Story and photos by Randy S. Peregrino
NOTHING is more engaging than driving around the country’s well-known sugarbowl with BMW’s initial multipurpose vehicle and its first car with a front-wheel drive layout.
Asian Carmakers Corp. (ACC), the official importer and distributor of BMW in the Philippines, recently invited select members of the media for a two-day event to experience the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer, as well as to explore the highways of Negros Occidental to visit a BMW showroom, appreciate the remnants of a majestic residence and relax in a tropical paradise renowned for its fine shoreline.
We arrived in Bacolod-Silay airport at around 9:30 in the morning. Waiting outside were six Active Tourers lined up to transport the group. First stop was Autobahn BMW, the first and only BMW dealership in Bacolod, where performers in colorful costumes welcomed us with a traditional tribal dance. Joining the lifestyle drive was no other than ACC President Maricar Parco.
After a briefing for the participants, teams of three journalists boarded each Active Tourer with the X3 as marshal and lead car, a BMW service mobile and a brand-new 3 series for the ACC top brass.
Assigned to the last car, this writer took the wheel as we moved on to the next destination. The raised roofline and large doors made ingress easy and given the wedge profile and long wheelbase at 2,670 millimeters, there was more than enough head and leg room for the passengers. Intended to be driver-centric, the Active Tourer’s front seats are slightly elevated and its steering wheel, where controls are embedded, is thick and grippy. Projected in the middle of the dashboard is the BMW iDrive system heads-up display in a detached panel. The car’s sporty exterior centers around the signature double kidney grill and twin LED headlamps with corona rings.
We reached the scenic grounds of The Ruins—the Taj Mahal of Negros. The remains of the structure gave the impression of stature and heritage, which is why the Active Tourers were artistically arranged in front of the façade for an ideal subject and background contrast, luring everyone to take photographs.
After savoring the sumptuous local cuisine for lunch, the group proceeded with the trip. Even with humidity at its peak, the dual-zone air condition turned the cabin into a cold blanket. There was hardly any noise penetrating the cabin apart from the sound emitted by the air blower. Arriving at Emilio’s Restaurant for an afternoon snack was seamless despite the relatively long-distance drive.
As we raced against time, the convoy resumed traversing the slightly congested highways. For a three-cylinder petrol engine, the twin scrolled turbo generated optimal power and torque for swift overtaking. Soon, the winding roads with ascents welcomed the convoy; this writer opted to utilize the manual mode and was impressed with the harmonious and real-time shifting.
For a front-driver, the steering is remarkably accurate thanks to the rear wheels’ camber adapting to every turn, promoting excellent handling and control. And when we encountered rough roads, not even the rubble created tire rebounds as the independent suspension managed to absorb the harshness.
We finally made it to Punta Bulata Resort and Spa, where the group settled in, and enjoyed the body massage and delectable dinner. Unexpectedly, we reached the journey’s end without any amount of stress and still left with plenty of energy to enjoy the tropical paradise. The next day, after breakfast, the convoy took the same route going back to Bacolod City. Arriving at past noon, it was time for a gastronomic fine-dining experience at the 21 Restaurant.
At the airport, everyone relaxed while we waited for the flight back to Manila. We made it back home safe and possessed with the unforgettable driving encounter with the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer.
Image credits: Randy S. Peregrino