Does a BMW Gran Coupe 428i make any sense?

What is wrong with BMW?  They launched the 4-series, in replacing the 3-series coupe...which make a good business proposition, having a completely new model that reminiscent the previous generation, yet giving a refresh feel to the public.  Now, they are making a 4-door coupe with a large hatch-like door at the back, named it the Gran Coupe...Beside the hatch door is grand and huge, I don't see a point of having a 4-door coupe, lugging around town with kids and maid at the back of the car!  Wake up, guys!  You do not want a sporty car with 4-door...that defeat the purpose.

The 428i Gran Coupe here is available for RM10k less from the RM400k mark, making it a tough choice for most where cheaper 5-series is available and look superb luxurious comparing to this.  What would attract a sport minded owner will be the Dakota red leather and make the coupe stand out, like shouting at the rest to shut-up about it has now grown up with additional doors!  Interior is always BMW, with simple 2-row of buttons split for audio and climate control.  The meter cluster is standard as well, with nothing to shout here.  With 245hp/350Nm of power from the 2-litre turbocharged engine, and BMW standard 8-speed transmission, the car could be a monster, if it were 2-door less.  So before you put your money down...think carefully, the standard 428i Coupe Sport could be the one you are looking for instead.

This Gran Coupe has nothing lack in the safety and luxury departments.  It is a sport coupe, thus most importantly, the Adaptive M suspension is a must have, which adjust the damper automatically according to the road conditions and driving style.  The Dynamic Stability control switches to Dynamic Traction Control in Sport+ mode which is cater for a real dynamic drive.  If you were to bring it to a track, hopefully this could be off so that one could have a total control of the raw vehicle.  If you were getting the M Sport trim, it get more interesting with front 225/45R18 and rear 255/40R18 wheels and all the exclusive M trimming and a glass roof.  However, having a glass roof might add weight to the car, thus it is not everyone favourite option.  Overall, the design looks neat, and the rear door does not look like a hatch, but it is.  If I were you, the lesser doors version is the preferred choice!

Volkswagen Polo Sedan...the Saga look alike!

From far and from near, the Polo sedan looks like the Saga.  Being the lowest end of VW's range over here, its design cue is drop dead simple and straight forward, targeting at crowds who want to finally and to proudly own a German car.  The Polo's CKD kit is from India, so don't expect it is a German made car, though built quality is still good, but most soft-touch plastics are replaced with lower grade of material to enable it to compete in the B-Segment sedan which is heavily dominated by the Vios and City.  Love it or not, a conventional Otto Cycle 1.6-litre engine, which has been in VW production for ages, mated to an ultra reliable Japanese Aisin branded 6-speed gearbox.  Yes, this is the type of down-to-earth simplicity that could attract the commoner, without the complexity of a turbo engine and dual clutch transmission that keep giving nightmare to most owners!  The engine produces 104hp/153Nm of power, which could be a crawl when pitted against its competitor.  Even a car dated back in the 2003 could produce similar or better performance.  But hey...didn't I just mentioned this car is downright simple!  It is a car design only for the emerging market, thus this will not be available back in the Deutschland!  It is the POLO Sedan!

Interior is no doubt a VW, with the familiar 3-spoke steering wheel, meter cluster with a central digital multi-info display and a nice gear stalk.  The basic audio unit will serve very well, with steering mounted control, which support SD + USB + Bluetooth.  Of course, if further comparing the Polo Sedan with a Honda City, it could lose out, by quite a distance.  The only wow here is the rear aircon vent and 4 anti-pinch windows...try it by sticking your head out, the window reverse its direction when it hit your head...good for those with kids that like to play with the power windows, and it is not powered by the famous Saga's window winder!  It has 4 airbags and ABS, but traction control is not included.  Let's hope VW will refresh it with a minimum of 6 airbags and make traction control as standard, then it could be a real contender.  The 15" India made Apollo should be swap with our local tires instead, I would think any Goodyear could do better than this.

At almost RM90k, is the Polo Sedan a value buy?  Looking at the scarcity of it being driven on the road, the answer could be quite clear, even though one could easily get RM8k knock off the sticker price. It still lack the sexiness of being a German car.  2 Years manufacturer + 3 Years extended insurance warranty could be attractive, but too many fine prints are turning people away.  However, at end of the day, if a continental car is what you want, and the French is not attracting your attention, the Polo Sedan then make a good buy.  Although from far and from near it still look like a Saga...it is a fact not, it is the Volkswagen Polo Sedan!

