News & Reviews- Make: BMW

The new X1 is a heretic, at least in a dehumanized mechanical sense of the word. Alternatively we could call it an apostate, iconoclast or dissenter, although BMW would probably rather have us use the terms nonconformist or freethinker.

Why such a dramatic opening? Other than my obvious ploy to get your attention the latest X1 breaks from what was previously considered sacrosanct rear-wheel drive tradition and instead is based on a front-wheel drive architecture shared with the Mini Countryman. Will the majority of X1 buyers care? Not one iota, and neither should you. What should matter more is its category-best performance that'll shoot you from zero to 100km/h in just 6.5 seconds, segment-best headroom from front to back, and best-in-class cargo volume.

More so it's hardly a forerunner into front-wheel drive BMW territory, being that the 2 Series Active Tourer has been available in other markets for two years already plus the new 2 Series Gran Tourer expands on the Read Full Story

Winter is undoubtedly my least favourite season. I live on the east coast and therefore get four true seasons each year. Note to Mother Nature: You can have winter back. This year's treacherous winter was epitomized by "Snowmageddon", a Nor'easter fired storm that dropped 36 inches of snow in my immediate area, and paralyzed the eastern seaboard from the Carolinas to Labrador.

Obviously overwhelmed, it took local authorities three days to even start clearing the roads in my small community, as major roads were the priority. Luckily, after my trusty snow blower cleared the driveway, my 2016 BMW 640i Gran Coupe tester was at the ready. I know, I know, BMW's are not normally known for snow and ice prowess, but this Bimmer was outfitted with xDrive, BMW's hi-tech all-wheel drive system.

I've never owned a BMW with xDrive, but I have owned several Audi quattros and currently own a Mercedes-Benz S-Class with 4MATIC AWD, so I have a good deal of experience with what works Read Full Story

BMW's 3 Series Touring is a bit of an anomaly. It's a compact D-segment premium station wagon, a rare breed of four-wheel beast these days. Audi offers something similar in its A4 Allroad, but they've given it a crossover twist so it doesn't really compete directly, whereas Mercedes currently only offers a wagon under its mid-size E Class designation. Word has it a new C-Class Wagon will be heading across the Atlantic soon, although for reasons unknown our U.S. friends won't be partaking. Volvo has long stayed true to its faithful North American wagon devotees by offering more five-door variants than any luxury rival, however, the V60 going up against BMW's otherwise lone entry, unlike the Audi A4 Avant and similarly revered Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon, less loved Jaguar X-Type Sportwagon and now nearly classic Lexus IS SportCross models that are all long gone.

Now our North American markets are mostly about crossover SUVs, which are little more than raised wagons that inherently Read Full Story

I've always liked the BMW 3 Series, a lot. Most driving enthusiasts do. I've even owned a couple, putting my money where my mouth is, so to speak. Therefore let me be the first to tell you that the new 2016 340i is easily the best non-M3 3 Series ever created. In fact, it'd be a toss-up as to whether I'd purchase this 340 or an M3. Don't get me wrong. The M3 is brilliant in almost every measure, but the 340i may very well be the perfect sport sedan, delivering ample power and exemplary handling capability in a more refined, sophisticated way.

It's certainly more understated from a styling perspective, albeit busier than a regular 3 Series. Its front lower fascia looks more aggressive thanks to the M Aerodynamics package that comes standard in 340i guise. Even the stunning machine-finished 19-inch twinned five-spoke alloys with grey-painted pockets are standard, although the M Sport brakes with blue-painted calipers poking out from within are upgraded via the optional M Performance Read Full Story

I love variety. Variety makes business sense too. After all, it's difficult enough for carmakers to get folks onto their websites and then down to their dealerships, so it would be best if they had the majority of bases covered when you arrive so as to fulfill your individual wants and needs. Such variety can be expensive, however, a much cheaper solution being to somehow coax everyone into a single model and therefore enhance economies of scale. It's worked so far for Tesla, albeit in limited numbers, with even that niche EV automaker needing to expand its product offerings in order to grow its numbers.

Tesla sold a record 1,556 cars in Canada last year, all from a single mid-size four-door model. Considering BMW sold just 1,996 5 Series into the same mid-size luxury space, and Audi could only pawn off 990 A6 sedans, that's pretty impressive. Then again the mid-size luxury sedan segment is one of the slower selling categories in the auto sector, a problem Tesla hopes to at least Read Full Story