A key car model for BMW, especially within the business car sector, the 3 Series saloon is responsible for one-fifth of the car maker’s total global sales, making it essential that the latest model appeals to the fleet sector. Aiming to appease this demanding market, BMW has managed to make the new 3 Series lighter and more fuel efficient despite offering larger and more spacious interior accommodation.

The latest model features a stiffer body, all-new chassis based on a longer wheelbase (now 2,810mm, an increase of 50mm on the previous model) and wider tracks (by 37mm at the front and 47mm at the rear). What’s more it increases 93 mm in overall length by 93mm and provides  15mm more knee room and 8mm more headroom in the rear, while the height of the rear door and its opening angle have both been increased to make entry and exit easier. None of this is at the expense of luggage space, which has increased by 20 litres to 480 litres.  

Befitting the BMW 3 Series’ renowned driving dynamics, the interior control and switchgear layout is totally driver-focused. The elegant and dynamic new interior design language, with twisting and merging surfaces arranged in a series of layers, all angle towards the driver. The centre console itself is angled at seven degrees towards the driver.   

Drivetrains

All engines in the new 3 Series Saloon will feature BMW’s TwinPower Turbo technology. They include a new four-cylinder 2.0-litre petrol unit, developing 245hp and 350Nm of torque, in the 328i. It replaces the six-cylinder 3.0-litre engines used in the previous 325i and 330i, with inherent advantages for weight and fuel consumption, yet with a 0-62mph time of 5.9 seconds in manual form, it is quicker than either. Efficiency is also significantly improved and both manual and automatic versions of the 328i have fuel economy of more than 44mpg and CO₂ emissions below 150g/km. The new unit features High-Precision Direct Injection, BMW’s new TwinScroll turbocharging, Double-VANOS variable camshaft timing and VALVETRONIC variable valve opening technology.

But the engine choices don’t stop there. The 328i is one of four engines that will be available at launch, three of which are familiar from the outgoing model. The other petrol engine on offer at launch is the 3.0-litre six-cylinder TwinPower Turbo unit in the 335i. This flagship powertrain represents the current pinnacle of new 3 Series Saloon ownership.This engine, with automatic gearbox produces 306 hp, a 0-62 mph time of 5.5 seconds and yet achieves 39.2 mpg and emits 169g/km CO2.

Then of course come the all-important diesel powerplants, with the 320d and 320d EfficientDynamics available from launch. Compared to the BMW 320d, the BMW 320d EfficientDynamics Saloon features longer gear ratios, reduced friction components and revised electronics to generate an outstanding 68.9mpg fuel consumption and just 109g/km CO₂. Previously only available as a manual, the 320d EfficientDynamics will now also be available with the new eight-speed automatic transmission – whilst retaining the same 109g/km emissions level.

Less than a month after launch, three further new engines will be added. There will be 316d and 318d diesels, powered respectively by 116hp and 143hp variants of the 2.0-litre diesel engine, plus another version of the 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine. This will slot into the new 320i, and will be tuned to deliver 184hp and 270Nm of torque, with the same free-revving, supremely flexible character of all other BMW TwinPower Turbo petrol engines.

Market – three new specifications added

The familiar ES, SE  grades will be available and, later in 2012,  M Sport versions of the 3 Series Saloon, but in a bid to offer greater customer choice Sport, Modern and Luxury models also be offered.

Sport models add new unique light alloy wheels, black high-gloss air intakes in redesigned bumpers and matching bars in the double-kidney grille, and a black chrome tailpipe finisher for a new sportier look.

Modern models are designed to offer a natural, harmonic balance of colours and textures for an elegant character. Modern is available on all engines except the 316d and 320d EfficientDynamics and replaces the high-gloss black exterior embellishments of Sport with matt chrome and has its own exclusive 17-inch light alloy wheel and bumper design.

As befits the name, Luxury models have a refined, sophisticated appearance, offer the finest quality materials and include an enhanced level of standard equipment. Luxury is available across the range apart from the 316d and 320d EfficientDynamics. Bright chrome replaces the high-gloss black of Sport models or the matt chrome of Modern, and there are exclusive 18-inch light alloy wheels as standard. Inside, the detailing is also chrome, while the upholstery is Dakota leather with an exclusive stitching pattern and the dash and door cappings are in Anthracite wood with a Pearl Chrome finisher.

Standard specification

All models will benefit from enhanced levels of standard equipment, including 17-inch light alloy wheels, automatic air-conditioning, Bluetooth, BMW Professional radio with 6.5-inch colour screen and iDrive, keyless starting, USB, a multi-function leather steering wheel, cruise control and automatic boot opening.

