Conservatively styled B.M.W. car

Press, 25 July 1985, Page 29

Conservatively styled B.M.W. car

New Zealand’s best-sell-ing completely built-up imported European car up to the end of May this year was West Germany’s B.M.W. — a rather conservatively styled make, but with a very strong and highly successful competition and, later in the year, export background. Although something of a Johnnie-cum-lately in New Zealand, the original Bavarian company was founded in 1916 and has been known as Bayerische Motoren Werke AG since 1918. With associate companies in most countries where cars are sold in volume, the Munich-based manufacturer is not large by world standards but has won an enviable reputation over the years for its well-designed and engineered cars and motor-cycles. In more recent times, 8.M.W., a company whose output goes mainly into export markets, has moved into the Pacific Basin, companies being established in Australia, New Zealand and Japan. The Australian and New Zealand companies work in harmony and between them have been instrumental in procuring a rationalised model range for this part of the world, to the mutual advantage of buyers and the companies. In the past, the so-called European exotics landed in New Zealand have been sold long before their wheels have rolled on our shores. Consequently, in a country starved of better European cars, many of the exotics have been bought as investments and in that regard, B.M.W.S have been no exception. That state of affairs has left a bitter taste in the mouths of B.M.W. and the local companies’ directors. With the liberalisation of European car imports under the Government's motor industry plan, B.M.W has publicly declared that it will do all in its power to establish recognised trading patterns and get away from the invidious premiums which

its cars have attracted in the second-hand market. One of the most effective ways of accomplishing its objective is to make B.M.W.S freely available in dealers’ showrooms, and with the objective, B.M.W. New Zealand, Ltd, is in the process of extending its rather limited dealership network and keeping the dealers supplied with the cars their customers demand. Although it is probable that there will always be a few 3,5, 6 and 7-Series B.M.W.S around, there will be occasions when dealers will not be able to meet customers’ specific needs. In such cases, dealers should be able to supply buyers with the cars of their choice within 16 to 20 weeks from the time of order. In recent years the smaller 3-Series B.M.W.S have been New Zealand’s best-sellers in the West German range, but now B.M.W. New Zealand is making an all-out effort to obtain a share of the larger car market with, particularly, the 5 and 7-Series models. Prices, naturally, are high. Even so, practical experience shows that there are New Zealanders who can afford expensive cars, and now the most luxurious 8.M.W., the 735 i, a luxury saloon, is about to enter the market at around $114,000. Archibalds, the B.M.W, Audi, Porsche, Alfa Romeo, Citroen and Honda agent, will display a comprehensive range of exotics, including some examples of the 8.M.W., on its stand at Motor Show 85. Coincidentally, Mazda, considered one of the more advanced Japanese manufacturers but, like B.M.W. in Germany, not one of the most powerful in its own country, was founded in 1920, not much later than the German firm. Besides manufacturing comprehensive ranges of the 323 and 626 popular models, Mazda is importing a greater number of its more costly sophisticated cars under the Govern-

ment’s liberalised industry plan. Among them are the R.X7, a rotary-engined sports twoseater which, in New Zealander Rod Millen’s hands, is making a name for itself in United States rallying circles. A much sought-after coupe, the RX7 is an advanced aerodynamically designed car with handling qualities that do not fall far short of much more costly, purpose-built European sports models. It has been in production for some years and, as a new car, still has years of life, but already Mazda is working on a successor, not unlike the Porsche 944 in appearance and, it is said, in performance. But perhaps the most significant car in the Mazda range today is the 929 i, which has just reached New Zealand in four and twodoor hardtop configurations. These cars have electronically adjustable suspension. Microprocessors throughout the car are connected to the shock absorbers which are electronically variable and change their damping characteristics instantly to suit changes in road conditions or driving technique. The driver can select the suspension characteristics by altering a switch, the settings being automatic, hard and soft. In the automatic mode there are three speed settings, 50, 80 and 120 km/h. At these speeds the front dampers are switched to firmer settings for handling and stability. The 9291 provides a soft setting in the city, sporty ride for twisting country lanes, and for highway cruising the automatic mode is ideal. Four wheel disc brakes, 60 series low-profile tyres and an electronically fuel-in jected 2-litre engine that develops 88.8 kW at 5300 are other features of these luxury cars, many aspects of which will, no doubt, be incorporated in the more popular and cheaper volume-produced Mazdas of the future.