The mainstream Audi A3 sedan

Can the Audi A3 join the mainstream landscape of luxury automobile in Malaysia, especially with news around that Audi is taking back the distributorship?  Let's hope the A3 could finally make the 4 Rings a common sight on our road and worry of existing lousy service from our national car related company will finally end.  Just hope it is not inheriting those arrogant working style from its parent company, and it shall be good to go. Starting at RM180k for a 1.4-litre TFSI, 7-speed transmission (122hp/200Nm) and RM241k for the 1.8-litre TFSI quattro AWD, 6-speed transmission (180hp/280Nm), the A3 quattro is going to grab some market share from the Mercedes CLA which it competes directly.  And finally, one needs not settle for the ugly duckling of the A1 hatch, or even the A3 hatch which the A3 sedan is originally transformed from.  Audi hatch is no where near others brand in designing their hatchback to be hot and sexy, while their sedan could sweep its competitor off the table easily.

VW group has recently make the RM180k mark with models equipped with downsize 1.4-litre engine, such as this A3, the VW Tiguan and Golf, making these German-engineering available to wider audience if one just want to start the continental route but is still skeptical with French technology.  For the A3, the quattro version is a must have, as the flagship all-wheel-drive unit provide 0-100km/h acceleration in just 6.7 seconds.  With a smaller size, this could be an enjoyable ride for those that want to experience the burst of power around the bend of some kampung B-road...watch out for the animals crossing and falling tree branches though.

Audi interior is always well layout, clean and simple, and most will complain the 5.8" retractable colour display is rather small.  The main drawback for the 1.4-litre car is the 4-spoke steering wheel, which looks so uncle-styled and un-matching to the modern jet engine inspired aircon vents.  I love the northward pointing cluster, my favourite!  7-airbag and the Audi Drive Select with 5 modes of Auto, Comfort, Dynamic, Efficiency, Individual are standard.  Sport suspension is equipped in the A3 quattro, making it further interesting.

If you are wondering whether the A3 is good for your family...I would suggest that this is a sedan for the young executive, with seldom trips that could fill the car with more than 2 - 3 person.  The size of the car sit between a B-segment and C-segment Japanese sedan, and the rear space could be slightly cramp.  Continental car usually loses out on their space management when compare to the Japanese.  Wonder why?  Could be safety related, I guess!

A luxury sedan at RM180k...there must be a swamp of takers.  The A3 is sexy, but will you consider that VW Passat for RM170k with a more conventional look.  Tough decision, isn't it...follow your heart!

Lexus GS 250, the Japanese E and 5

You are the traditional China-man-style businessman, thus reliability and second-hand value of a car are your top priority, then the Lexus GS 250 should be in your shopping list, instead of the commonly seen Mercedes E-Class or BMW 5-series.  The 5 is out of your selection, after hearing most friends complaining the repair frequency and the need to dispose it after 3 years of heavy usage or 5 years of average usage.  Then the E is all too common to park in front of the hotel lobby while attending your annual ball, thus leaving you with the all time greatness of the Lexus GS 250.

The Lexus GS 250 is powered by a 2.5-litre V6 engine, capable of producing 206hp/253Nm of power, mated to the popular Toyota 6-speed Super ECT transmission.  As luxury it could get, the car is of course equipped with all the necessities, such as 18-way adjustable haevily bolster seats (for the luxury version), 10-airbag, Mark Levinson audio system, 12.3" navigation screen, whiplash prevention headrest.  However, to get all the luxurious items, you need to withdrawn RM399k from the bank, or stay with the standard version at RM366k with lousier leather, lesser speakers Lexus audio system, smaller 8" screen, 2-zone aircon, 10-way adjustable seats with no lumbar, shoulder and side support and standard headrest.  If you wanted a Lexus, always give the luxury version the consideration.  What is the additional RM30k if you could spend this type of money for such a car.  IMHO, Lexus should make owner selection easier by offering only a single variant.  The standard variant just made Lexus cheapskate.

Is the Lexus GS 250 really a good buy?  Yes and no.  Lexus is still long way to have the convenience of servicing your car with limited outlets, and its marketing has yet to proof Lexus is as luxurious and well known as the Germans.  With almost similarly price E and 5, the bulk of purchasers will still prefer to improve the Deutschland's economy instead.  In short, technology from those continental selections are much advance and those turbocharged engines are so much better with low-end torque, giving the sensational driving experience.  China-man you are...Lexus could be yours!  Japanese cars are still easier to maintain with lesser electronics!