SE is available with all engines except the 335i, and adds, among other things, different alloy wheels, rear Park Distance Control, two-zone air conditioning and a rain sensor with automatic light activation, for a premium of £850. Sport and Modern versions are priced £1,000 above the equivalent SE, while the difference between SE and Luxury is £2,500.

M Sport will have lowered and stiffened sports suspension, unique aerodynamic body styling and ride on 18-inch M light alloy wheels. The interior will be trimmed in Aluminium Hexagon with a Blue finisher. The sport seats will be covered with Dakota leather, and the door finishers, steering wheel and shortened gearshift will reflect the car’s position as the sportiest 3 Series Saloon model. Prices will be announced nearer the 2012 on-sale date.

Towards the end of 2012, BMW will also introduce four-wheel-drive and hybrid powertrains to the 3 Series Saloon for the first time in the UK. BMW’s xDrive all-wheel-drive system has been available on the 3 Series in some markets previously, and has now been engineered for right-hand-drive cars. The ActiveHybrid 3 will arrive at roughly the same time, and will use the powertrain recently announced for the ActiveHybrid 5. This pairs the 335i’s 306hp six-cylinder engine with an up to 40kW electric motor. Prices are expected to be announced soon.

At the front, the X6 now features fog lights set in a matt finish surround, newly designed bars and new grille bars flush with the bottom of the headlamp units.

As an alternative to the standard bi-xenon light, the new BMW X6 also becomes the first vehicle in its segment to be fitted optionally with adaptive LED headlamps. Their bright white light ensures optimum visibility.

The new X6 is offered with an extensive range of petrol and diesel engines. Engines with BMW’s TwinPower Turbo Technology in particular offer impressive pulling power and exemplary low fuel consumption figures. The BMW X6 xDrive50i  for example delivers 300 kW/407 bhp, while in the BMW X6 xDrive35i an in-line 6-cylinder petrol engine with 225 kW/306 bhp ensures supreme athletic performance. The in-line 6-cylinder diesel engines of the models BMW X6 xDrive40d and BMW X6 xDrive30d mobilise 225 kW/306 bhp and 180 kW/245 bhp respectively. Both offer not only impressively sporty power delivery but also emission figures based on the EU test cycle of 7.5 litres per 100 kilometres for the BMW X6 xDrive40d and 7.4 litres for the BMW X6 xDrive30d.

The new X6 is available with a choice of two non-metallic colours and eight metallic colours including Marrakech Brown metallic, Orion Silver metallic and Midnight Blue metallic. Inside, the standard leather trim Nevada is now also available in the colour Vermilion Red. Exclusive nappa leather option with extended features now includes a choice between the colours Black and Ebony White. The new BMW X6 is offered as standard as a four-seater model. A three-seater rear bench is optionally available. The luggage compartment volume of the Sports Activity Coupé is 570 litres and can be extended to up to 1,450 litres by folding down the rear backrests.

As an additional option, the M Sport Edition is offered for the new BMW X6 in Germany. This attractive equipment package includes 20-inch M light alloy wheels in double spoke design and bi-colour finish with mixed tyres, adaptive LED headlamps, BMW Individual high-gloss Shadow Line, black surrounds for the fog lights and M door sill cover strips. The striking accentuations for the exterior are supplemented with a sporty interior ambience. Features here include the sports seats with electrical adjustment and memory function, M-specific Alcantara/Nappa leather combination in black with M-style welt and contrast stitching, M leather steering wheel with shift paddles, M driver footrest, stainless steel pedals, interior strips in Aluminium Flywheel black and the BMW Individual roof liner in anthracite.

The new model is available to order now, with deliveries to follow.

The €637m (£561m) buy-out, completed on 30 September, means that Alphabet’s global presence has been expanded to 18 countries, placing it amongst the top five companies in the European market.

It means that Alphabet, BMW’s fleet management arm, now boasts over 460,000 financed cars under contract and a result of the two companies coming together should lead to progress in their existing growth strategy.

Norbert van den Eijnden [pictured left], Head of Munich-based Alphabet International and co-CEO, is keen make customers and employees feel comfortable with the combined companies.

“Alphabet and ING Car Lease complement each other well in all business areas,” he commented.

“It’s a perfect marriage that will open up many new opportunities for the company to become a genuine trendsetter in business mobility.”

Read Fleet Directory’s interview with Alphabet COO Matt Sutherland

With Alphabet’s multi-make working notably strengthened, Ed Frederiks, former CEO of ING Car Lease and co-CEO of the integrated company, also believes all customers will benefit from the merger with the company’s stronger positioning and optimised portfolio.

“These two exceptional brands combined will ensure the best possible service and product offerings to our clients across Europe,” he said.

