Nothing beats the exhilaration of visiting a foreign country for the first time. Whether it’s learning a new language, indulging in local food or exploring the local culture, what’s certain is that after each experience, the world will never be quite the same again.
Back in June, I found myself travelling to Germany. The birthplace of Nobel Prize laureate Thomas Mann, theologist Martin Luther, literary figurehead Johann Wolfgang von Goethe and composer Johann Sebastian Bach, there’s little wonder as to why this place has also been referred to as Das Land der Dichter und Denker (the Land of Poets and Thinkers).
After spending 11 hours comfortably jetting across the skies, the plane finally touched down at Munich Airport, 27km from Bavaria’s bustling capital. It was summer time in the city, as the scorching sun hovered above in cloudless azure skies. But despite the threat of sunburn, I was simply unable to contain the excitement of being among the first in the world to test-drive the latest cars from BMW.
START YOUR ENGINES
The next day, I accompanied the other members of the international press as we made our way to Garching, a town known for its research institutes and university faculties. The roads were damp as a result of a drizzle. Although this provided relief from the previous day’s heat, I couldn’t help but wonder if this would detract from the overall driving experience. But the doubt was unfounded as the day wore on. On arrival at the BMW press centre, we were greeted by a dozen units or so of the new 340i sedan, all lined up and ready to hit the road.
The 340i is the first model in the BMW line-up to be powered by the all-new six-cylinder engine from the latest modular EfficientDynamics engine family, which when combined with the rigid yet lightweight all-aluminium unit and TwinPower Turbo technology, results in a blend of performance and outstanding efficiency. Aesthetic updates of the model include a sculpted long bonnet, wider side air intakes, redesigned headlights with optional LED technology, new LED tail lights and prominent kidney grilles.
Also housed within the reworked chassis is a bevy of impressive technologies including a full colour head-up display; a revised Parking Assistant connected to ultrasonic sensors that allow the vehicle to park in both parallel spaces and spaces perpendicular to the road; and LTE technology that enables drivers to enjoy optimum connectivity plus a range of services without needing to pull out a smartphone. The tech features blend with the vehicle’s luxurious interior, draped in leather, wood and chrome.
ONWARDS TO ACHENKIRCH
After a quick briefing and demonstration on the new features of the 340i, we finally began what was to be a delightful adventure from Munich to Achenkirch. Located in the Schwaz district in the Austrian state of Tyrol, this municipality is renowned for its picturesque valleys, rolling Alpine pastures and stunning views of the surrounding mountains. But in order to get there, we would first have to tackle Germany’s Autobahn.
Often described by serious drivers as the pinnacle of the German driving experience, the sense of freedom and exhilaration one feels while zooming down the Autobahn was definitely enhanced by the superior features in the 3 Series. Whether it was accelerating or switching lanes, the car’s improved steering precision enabled the 340i to glide gracefully over the tarmac.
As we ventured towards the countryside, multiple lanes framed by tall skyscrapers would give way to numerous quaint villages, increasingly narrower roads and endless fields in vivid hues of yellow and green. Guided by the soothing voice that emanated from the navigation system, we were able to traverse through unfamiliar territory with relative ease. After scaling a gravelly road along a steep hill, we finally arrived at Das Kronthaler, a ski-resort with lovely views of the nearby mountain range and the Achensee, said to be the largest lake in Austria. It was certainly a relaxing respite after a long day of driving.
RETURN TO MUNICH
There’s nothing quite like greeting a brand new day in the Austrian countryside, where the crisp air is coloured by the scent of grassy meadows still glimmering with delicate beads of morning dew. Despite the cloudy weather, nothing could possibly dampen my spirits from taking on the challenge of the day, which involved driving the new X1 back to Munich.
Compact yet rugged, the sporty appeal of this second-generation model has been further enhanced with bold horizontal lines added to the sides, front and rear (which also has a special sensor that allows you to open the tailgate by flicking your foot under the car) and optional 19†light alloy wheels. The list of upgrades continues into the interior, which houses plenty of space for additional passengers as well as luggage. The cockpit is typically oriented towards the driver and the raised driving position provides a commanding view of the road ahead.
Mid-way through the journey, the onboard navigation system directed us to a charming farmhouse-turned-restaurant located in Geitau. After lunch, we ventured towards the adjoining open field, which had been converted into an obstacle course complete with steep slopes and rugged terrains. This is where the X1’s xDrive all-wheel drive system showed its mettle by increasing the vehicle’s traction and directional stability, thus ensuring the safety of occupants. And for this writer, the X1 passed every obstacle test with flying colours.
Sadly, even the most incredible journeys must come to an end. But seeing the enthusiastic smiles on the faces of those who had taken part in the BMW experience serves to reinforce the belief that the luxury car maker offers some of the more scintillating drives on the planet, and that it caters to the needs of serious drivers as well as those who are not so steeped in the art of driving pleasure.
