, women are not only gaining power in the corporate and political world, but they are also overtaking men on the fast lane.
According to a recent study published by iSeeCars.com, women buy more than half of the new wheels on the market and they influence 80 percent of all car purchases. These are the reasons automakers and their marketing research teams value the importance of female buyers. They pay close attention to exactly what women are looking for in a car and the top 4 issues they consider important are safety, comfort, practicality and value.
There are a lot of cars out there with these features and this writer, who is a veritably fussy driver, adds to more that she looks for in an automobile: versatility and fuel efficiency. During a recent test-drive, this writer found one particular vehicle that offers all of the aforementioned qualities: the new BMW 218i Active Tourer. Despite being a front-wheel drive multipurpose vehicle (MPV), the 218i Active Tourer has the soul of a car. It has a radiant appearance that is evident when viewed from the front, thanks to its low windscreen and high hood that immediately catch your eyes.
The high roof line and large doors ensure ease of access to all seats and makes getting in and out a cinch. The refined rear design with large L-shaped lights and 17″ light alloy double-spoke style wheels contribute to the 218i Active Tourer’s sporty look. The double kidney grille with the LED headlights is the unmistakable BMW stamp of style and exclusivity. It also features bright and efficient bi-LED light that can be switched between low and high beams, as well as cornering lights that optimally illuminate the road, making night driving more safe and relaxed. And if the sunlight is too bright, you can just simply close the roller sunblind. The Panorama glass roof provides a variety of options for great ventilation. If the glass roof is put into the venting position, the sunblind is automatically rolled back to allow the desired airflow. And the integrated wind deflector automatically springs into action to minimize turbulence when driving with the roof open.
More surprises await inside the five-seater 218i Active Tourer. It has a windshield that has the best rain sensing wipers and a dashboard, which is brightly visible, as well as smart displays—some of the few things that I look for in a vehicle. With its high-class look and feel, the free-standing LCD display adds to the modern, light feeling inside the car. The equipment option ConnectedDrive Services give a wide range of information, entertainment and service features while driving, including BMW Online, which provides information such as weather, news and office functions powered by GoogleTM. In the “Applications” menu, it is also possible to assemble an individualized array of services, such as webcams, parking information, travel and hotel guides.
The Active Tourer is also equipped with keyless engine start/automatic start/stop function; two-zone air conditioning, aux-in connection, seat adjustment electrical with memory, additional 12-volt power socket, CD player, media and Hi-Fi loudspeaker system.
The top-quality interior is mixed with finished wood surfaces and selected cloth with Sensatec leather upholsteries that bring you to a sophisticated lounge atmosphere. For women, ample space is one of the important factors when buying a car, especially if you have children. The Active Tourer has plenty of room for functionality, as well as numerous storage possibilities, such as a lockable compartment for smartphones or glasses as well as stowage space for cups and large bottles. The optional foldable passenger seat increases the flexibility factor. The almost entirely flat floor in the luggage compartment guarantees easy loading and the rear seat bench, which accommodates three people—adjustable and can be folded down in a 40:20:40 split with its contactless opening of the tailgate when my hands are full. This feature definitely makes my life easier.
The 218i Active Tourer is powered by BMW’s three-cylinder 1.5-liter TwinPower turbo petrol engine, which has a maximum output of 136 hp between 4,500 to 6,000 rpm and maximum torque of 220 Nm at 1,250 rpm and is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission with Steptronic. TwinPower Turbo technology combines high performance with sterling fuel efficiency. In simple terms, the Active Tourer’s powertrain allows it to accelerate from zero to 100 km/h in 9.2 seconds, and reach a top speed of 205 km/h. The Servotronic power steering creates a direct steering experience while simultaneously improving agility and comfort. It makes parking, turning and maneuvering easier and comfortable. For small steering angles, the system provides excellent directional stability and a very high degree of precision. One of the special things that BMW is known for is its BMW EfficientDynamics. Every time you hit the brakes, kinetic energy is generated and brake energy regeneration takes over. It harnesses the coasting energy that is generated, whenever the driver brakes or takes his or her foot off the accelerator, and turns it into electricity, which means that the alternator no longer needs to run constantly, reducing the strain on the generator. As a result, the performance is increased and fuel consumption is reduced.
Safety is a paramount factor for everyone, but for me it’s a No. 1 priority. Priced at P2.95 million, its only fitting that the BMW 218i Active Tourer has all the safety features, such as antilock braking system (ABS), dynamic stability control (DSC) with extended contents, dynamic traction control (DTC), head air bag front and rear, driver and front passenger side air bags, side-impact protection, follow-me-home function, electronic vehicle immobilizer (EWS IV), acoustic seatbelt warning, automatic lock when driving away, and emergency spare wheel. It also available with an optional traffic jam assistant, which reduces the burden on the driver on motorways at speeds of up to 60 km and in other monotonous traffic situations by letting the car glide with the other cars in dense traffic—making traffic jams less stressful.
My favorite of all is the park assistant package, which combines park assistant and park distance control (PDC) in the front and rear. Together, the two systems ensure easy parking with increased safety at all times. The park rear view camera allowed me to see what’s behind while backing up or parking. The PDC makes parking in and pulling out of tight spaces much easier. An acoustic signal warns about potential obstacles, reducing the danger of damage while maneuvering.
Overall, the BMW 218i Active Tourer meets the criteria that most women look for in a car although it is a perfect vehicle for any gender and for young families. It is fuel efficient, safe, fast, fun to drive, reliable, roomy and, most of all, it’s a BMW.
Image credits: Nonie Reyes