“We are building on the strong expertise and experience from the past to innovate and effectively incorporate sustainability and mobility in fleet management.”

Speaking with Ian Robertson, BMW’s Sales and Marketing Board Member, the Minister heard first hand how the BMW Group intends to expand production of Rolls-Royce models at its plant in Goodwood.

Mr Prisk was also introduced to the new two-seater MINI Coupé which was unveiled at Frankfurt and will be built on British soil in Oxford with four engine choices – the entry level 90 kW/122 hp Coupé, the SD Coupé (105 kW/143 hp), the S Coupé (135 kW/184 hp), and the 155 kW/211 hp sporting flagship Works Coupé.

It has been the i3 and i8 concepts that have been setting tongues wagging the most which aim to redress the idea of individual mobility.

As the group’s first fully electric vehicles, the i concepts are being dubbed the first premium EVs. The i8 is being sold more as a sports cars, combining an internal combustion engine and electric drive, to deliver an exceptional driving experience with attractive fuel economy and emissions.

BMW were also showcasing their 119g 520d EfficientDynamics Saloon which can deliver 62.7mpg

By including electric and petrol-electric vehicles as well as motorbikes and even pedal bikes, sustainability is clearly the order of the day with BMW’s EfficientDynamics diesel models, comprising the bulk of the fleet.

At least a third of the vehicles are expected to be BMW’s 320d EfficientDynamics Saloons (pictured below) which can achieve 68.9mpg and CO2 emissions of 109g/km; a carbon output that keeps in line with the Games’ CO2 target. The 62.8mpg 520d EfficientDynamics Saloon will also play a big part in the 2012 fleet.

The first fleet vehicle – a bicycle – was handed over to the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games (LOCOG) earlier this week; a landmark delivery that made significant sense to LOCOG’s Head of Sustainability David Stubbs.

“It is rather fitting that the first vehicle we accept for the 2012 fleet is a bike,” said Stubbs. “Everybody will be travelling to the Games by foot, bicycle or public transport where ever possible and the LOCOG team will be no exception to this.”

Around 400 bicycles will be delivered in total but Mr Stubbs added that cars and motorcycles will still play a key role in ensuring the smooth running of the Games.

In terms of electric mobility, MINI Es and BMW 1 Series Active Es will mark their world debut with 200 of each while an electrically-assisted bicycle, the Pedelec, will also make its first public appearance in the Olympic and Paralympic fleet.

Sustainable target

As the world’s most sustainable automotive manufacturer, BMW Group was handpicked by Olympic organisers due to its ability to meet the emission targets set by London 2012.

The group hopes to achieve average CO2 emissions of no more than 120g/km across its entire fleet during the Games, said Ian Robertson, BMW’s Marketing Director.

He added: “Our success in the field of sustainable mobility has been recognised by the Dow Jones Sustainability Index, which has named BMW Group the world’s most sustainable automotive company six years in a row.”

Kulveer Ranger, Environment Director for the Mayor of London, added that BMW’s CO2-slashing vehicles fit with the Mayor’s ambition of improving the quality of life for Londoners by cutting pollution and cleaning up the city’s air.

“We therefore welcome this first glimpse of some of the cleaner, greener vehicles which BMW will be fielding as part of their Olympic and Paralympic fleet, including electric vehicles and bicycles,” said Kulveer.

“As cycling sits at the heart of City Hall, we are particularly pleased to see that BMW’s exciting new electric bicycle will debut in London next year.”

Ian Robertson said it was a “tremendous honour” for BMW to support the Games.

“The variety of different BMW Group vehicles in the London 2012 fleet, shows the depth of our dedication to provide sustainable individual transport to meet a broad swathe of different needs,” he added.

“I am also personally delighted that we are able to adapt a number of our vehicles for disabled drivers so that volunteers of different physical abilities can drive our cars.”

Its purchase of ING Car Lease is expected to be finalised before the end of the year and will raise the company’s car contracts total from 300,000 to around 540,000.

Norbert van den Eijnden, Head of Alphabet, believes the acquisition will boost their competitive lead in the European fleet management market.

He said: “In the growing European fleet management market, ING Car Lease is the perfect fit to complement the activities of Alphabet.”

Based in Munich, Alphabet International offers a range of fleet products including maintenance, service management, fuel management, accident management, risk management and vehicle rental.

In 2010, Alphabet managed around 301,000 company car contracts for over 12,000 customers and by strengthening its fleet management side, the BMW Group hopes to meet increasing demand for corporate car sharing, flexible mobility and usage solutions.

Electric additions

“Fleet management will also support the introduction of electric vehicles,” added Mr van den Eijnden (pictured right).

