Convertible wins converts
Published:Sunday | May 15, 2011 | 12:00 AM
Brian Bonitto, Special Assignment Editor
Guests at Stewart Motors' unveiling of the 2012 BMW 640i convertible (Cabriolet) last Thursday were blown away by a demonstration of one of the vehicle's state-of-the-art features: Parking Assistance.
With the driver's hands in the air, guests at the local BMW dealership Orchard Road headquarters looked on in awe as the soft-top, four-seater sports car found its way comfortably between two parked vehicles. The applause and cheers which went up afterwards, spoke volumes.
"Do it again," the audience cheered.
It took three demonstrations to quench their appetites.
"This is the top of the range, two-door car and it shares technology with the 7 series," Duncan Stewart, general manager of the family-owned dealership told Automotives. Stewart also used the opportunity to officially open its J$14m regional training school, geared toward enhancing the technical skills of all personnel working at BMW dealerships in the English-speaking Caribbean to first-world standards.
High praises
"So far, we have already had personnel from Cayman Islands and St Lucia," said director Diana Stewart, matriarch of the dealership and president of the American Chamber of Commerce.
"The interest in the school is tremendous, as we have been getting several emails from organisations, other than BMW Caribbean dealerships," she chuckled.
Christian Meindl, the BMW regional area manager, had high praises for Stewart Motors' dedication and the brand's success locally.
"BMW is the region's strongest brand, with the most units sold, and it is very successful in Jamaica," he said. "And, the hosting of today's event puts Jamaica on par with BMW launches around the world."
German BMW tutor at the Jamaican training facility, Manfred Vogt, introduced the guests to BMW's latest offering.
"The car has a camera under the rear BMW emblem which enables the driver to see clearly behind when reversing," said Vogt, who has been working with BMW for 39 years.
According to Vogt, the eight-speed, double-clutch sports car has a reduced fuel consumption rate of 95 per cent over the previous model; a night-vision system with pedestrian recognition and an electric power steering feature.
For an enhanced experience, the convertible offers the Drive Dynamic Control System which allows the driver to choose the most suitable suspension setting.
In the meantime, Duncan Stewart has lauded the government's recent move to reduce the Common External Tariff (CET) on motor vehicle imports from 40 per cent to 20 per cent.
"With that reduction, savings to the consumer could amount to 30 per cent," he said. "People can now buy an X5 for the former price of an X3."
"The current starting price of the 640i is J$12.6m, down from J$15.7m," he said. "And, this is BMW's most technological product so far," Mr Stewart said.
- BMW 640i Convertible specs
Engine turbo-charged 3.0-litre straight six-cylinder (235kW/320cv)
Power 320bhp and 450Nm of torque from only 1,300 rpm.
0-100 km/h 5.7 seconds
Top speed 155 mph