IT TOOK till the third traffic light for the penny to drop.
Those pretty young things in the cars alongside were not looking at me. They were checking out the BMW 125i Coupe.
And why not? The latest baby Beemer to hit Singapore roads is 'cute' - verdict of a cute 15-year-old - and drives like a, well, BMW.
That means it enjoys the perfect 50:50 weight distribution the German brand is known for, and comes loaded with all the electronic aids such as Dynamic Stability Control, Cornering Brake Control and Dynamic Traction Control.
While the M Aerodynamics Kit-enhanced looks have evoked mixed reactions - some like the coupe's profile while others swear the hatchback version looks better - the interior is impeccable.
The plastics ace the knuckle-rap test, the doors shut with a reassuring thunk and the steering wheel has a nice chunky feel.
If you have had enough of the chatter on radio and think CDs are a thing of the past, the car also offers a USB iPod interface.
This shows that BMW, which offers this feature only on its 1-series range, has anticipated the tastes and habits of its target audience.
BMW has also been honest about the rear accommodation. There is space for just two adults, as signalled by the number of head supports in the back and the plastic tray separating the seats.
However, those two adults will sit in comfort with sufficient leg room provided by the scalloped backs of the front seats. Head room is ample too, unless you play in the NBA.
The boot is a little smaller than that of a 3-series, but good enough to keep golfers and grocery shoppers happy.
The true magic of this car shines through once you slot in the key - no metal protrusion, just a plastic fob you slot into the dash - and jab the Start/Stop button.
The burble that emanates from the twin pipes is enough to put a smile on any petrolhead's face.
Slot the gear lever into D and the burble changes into a guttural growl as the car responds with alacrity to any challenge.
Feeling like a lazy Sunday cruise? No problem. The 125i will putter along complacently. But the moment you decide to up the ante, it rolls up its elegant sleeves and works up a sweat.
A few taps of either thumb on the steering-mounted paddles and the six-speed Steptronic transmission kicks down a few notches, the revs climb accordingly and traffic falls behind magically.
The runflat tyres on 17-inch rims, long associated with a stiffer ride, don't rob the car of its composure much.
Chuck it into a fast corner, and the 125i hugs the line with unerring accuracy, refusing to be unsettled by any tarmac imperfections.
What is a nice touch is the Tyre Defect Indicator, which monitors the air pressure in all wheels and warns the driver if the pressure drops by more than 30 per cent.
There is one little problem though. The 125i is loaded with the same 3-litre engine - well, 2,996cc to be precise - that sits in the rangetopping 130i three-door hatch.
It has been de-tuned to produce less power (218bhp to the 130's 265bhp) and less torque (270Nm to 315Nm).
BMW says this is not new, pointing to the 5-series range where the 523 uses a de-tuned version of the 525's engine.
It justifies this decision by quoting product differentiation and even points to the better fuel consumption figures - the 125i uses 12.5 litres per 100km in city driving while the 130i burns 13.6 - but that is not going to sway Singapore's taxman.
If that doesn't bother you, head on down to the Reflections at Keppel Bay for a test-drive today and tomorrow, from 1pm onwards. |
