The Oakville Beaver, Wednesday February 22, 2006 - 13 Trickle down technology helps BMW 3 Series By Michael Bettencourt Standing crisply upright behind a podium in front of ah assembled throng of generally silver-haired automotive media, the project manager of the all-new 2006 BMW 3 Series threw a zinger out there that had many in the audience harking back to times long past. "Psychologists say that the years between 30 to 40 are the best years of life in the eyes of most people," said Dr. Wolfgang Epple, "with lots of challenges, but also the most rewards." This was meant as an indirect way of saying the 3 Series is approaching the prime of its automotive life, having debuted for the 1977 model year. Or it could also be taken as a reference to its buyer base, heavy with 30- to 40-year-olds, an appealing demographic that BMW says is younger than many others in the luxury market. The only conservative aspect of this car is its looks, at least compared to recent BMW designs. There are whispers of the Chris Bangle signature flame motif, but it's all been toned down to a comfortably warm fire level, instead of a raging inferno on the eyes. Over dinner, Epple said their team actually chose from eight different exterior designs -- four done in Germany, one at BMWs California design stu dio, and three from Italian design firms Giugiaro, Bertone and Pininfarina. The winner came out of Germany, meaning it was done under the leadership of oft-criticized Mr. Bangle, who should take a bow on this one, as the design team has done a great job of making the larger car look aggressively hunkered down yet refined. The real radical gear is located inside the cabin or under the sheet metal of the new 3 Series. BMW borrows exten sively from tidbits introduced on the 7 and 5 Series, and brings them down to the automotive "middle class" for the first time, said Dr. Epple. The key fob eschews that ungainly jagged metal key, and is placed directly into the dash, rig h f next to the Start/Stop button, just like in the 7 Series. If you opt for the navigation system package, you'll get BMW's curious iDrive system, which also debuted on the 7, and comes bundled in the 3 with voice recognition technol ogy in a $2,900 package. Active steering is also on the options list ($1,500), an advanced system that varies the usual compromise between instant steering response at parking or city speeds, and sta ble highway behaviour that doesn't put you into oncoming traffic when you sneeze. Under 50 km/h or so, any slight zig of the steering wheel brings an instant directional zag, to the point where you'd swear you've never tried such a real istic video game. The 2006 3 is offered in two versions: The 325i and 330i, starting at $39,900 and $47,500, respectively. Continued on page 16 A winning The cure for an ailing auto and its regular upkeep requires a trip to Young's Automotive Ltd. Owners Ken and Jeff Young now call their competitors in the car repair business allies. They've recruited Paul and Brendan from Paul's Automotive, into this ever-growing enterprise and effectively cornered the automotive market in Oakville. "If it's automotive, we do it," he said. Ken has been the savior of local motorists for 38 years. In fact, he sold Paul his first car when he had just turned 17. That beast must have been a gem because 28 years have passed and Paul has hap pily joined the company. In fact, the additional expertise has definitively made Young's Automotive synonymous with car care. In the newly expanded 6,000-square foot centre is a team of highly skilled people that includes Ken, his son Jeff, who has 20 years experience in the trade, Paul who has two decades of vehic ular know-how under his belt and Brandon, who brings 13 years of expertise. Young's Automotive also provides in-house glass installation by Chris Potter plus tire replacement and alignment services. Sales of low mileage used and new vehicles to lease or own compliment our other services. With six bays in service and a very technically adept staff, wait time works in favour of Young's busy clientele. Which is good news because we all depend on our vehicles to get us through the to:do lists of daily life. So is while-you-wait comfort. Young's has a waiting room over looking the service area that rivals any other in the busi ness: it's clean, the coffee is always on and there's usually home made donuts, courtesy Ken's wife Bev, who's also the company's competent administrator. Young's Automotive is located on 297 Speers Rd., at Dorval, just south of the QEW Call 905-827-7477 for auto service, tires and auto glass today. . .. - . 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