Motor trend reviews the 2017 bmw m3 where consumers can find detailed information on specs, fuel economy, transmission and safety. 2017 bmw m3 prices online.. Feast your eyes on the latest spy shots and video of bmw鈥檚 upcoming x3 m. Motor trend reviews the 2009 bmw m3 where consumers can find detailed information on specs, fuel economy, transmission and safety. 2009 bmw m3 prices online.. 2019 bmw 3-series spy video from motor authority on vimeo. A completely refreshed bmw x line-up is just around the corner, with two completely new models joining the fold. Bmw was established as a business entity following a restructuring of the rapp motorenwerke aircraft manufacturing firm in 1912 named aerowerke gustav otto.. We are just about getting used to the idea of sporty cars powered by diesel engines, but the audi sq5, bmw x4 30d and porsche macan s diesel further test the. We test/review the bmw z4 (e85 / e86) and talk about the things you should check when buying such a car. Real advice for bmw car buyers including reviews, news, price, specifications, galleries and videos..
You know it鈥檚 not going to be an ordinary road test when the marketing material mentions such features as a spring-plate mattress, a pull-out fridge-freezer and a toilet. Mind you, the Volkswagen Grand California is no ordinary camper van. It represents a first for Volkswagen, whose smaller California has become a bit of a cult icon among campervan enthusiasts. But where the standard California is based on the Transporter, this new sibling is based on the larger Crafter van, making it just over a metre longer and, consequently, much roomier inside. Arguably the biggest news, however, is the addition of a small shower compartment with a built-in cassette toilet, making this a much more practical proposition for longer trips or family holidays. There are two Grand Californias to choose from. Both come with a double bed as standard but, counter-intuitively, the shorter 600 is actually the family-friendly variant, as it comes with an extra-high fibreglass roof section into which you can add an extra double bunk. The 680, as its name suggests, gains an extra 80cm in its wheelbase, which has enabled the fitment of a longer bed and a bigger kitchenette.
But it loses the extra height and, consequently, is strictly for two. The Crafter is one of the best big vans on sale, so it should come as no surprise that the Grand California drives beautifully. The eight-speed torque converter auto is smooth and quick-shifting, while the 175bhp 2.0-litre turbo diesel engine provides more than enough grunt to maintain your momentum, even up hills. The steering is light and direct, and despite the top-heaviness of the 600 we鈥檙e driving, it resists body lean pretty well. As a result it鈥檚 very easy-going and almost as nimble as the smaller California; indeed, on a wide enough road, it can even be rather enjoyable. Mind you, most Grand Californias will spend their time on motorways, so it鈥檚 a good job it鈥檚 brilliant there, too. It鈥檒l sit at 70mph quite happily with surprisingly little wind and road noise. The ride is more comfortable than many cars we can think of, and there鈥檚 adaptive cruise control to help smooth away those miles.
All the seats are offer plenty of support, too, especially those in the front, which get flip-down armrests. And when you decide to pitch camp, the good news continues. There are smart touches like fly screens and USB sockets throughout, and a neat touchscreen mounted on the wall, which allows you to control the heating and lighting. The extensive options list, meanwhile, includes static air conditioning, a Bluetooth speaker system, a satellite dish, and four-wheel drive. The living quarters are furnished with the sort of tasteful fabrics and sleek cabinets we鈥檝e come to expect in the smaller California. So, the Grand California is brighter, fresher and more modern inside than most motorhomes of its size. There鈥檚 enough space even for a six-footer to stand up straight throughout, too. The shower cubicle, meanwhile, is spacious enough that a large adult can wash without feeling cramped, and the clever flip-down sink and mirror/cupboard combination make the best use of what space there is. And when you want to bed down for the night, the Grand California becomes truly cosy and comfortable. Gas heating is standard, though you can add a diesel heater too if you want.
There are blackout blinds for every window, so privacy isn鈥檛 a problem - and you won鈥檛 be disturbed when it gets light. You also get ambient lighting as standard, with four colour options to choose from using wall-mounted touchscreen. The bed, meanwhile, is firm, but not so much so that it鈥檚 uncomfortable, while even in warmer climes, there鈥檚 enough ventilation that you don鈥檛 find yourself waking up in a pool of sweat. In fact, there鈥檚 very little here to dislike - with the possible exception of the price. Exact figures haven鈥檛 yet been confirmed, but expect to pay 拢69,000 or so for the most basic version - a significant chunk of money even in camper terms. A smaller Volkswagen California Ocean, complete with sink, hob and fridge, starts from just over 拢53k. But when you consider this is probably the smartest, best-driving and most comfortable camper van going, it鈥檚 worth it. The Grand California isn鈥檛 just a must-have for camping buffs, but a truly desirable thing to own in its own right. If your next camper has to have a loo, and you鈥檝e got a few pennies to spare, then this is where you should spend them.
Comments
Post a Comment