Flip through the latest issue of Gulf Weekly.
There are a few things in life I will always remember … the first stolen kiss in the playground with Jayne Champion, England beating Germany 5-1 in a World Cup qualifier in Germany in 2001 and surviving a high-speed front tyre blow-out on a dual carriageway.
The latter still makes me shudder. Fortunately it happened on a rare occasion when I was holding the steering wheel properly with both hands and concentrating on the road.
The car, a soft top MGB, swerved all over the place despite my valiant efforts to steer it straight and I came close to crashing it into a lamppost on the main road between Banbury and Oxford, which had seen its fair share of fatal accidents.
I survived, extremely shaken but my beloved car was a write-off, caused by the damage to the chassis and wheels as I mounted the pavement unceremoniously.
Last week I had the pleasure of driving the new BMW 6 Series Convertible, which boasts a new interior and exterior design and comes with a wealth of technological highlights that distinguish it from its predecessor.
Fortunately, those amazing developments also cover the tyres.
Twenty-five years on, with the wind blowing through what’s left of the hair on my head, the front driver’s side tyre of my test car blew suddenly as I drove along the Budaiya Highway.
I heard the escape of air but the steering wheel did not even shudder. Within seconds a message was placed on the screen stating that the air pressure was low but I could continue driving providing I did not go faster than 80kmph.
Isn’t it incredible? Offering stylish design, outstanding performance, luxury and sheer driving pleasure, the latest generation BMW 650i Convertible is expected to set trends in the premium car segment and can guarantee you a safe journey home, even with a shredded front tyre.
The puncture was caused by the pockmarked, pot-holed highway ruined by too many burning tyre incidents and understandably not being repaired whilst protests continue.
Each tyre costs BD240 to replace, so the advance of technology does not come cheap, although it will certainly save lives.
It’s also so much simpler to enjoy the sunshine nowadays too. The roof of the new BMW 6 Series Convertible takes just 19 seconds to open and closes within 24 seconds. Both operations can be activated while on the move at speeds of up to 40kmph with the touch of a button.
High-quality materials, carefully co-ordinated colours and, once again, meticulously formed surfaces combine to produce an ambience defined by luxury.
The progressive character of the new convertible is emphasised with numerous BMW ConnectedDrive optional driver assistance technology features for enhanced comfort and safety, some of these include rear-view camera; Surround View; BMW Night Vision with pedestrian recognition; and BMW Park Assist.
In addition, it is the only car in its segment available with a full colour Head-Up Display which projects driving-related information onto the windscreen within the driver’s direct field of view.
The new BMW 6 Series Convertible is available in the Middle East with two engine variants: 650i and 640i, which offer more power and fuel efficiency than their predecessors. The eight-cylinder power unit in the BMW 650i Convertible produces 407hp and the BMW 640i Convertible generates 320hp. Both engines come with BMW TwinPower Turbo power, direct fuel injection and Valvetronic technologies team up as standard with an eight-speed Sports automatic gearbox.
Drive Dynamic Control which allows the driver to choose from a range of pre-programmed suspension settings comes as standard, while the Adaptive Drive which helps stabilise the vehicle around corners ensures the premium comfort, safety and driving pleasure for the driver.
The BMW 6 Series Convertible starts from BD32,995.
For further details contact Euro Motors on 17750750.
