Greg Wilson test drive IF THE BMW 840Ci was an airplane, it would be a Lear jet — small, fast, comfortable. And very expensive. The 840Ci and the 850Ci are BMW's top-of-the-line automobiles, grand touring coupes that combine exhilarating performance with just . about every luxury feature imagin- able and the most contemporary pas- sive and active safety features. But if, the 8-series BMW looks unfamiliar to you, don't be surprised. There’s very few of them around. Here's one . possible reason. The V8-powered 840ci goes for $96,200 while the ‘V12-powered 850Ci lists for a $124,900. Ouch! Not only is the Beemer B-ceries expensive, but the market for high- performance 2+2 coupes, particular- ly V12-powered ones, is dwindling. - There are now many five-pazsenger, - four-door sedans —- such as BMW's ‘own 540i — that offer comparable performance to the 8-series coupe, . and a lot more interior room. Rumor Price as tested: $99,680. Base price: $96,200 © ‘Type: two-door, : four-passenger ‘242 coupe | Layout: longitudinal * engine/rear-wheel-drive “Engine: 4.0-liwe V8, DOHC, 32 _Walves, electronic fuel injection ‘Horsepower: 282.@ 5,800 r.p.m. Torque: 295 @ 4,500 rp.m. Transmission: five-speed automat- : front has it that BMW will be replacing the 8-series with a car based on the all-new S-series sedan coming out in the next year. But for those who prefer a tradi- tional 24-2 Grand Tourismo coupe equipped with all the latest toys, the 8-series BMW has few equals. Originally, the 8-series BMW was available only with a V12 engine, but last year BMW installed , their new 282 horsepower, 4.0-litre dual overhead cam, 32-valve V8 into the 8-series body, Though it’s not as silky smooth as the V12 engine, the V8 has more than enough power, better pas mileage, and brings the price down by more than $28,000! (There is also a new 5.4-litre V12 in the 1995 850Ci, but I'll feave that car for another test-drive.) The 840Ci has a traditional grand touring layout: a front engine/rear- wheel-drive setup with nearly equal front-to-rear weight distribution. The 840Ci is wider and longer than it looks in a photograph. This wide stance, combined with a fully inde- pendent suspension, a low centre. of gravity, and low-profile, sticky Uniroyal Rallye 440 235/45 17-in. radials, provides fantastic handling and a feeling of stability and security. at higher speeds. The 840Ci also comes with the ultimate active safety feature: Automatic Stability Control and” ‘Traction Control is a computer-con- trolled system that automatically compensates for loss of traction and stability by variously retarding the throttle, applying the brakes, or transferring power to the other dri- ving wheel. This system acts faster than a driver could, however the dri- je transmission © * Curb weight: 1,870 kg a, 122 Ibs.) Wheelbase: 2,684 mm (105. 7 in.) Length: 4,780 mm (188.2 in. ) Width: 1,855 mm (73.0 in:) - Height: 1,346 mm (52.8 in.) Trank cupacity: 11.3 cu, ft. ‘Fuel consumption: City: 15.4 ‘Y100 km (18 m.peg.); Hwy: 9.3 "100 km (30 m.p.g,) ‘Warranty: four years/80, G00 km: ot ise atibeste F. cal Pas WHO TO CALL: pysorcranaemecnmnnatoar an Sent ei Auto Editor Andrew McCredie 985-2131 (147} ii Sadetagtiicy, Fetes eee * p a ae SA a oes 2 i Stale fae rt THE BMW 840Cl is BMW's top-of-the-line Va-pewered luxury coupe, ‘The front engine/rear-whes!-: drive 2+2 2-cloor coupe offers a 282 horsepower 4.0-litre V8 engine, five-speed automatic irana-.. mission, four-wheel diec brakes, and a high-tech Automatic Stability: Control system: that’. improves safaty. ver has the option of tuming this system off via a dash-mounted switch if they choose. Huge four-wheel disc brakes with a four-channel ABS system provide great stopping power, even fora heavy car like this. The only trans- mission offered is BMW's excellent five-speed automatic transmission, a transmission that adapts to your dri- ving style automatically by shifting sooner or later, depending on how aggressive you are, It does a superb job. As I mentioned, the bucket-type rear seats are too small for people over six-years-old, Getting in and out of them is extremely difficult. The front seats are another story. Leather-covered, multi-adjustable, with excellent support, they provide ~ hours of riding pleasure. The dash wraps around to a wide centre con- sole covered in artificial lacquered, wood trim: Controls are easy to» reach, but I had problems operating the complex dual-side automatic cli- mate control system. In my opinion, some automatic climate contro] sys- Five to choose from, ; BRAND MEW GEO RETRO GSi (4 CYLINDER) FROM. Stock 424-1723 BRAND NEW CHEVY S10 PICK-UP TRUCK 41 in stock now {or shipped), “THE ALL Rew 1995 CHEV CAVALIER Stock #10- 9138 BRAND NEW oun S ACHIEWA v6 AUTORAATIC FROM Stock #12-5920 ean 7 BRAND RIEU LGADED CUTLASS SUPREME 2 2 TIME Is. ‘RUNNING our... -BEAT PHE RATE. INCREASE. oe TIME qs. RUNNING Ol UT. : ws tems are too automatic. Sometimes, they don’t do what you want them to lo. Standard equipment on the 840Ci is, of course, extensive: dual airbags, - leather upholstery, microfilters in the ventilation system, premium sound system with 10 speakers, electric steel sunroof, electric tilt/telescoping steering wheel, fold-down rear seats and centre ski-bag, power operated windows front and rear, heated’. . windshield-washer jets and ellip- soide retractable headlights. ©...” The only options are low-profile 17-inch tires with optional cross- |. spoke alloy wheels, pre-wiring for a. cellular phone, and eigitt-way power" front sports seats with three-position ” memory. lission plays host to driver training | THE SPORTS Car Club of B.C. (SCCBC) is holding. a two-day driver training course at Mission © Motorsport Park on Saturday, - March 18, and Sunday, March [9. Originally designed as the first; step towards becoming a race car. driver, the two-day program. is equally valuable, for driving enthusiasts who simply want to INCREASE. oe TIME Is become better drivers. ° : In addition ‘to improving dri.’ ving skills, participants wiil come’ away with a much better apprecia-: tion of the- high- speed world of motorsports. :- _ The full- weekend course costs $275 (including the driver’s man-" ual). For, more information call ' 268- 9555 or I- 800-818-9467, RUNNING. OUT. . ae $9,988 -» $12,498 on $4 2,798 $16,698 ‘non $19,998 * Hours 9-9 Mon.-Thurs.