“Alphabet is concentrating on the growing full-service fleet management sector and is developing products and services for sustainable and efficient corporate mobility management. Alphabet already assists our corporate customers to manage a sustainable fleet with a focus on low fuel consumption.

“Fleet management is increasingly developing into comprehensive corporate mobility management. It’s a trend that demands new concepts of transport and sustainable solutions in company fleets and car pools.”

News of the ING deal comes just a month after Alphabet entered the Czech market, rolling its fleet management services into 14 countries.

“Alphabet is continuing to internationalise its services,” says Norbert van den Eijnden at the time.

“We can now respond to all our customers’ fleet management concerns in yet another important market.”

Can one car company be all things to all drivers? Well if you’re BMW, you’ll give it a damn good go.

Looking at a current price sheet for the whole BMW range, there are hugely company car driver-friendly models in the 1, 3, 5, 7, X3 and X5 ranges, putting most rivals to shame for emissions and economy. But this is just the tip of the BMW iceberg.

Lurking just below the surface, or just over the horizon if you want to mix metaphors and time lines, is a host of new models that will have business drivers champing at the bit and reaching for a pen to sign on the line.

Prime among these new models is the 520d EfficientDynamics. It’s a 5 Series, so we already know it’s super desirable and brilliant to drive, but the EfficientDynamics models adds, or rather subtracts, emissions of just 119g/km to knock 10g/km off of the standard 520d’s. That’s quite an achievement for a car that was already showing a clean pair of exhausts to its rivals from Audi, Jaguar and Mercedes.

It begs the question of why BMW didn’t just introduce this model at the very start of the new F10 generation of 5 Series’ launch last year. Still, let’s not quibble too much as any business driver who’s been an early adopter to the new 520d is still getting one of the very best cars ever made, not just in its class or as a company car, but in the whole history of the automobile.

Best of all with the new 520 EfficientDynamics models is there’s no penalty at all with performance and yet it offers even better economy of 62.8mpg. To confuse metaphors even more, this is having your cake and eating it at its very best. Yum.

Automatic tick from business drivers

However, BMW is not done with just offering what could well be the definitive company executive car on sale in the UK. Oh no, we also have the addition of the 520i and 528i petrol models to the Five’s line-up. For the first time in a very long time, the 5 Series comes to the UK with a four-cylinder petrol engine and it’s going to be a peach.

The engine BMW has fitted into the Five’s engine bay is a turbocharged 2.0-litre motor and comes in 184bhp (520i) and 245bhp (528i) forms with low emissions and packed with performance. It looks like the automatic tick for diesel from business drivers could well become much more of a conscious decision when these cars reach showrooms in September.

Add in BMW’s new 525d model, which uses an uprated version of the 520d’s motor increased in poke to 218bhp, and we have possibly the most complete array of executive offerings for business drivers ever from one company.

And still BMW is not done with its assault on company car drivers to make sure it has converted every last business user it can to the blue and white roundel. If the 5 Series doesn’t float your corporate boat, how about the 3 Series Coupe and Convertible in Sport Plus editions?

Farewell edition

When special editions start to feature in BMW’s plans, you know a model is set to be axed and replaced by an all-new generation. This is the case with the 3 Series, which is set for replacement in 2012, but the current car is still one of the all-time great small sporting saloons, with the spin-off Coupe and Convertible models also excelling in their niches.

So, if you don’t mind signing up to a model that won’t quite be the shiniest and flashiest new model in the car park come next summer, the Sport Plus models could be a way to get more for your money and still pay less Benefit in Kind.

These two models come with all the gear you’d find on an M Sport version but with 19-inch alloy which do nothing for comfort but a whole lot for looks and presence.

Then there’s some M3-style spoilers, black leather upholstery, access to BMW’s ConnectedDrive free of charge for three years and satellite navigation. That’s a heap of extras for £1,000 above the price of a standard 3 Series, so special editions can work for business drivers when you consider the cost of adding the Sport Plus’ kit to a standard 3 Series Coupe or Convertible would add a lot more than £1000 to the price tag.

For those who don’t want a coupe or drop-top, there’s now BMW X1 EfficientDynamics, or the catchily titled X1 xDrive20d EfficientDynamics to give it its full mouthful of a name. No matter, this new X1 model comes with revisions that offer up 62.8mpg and 119g/km carbon dioxide emissions. This puts the X1 in the 13% company car tax band, which could almost make the ugly bug X1 look more attractive.

