REVIEW
Gavin Foster
BMW M3 SMG, R405000 BMW 3 Series compact, from R165000
Switch off the Dynamic Stability Control. Move the shift lever to the right sequential mode. Select performance mode programme 6 on the centre console-mounted switch. Move the gearstick forward and hold it there. Now comes the ugly part plant your foot on the gas pedal, press it to the floor and hold it there.
But nothing happens. No pistons pop up through the bonnet. The connecting rods don’t come whirling through the side of the block. The rev counter flies around to 3500rpm and stays there no more, no less.
Release the gearstick and feel the car take off like it’s got paraffin on its bum. A little wheelspin, but not much, and you don’t need to concern yourself with it. Just keep the pedal nailed down and let the traction control stop the tyres breaking loose. Watch the rev counter, and as the shift lights flicker across the top of the dial snatch the gear-lever back towards you. Don’t look for the clutch pedal because there ain’t one. Second gear comes and goes as you repeat the procedure, until four tugs on the lever later the BMW’s pulling an indicated 255kph in sixth gear.
After lots of speculation, it’s finally here BMW’s M3 with SMG a sequential manual gearbox. With 11 selectable performance modes divided between sequential manual and automatic transmission, the new transmission is about as close as you can get to Formula One technology at the moment. Unlike most auto boxes that allow you to select gears manually, the SMG is a true manual six-speed gearbox. It boasts a conventional clutch instead of a torque-converter, and it changes gears in a fraction of the time that you could do so in a normal manual car. No fuss, no muss. Or, if you’re feeling mellow, you can slip the lever across into auto mode and let the technology do the shifting and the clutch operation.
How does it work? With a combination of fancy electronics and hydraulics, that either operate the clutch alone or the clutch and shift mechanism for you. There’s also gradient assistance, which means you can pull off on slopes without the clutch burning itself out, and automatic double declutching on down changes. Slip recognition helps prevent rear wheel lock when changing down. It’s all much simpler than it sounds, and it works.
The BMW M3 SMG retails at R405000 that’s R25000 more than the six-speed manual M3. The smart money says that more buyers will take it than not.
Never mind the sequential manual gearbox, BMW demonstrated a different kind of launch control when it introduced journos to the new 3 Series based Compact hatchback saloons earlier this week. No singing and dancing extravaganza, no dashing around in game parks, no fancy hotels just a lunchtime start, a short drive and a lift back to the airport afterwards. Refreshing.
The second generation we never got the first one here Compact is the first BMW to offer the new four-cylinder United Kingdom-built Valvetronic petrol engine. The designers claim that power is 10% up on the old unit, with emissions and fuel consumption reduced by a similar percentage. The Compact is 21cm shorter than lllthe saloon, but l15mm in height, 53mm in width and 52mm longer than its predecessor.
Two basic models will initially be sold in South Africa. The R165000 two-litre 318ti uses the new 105kW four-cylinder engine, while the R220000 325ti is fitted with BMW’s familiar 141 kW 2,5l straight six unit. Top speeds are claimed to be 211kph and 234kph respectively, with the four cylinder version dashing to 100kph in 9,6 seconds. The six cylinder is claimed to need two seconds less. ASC+T, CBC and EBD are standard on both models, as are six airbags, seatbelt pre-tensioners and side impact door beams. The new models offer a choice of 14 interior and 13 exterior colours, two fabric upholstery choices, four fabric/ leather options and seven full leather choices.
Interestingly, BMW claims that with all the options available to 3 Series buyers, more than 11000 cars could roll off the production line without any one being an exact duplicate of another.