FIRST PRINCIPLES
BMW owners take to the track, finding joy in a most unexpected vehicle.
Arow of BMW 420i Coupe Sports cars greets participants at the BMW Advanced Driving Experience (from RM1,588) at Sepang. The driving exercises are designed to build proficiency in the absolute basics of car control. Before getting behind the wheel however, lectures on speed and tyres provide insights into vehicular physics. Small differences in speed can greatly affect stopping distances which, in turn, influence collision severity or indeed their occurrence at all. The importance of choosing high quality tyres for safety and performance were delivered by BMW tyre partner, Continental.
The 420i (from RM338,800) is yet another 50:50 car from BMW, its weight distributed evenly and shifted via a 2.0-litre turbo four-cylinder. The numbers are modest by the brand’s standards, 184hp and 270Nm which find 0-100km/hr in 7.5 seconds, but there is sound reasoning in this: car control is less challenging to master when not overwhelmed by power. In lane changing exercises, designed to simulate the need for an emergency manoeuvre, it is clear that everyday speeds are tricky when faced with obstacles. On a wet section of the car park, attendees learn — the hard way — about the consequences of a car when it doesn’t steer as intended. While understeer is easily corrected by backing off the power, oversteer may lead to disaster if handled incorrectly. Here, BMW took the opportunity to demonstrate its Dynamic Stability Control found in all its vehicles which counters the outsized effect of oversteering, keeping the vehicle within the limits of grip.
A follow-up module, called the BMW Intensive Driving Experience (from RM3,188), is held a month later at the same circuit to provide the opportunity for drivers to apply all of the theories and compartmentalised training in the most comprehensive manner. BMW Malaysia’s solution is simple but effective — lap the Sepang circuit repeatedly until the perfect line is attained.
At a slower speed, it is easier to hit the brakes at the right distance from the corner, finesse the turn-in, clip the apex and exit gracefully. Any driving instructor, especially
On a wet section of the car park, attendees learn — the hard way — about the consequences of a car when it doesn’t steer as intended.
those in charge of the BMW brood over the two courses, will advise gradual movement up the power ladder. With increased abilities, everything tends to slow down. Moving from a 420i to an M4 for example will not seem so intimidating, because the instincts picked up in the former will only need honing for the latter. Jumping into an M4 from the off, however, may result in being woefully under-prepared for the racing line.
The concluding segment compiles all the skills into one test. A time band challenge from Turn 9 to Turn 14 allows participants to gauge their progress. Satisfying though this is, the three-day sum benefit of both programmes goes beyond simple performance driving. Increased confidence and knowledge on vehicle behaviour imparts useful skills which any driver should be able to call upon in an emergency. Ultimately, the guiding idea about handling a vehicle delivered by BMW states that power is nothing without control. Even in a humble 420i, physics may get the better of any driver who goes beyond his and the car’s limits. www.bmw.com.my ≠
With increased abilities, everything tends to slow down.