Looker

Definitely not lacking in the attractive stakes is the Z4 that now comes with a new twin-turbo 2.0-litre petrol engine – the same one used in the new 520i and 528i models. It’s offered in the same 184 and 245bhp guises as in the 5 Series to create the Z4 sDrive20i and sDrive28i models, which are sure to have broad appeal for their performance alone. The sDrive20i covers 0-62mph in 6.9 seconds, while the sDrive28i drops that to 5.6 seconds to put it on a very close footing to the 3.0-litre six-cylinder models.

Best of all with the new Z4 models for company drivers is the drop in emissions that the new 2.0-litre petrol engine offers. The sDrive20i comes with 159g/km carbon dioxide output, dipping below that crucial 160g/km marker, while offering 41.5mpg. For those who would like the added performance of the sDrive28i, don’t despair as this faster model shares the same economy and emissions as its less powerful sister model, so it’s good news all the way with this pair.

If all of this sounds like one huge back slap for BMW, there’s a reason for that: it is one huge back slap for BMW.

While others are concentrating on dishing up worthy but sometimes not wholly appealing cars for business drivers, BMW has got its act well and truly together to give us cars we don’t just find efficient, but also dynamic.

Is BMW’s range the most complete in the world? Possibly not, but it comes closer than any other car maker currently out there, and there’s still the new 1 Series to arrive at the end of this month to consider.

You have never had it so good.

Alisdair Suttie

The bulk of the funds will be spent on creating new production facilities and equipment for the assembly plant in Oxford which has pumped out nearly 2m Minis since 2001.

The announcement will help to safeguard over 5,000 jobs with Swindon’s pressings plant and the company’s engine plant at Hams Hall near Birmingham also receiving a cash boost.

Norbert Reithofer, CEO of BMW AG, revealed his company’s intentions at Downing Street this morning, less than 24 hours after news broke that Nissan’s next Qashqai will be 100% British built [full story].

“We have started preparing our UK plants for production of the next generation Mini and this investment underlines that the UK will remain the heart of Mini production,” said Mr Reithofer.

“The Mini brand has made a significant contribution to BMW Group’s success in markets around the world and we anticipate that this will grow further in the future.”

Vote of confidence

Prime Minister David Cameron welcomed the investment, saying: “The production and export of iconic British cars like the Mini is making a real contribution to the rebalancing of the economy that this government is determined to achieve.

“It’s a tremendous vote of confidence in the skills and capabilities of the company’s British workforce and in the future of UK manufacturing.

“The Mini plant in Oxford has been one of our great manufacturing success stories, they should be hugely proud of their achievements. They have shown once again that the UK is a major player in the global automotive industry.”

The Mini Coupé will be launched before the end of the year, followed by the Mini Roadster in 2012  – both of which will be produced in Oxford.

Mini was the third largest vehicle manufacturer in the UK last year while the BMW Group as a whole enjoyed its most successful May last month with overall sales up 22.1% [full story].

The BMW 1 Series is the only rear-wheeldrive car in its class, and features BMW’s EfficientDynamics technologies as standard.

On sale in the UK from September 17, there will be a choice of three diesel and two petrol engines.

The new version is longer and wider than the outgoing model and features typical BMW proportions: a long bonnet and wheelbase, and a set-back cabin.

Energy management systems have been included such as an Auto Start-Stop function in both manual and automatic transmissions – the latter a first-in-class with eight speeds. There’s also an ECO PRO mode, activated using the Drive Performance Control (included as standard), a new feature that adjusts various on-board systems to maximise efficiency.

When in ECO PRO mode the throttle response is adjusted to encourage a more economical driving style. The extra economy created in ECO PRO mode is fed back to the driver, with the in-car displays showing the additional number of miles achieved.

At a later date, the all-new 1 Series range will be expanded with the introduction of the BMW 116d EfficientDynamics model. This model will generate an output of 116 hp while producing an average fuel consumption of 74.3 mpg,  but at the same time emitting just 99g/km of CO2. The first time a BMW-badged production car will fall below the 100g/km barrier, making it an attractive fleet proposition and exempt from the London Congestion Charge.

Inside, rear-seat passengers benefit from a further 20mm of legroom and there’s more storage space with large front door pockets, two cup holders on the centre console and a roomy glove compartment.

There’s also an additional 30 litres of boot space compared to its forerunner, taking the total to 360 litres. By lowering the standard 60/40 split rear seats this can be increased to a maximum of 1,200-litres, with the added benefit of a flat load surface.

BMW’s iDrive system is available as standard on cars with SE specification and above, comprising of a controller on the centre console, Favourites buttons and a freestanding, high-resolution 6.5 inch flatscreen monitor. This display is used for all information, entertainment, telecommunications and navigation functions, should satellite navigation be specified.

There will be a choice of two, new generation, four-cylinder petrol engines and three, redesigned, four-cylinder diesel units.For the first time, a BMW four-cylinder petrol engine has been fitted with TwinPower Turbo technology. The new 1.6-litre unit is of all-alloy construction and features a twin-scroll turbocharger, a High Precision Direct Injection system, VALVETRONIC variable valve control and Double-VANOS variable camshaft control. In addition, the new engine features BMW’s EfficientDynamics technologies, which aims to continually increase driving enjoyment while reducing fuel consumption and emissions.

The BMW 118i produces a maximum output of 170hp at 4,800rpm, and a maximum torque of 250Nm. Peak torque is attained between 1,500rpm and 4,500rpm, demonstrating the flexibility of this new engine. It’s no surprise, therefore, that the 118i will sprint from zero to 62mph in 7.4 seconds, going on to a maximum speed of 140mph. The efficiency of this new engine is proved by a combined fuel consumption of 47.9 mpg, and CO2 emissions of just 137g/km.

The new BMW 116i’s four-cylinder TwinPower engine develops 136hp at 4,400rpm and a maximum torque of 220Nm between 1,350 and 4,300rpm, providing a more dynamic drive that its predecessor. This is illustrated by the 8.5 seconds the car takes to reach 62mph from a standing start, and the 130mph top speed. The combined fuel consumption is 49.6mpg, with CO2 emissions of 132g/km, going down to 116g/km when teamed with the eight-speed automatic transmission.

Modifications to the 2.0-litre engine include aluminium crankcases, reduced engine friction, thermodynamically optimised turbochargers with variable turbine geometry and next-generation common-rail injection.

The new BMW 120d offers an increase of 7hp over its predecessor, taking maximum power to 184hp at 4,000rpm. Torque is also increased with an additional 30Nm, equalling 380Nm between 1,750 and 2,750rpm. These figures equate to a 0 to 62mph time of 7.2 seconds, and a maximum top speed of 142mph. It also manages 62.8mpg on the combined cycle, with CO2 emissions of 119g/km.

The BMW 118d has a maximum output of 143hp at 4,000rpm, with strong peak torque of 320Nm between 1,750 and 2,500rpm. It accelerates from 0 to 62mph in 8.9 seconds, with a maximum speed of 132mph, yet manages 62.8mpg on the combined fuel cycle and emits just 118g/km of CO2.

Finally, the new BMW 116d has a maximum output of 116hp and peak torque of 260Nm between 1,750 and 2,500rpm, the 0 to 62mph dash is completed in 10.3 seconds, before reaching a top speed of 124mph. This performance is matched to a combined fuel consumption of 62.8mpg, with CO2 emissions of 117g/km.

The new BMW 1 Series is available with either a six-speed manual transmission or a new eight-speed automatic transmission. The latter is available in Sport configuration, featuring more dynamic gear changes and shift paddles on the steering wheel.

There are a raft of electronic systems which include the optional Variable Sports Steering; Driving Stability Control (DSC) including Dynamic Traction Control (DTC) and an electronically locking rear differential as standard. DTC is activated in DSC Off mode, applying brake force to either rear wheel in the advent of wheelspin to maintain traction through a corner.

The standard specification of the new BMW 1 Series consists of a satin silver interior trim and Move cloth seats, with further interior trims and accent panels optional, as are Dakota leather seats or sports seats. Three standard and five metallic exterior paint colours are available from launch. Other additions to the standard specification of the new BMW 1 Series include a leather steering wheel, chrome exhaust and keyless start.

SE specification adds a freestanding high-resolution 6.5 inch flatscreen monitor, with operation via an iDrive controller, Bluetooth hands-free facility with USB audio interface and a multi-function leather steering wheel with speed limiting function.

Complementing the typical BMW range structure, two exclusive new model specifications have been introduced to allow customers to maximise the dynamic new design of the BMW 1 Series.

The BMW Sport model includes exclusive sport design sports seats, leather sports steering wheel, high-gloss black interior trim with Coral Red or grey accents and a host of other carefully selected design elements. External features include unique sport 17-inch star-spoke light-alloy wheels, Dark Chrome exhaust pipe and high-gloss black kidney grille, central air intake trim, side intake surrounds and rear bumper trim.

The BMW Urban model includes Metro cloth/leather seats, leather sports steering wheel and an acrylic glass interior trim in black or white with Oxide Silver accents. The exterior specification includes unique urban style 17-inch V-spoke alloy wheels and Chrome kidney grille with white slat sides and trim bar for the central air intake.

A total of 165,842 BMW, Rolls-Royce and Mini vehicles were shifted last month worldwide, smashing its previous best of 152,721 from December 2007.

BMW-branded vehicles claimed the lion’s share of that figure with 134,892 sold. Mini followed with 30,689 while Rolls-Royce clocked in last with 261 units sold.

Ian Robertson, member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, responsible for Sales and Marketing, reckons sales could exceed 1.5m by the end of 2011, an all time best for the company.

“2011 got off to an excellent start for the BMW Group with new sales records,” he said.

“This positive development is mainly thanks to our attractive model range and healthy auto markets in many parts of the world – in the established markets of Europe and the U.S., and in the emerging markets of South America and Asia.”

A total of 30,954 BMW 5 Series models were sold, over double the figure for March 2010.

Although still viewed as a relative newcomer, the Mini Countryman which emerged in September 2010, made up more than a quarter of Mini sales in March at 8,392 vehicles sold.

The new BMW X3, on the market since late November, was purchased by 9,315 new customers while the X1 racked up sales of 12,660.

When asked to name their favourite car of television and film, British drivers came up with KITT, the annoyingly calm and chatty Pontiac Trans-Am that proved a better actor than the Hoff in Knightrider.

Much of KITT’s allure, other than he/she was occasionally powered down by baddies or some inopportune problem when said baddies were just about to strike, was his/her computing ability. At the mere stroke of a keypad or voice-activated command, KITT would react with a flash of red bonnet light and get the Hoff and his hair out of trouble.

This computer-driven wizardry certainly caught the mood of the 1980s as we discovered new names to entertain us such as Amstrad, ZX Spectrum and Nintendo.

Now, this computer generation is the one designing real cars and KITT, it seems, is an even bigger influence than ever.

Toughbook

Just take a look at the Vauxhall Astra, aimed at police forces around the country, that comes complete with a Panasonic Toughbook built into the dash. Just like KITT, the Toughbook allows law enforcers to work remotely from an office and still keep up to date with all of the latest information.

Mounted in the Astra’s glovebox, the Toughbook saves on time and paperwork for overstretched police officers by allowing them to log a crime report instantly. No heading back to the station and some tortured two-finger typing here.

Vauxhall Special Vehicles Manager Dick Ellam says: “The Toughbook enables the police force to operate a mobile office system. Before built-in Toughbook systems were available, an officer would have to spend about a third of his or her time in the office.”

It all makes perfect sense, but the broader implications of this sort of system could mean many fleet drivers spend less time filling in paperwork at home or in the office and more time on the road seeing clients.

A built-in Toughbook may not save us fleet drivers from the chore of actually filing expenses claims or reporting on appointments, but it does mean we could do instantly and get home a little bit sharper.

iSceptic

If you’re still sceptical about this idea of computers being integrated into the car, just take a look at the number of cars at the recent Geneva motor show that championed this idea.

In most cases, it was the funky Apple iPad that was docked to the car, partly because iPads look better than a chunky laptop and partly because the iPad is seen as a broader working tool.

Many of the Geneva show cars using this iPad-to-car combo made greater use of the Apple gadget’s abilities. Instead of simply working some music in the same way as an iPod, the iPad could be used to work all of the car’s functions, from ventilation to safety features.

As a security measure, when the driver removes the iPad, it effectively immobilises the car as it will not work without its paired Apple gizmo. Clever stuff and something we will see much sooner than you may imagine.

The other advantages of having a removable computing device in the car is the business driver can use it more of the time. When driving, it’s not only illegal to use a laptop computer, it’s highly dangerous.

However, fix an iPad or similar to the car and it becomes one of the car’s functional interfaces. No one has ever been stopped and prosecuted for toggling through a BMW iDrive or Audi MMI system, so a modern computer’s touch screen would be no different. In fact, it could be a whole lot simpler and more intuitive given the driver will be used to working the computer screen more than the car’s original device.

BMW’s engineers claim iDrive is not in the least distracting, but anyone who has ever tried to plug in a destination to the satellite navigation while on the move will know this is not the case. Even with a BMW head-up display, it can involve plenty of time looking at the display rather than the road ahead.

Use a docking station and laptop for this kind of operation and you can plan journeys well ahead of schedule, line up what phone calls you need to make, add in reminders and, of course, cue up whatever music takes your fancy. No need to do all of this while sat on the driveway as the removable laptop means you can do it parked in your favourite armchair.

Huge opportunity

The other great advantage of using a proprietary laptop computer in a car rather than the often fangled contraptions car makers come up with is clarity of design.

Like it or not, Apple has won the battle for funky computer tablets with its iPad. Sure, other makes and model could be made to work in a car just as cars now generally come with an MP3 connector when we all know most people have an iPod.

For car designers, this is a huge opportunity to free up a huge amount of space in the front of a car. Get ride of all of the ventilation controls, stereo and sat nav. It could mean a car without traditional speedo and rev counter dials, or even any dashboard instruments at all.

It also means car drivers could customise their dashboard design with downloadable apps. Board with the standard white on black dials and rotary heating controls? How about vertical bars and a comedy voice to let you know if you stray over the speed limit.

Or you could synch the music stored on your laptop to the road conditions, using the satellite navigation to work out where you are, what speed you’re travelling at and what the traffic conditions are like. Switch from upbeat pop when cruising to soothing classical as you hit rush hour. It’s all possible.

Just one thing, please don’t let anyone put that smug KITT voice on my car’s laptop or I’ll have to try a turbo booster leap into oblivion.

Alisdair Suttie

When it comes to luxury car brands, we are positively dripping in an excess of luxury metal nowadays. The recent launch of Infiniti, along with the likes of Maybach and the rejuvenation of Rolls-Royce, plus the ever upward trend of Audi sales all prove we love a bit of posh.

But out of all the upmarket names and badges we have to choose from, which of these would you call a ‘superbrand’? Porsche? Aston Martin? The bold new line-up from Audi perhaps?

Nope. The only company that can truly call itself a ‘superbrand’ in the UK is Mercedes Benz as it has just scooped a top prize to make it all official.

This is impressive stuff, all the more so when you know Mercedes-Benz achieved this by toppling the global dominance of last year’s winner, Microsoft. It’s even more eye-opening when you find out that Microsoft and Google had been trading wins in the Consumer Superbrand awards for the past five years.

So, Mercedes has come a long way from its woes of a decade ago when customers were deserting it in rat-like droves as its quality was sinking faster than Simon Le Bon’s pedalo. It’s a warming tale of a company reversing a decline and finding its raison d’etre again. Sounds like the script from Oscars only a few nights before, but there’s an even more astonishing tale to be told and one that not even Hollywood could have concocted in its most fevered dreams.

Good company

Jaguar has also made it into the top 10 of Consumer Superbrands. Not only is this is a first for the leaping cat brand, it’s true vindication of how good its cars are and how well they are perceived by the public. Not so long ago, Jaguar was well noted for its comfort, performance and keen prices, but also for slightly iffy build quality next to its key German rivals.

Not any more thanks to a top 10 place in this survey, which is run independently by The Centre for Brand Analysis. It canvasses the opinions of more than 2000 people and it’s their votes that count towards the final results.

This may also explain why BMW features in the top 10 for the first time. With Jaguar at number 10 and Mercedes topping the pop-pickers’ poll, BMW comes in at a steady number seven, just behind Google, Coca-Cola and the BBC. That is some serious company to be keeping when it comes to brand perception, quality, reliability and distinction, which are the main tenets of the selection process.

It makes Merc’s win all the more heart-warming, so we can forgive Mercedes-Benz UK president and CEO Wilfried Steffen a little gushing when he said: “Winning the Superbrands survey is very special for Mercedes-Benz, and I am delighted that we’ve achieved the coveted number one spot in our 125^th year. Everybody in the company is absolutely committed to delivering exceptional levels of customer service, and this survey result shows that these efforts are paying off, because the British public voted for us.

“Winning Superbrands UK proves that Mercedes-Benz is as desirable now as it ever was, and throughout 2011 we will continue launching a wide range of innovative new products and customer service initiatives across the country.”

What this win for Mercedes, and the top 10 spots for BMW and Jaguar, also proves is the British public likes its up-scale, up-class cars. Yes, we profess to be moving toward greener, cleaner cars, but many of us are still just that teensy bit snobbish not too far under the skin.

Nothing wrong with that, I say. Why should we settle for second-rate or shoddy when there are better alternatives out there for no more or only a little extra in price terms?

Business users and fleet drivers often spend much longer in their cars and working vehicles than most other drivers, so we should not feel in the least guilty when it comes to ordering up our next company car. Times may be tough and money scarce for many businesses, but when your working day involves high mileages and long hours in the car, it’s only right we should spend that time in comfort.

If you go to the airport and are offered a free upgrade or access to the lounge to kill time before the flight, only the hair-shirted among us would decline. It’s the same principle when it comes to our company cars. Why pass up a better car that costs little or no extra just to pretend we’re all down at the same coal face?

Yes, some will feel a touch of envy when they see another driver in a car with a badge perceived to be a little more dashing. I was victim of this only the other week while trying out a certain German sports car with a heritage dating back nearly 50 years. Yet, many of those refusing to let me out of a junction were driving cars costing as much or more.

So, cast off your guilt when it comes to ordering your next company car. If a superbranded model happens to appear on the list and you’re in line, take the chance. Go on, live a little and enjoy a lot.

Alisdair Suttie