The ultimate driving machine

These cars have always been known for their unconventional demeanour and purist driving dynamics. I'm talking about top-of-the Indian line 325i BMW. Is it the ultimate driving machine on the Indian roads, well let me take a look and tell you.

Up close, BMW personifies grace, power and beauty. Chris Bangle's trademark curves and bends draw you in. The snout, flared nostril, wheel arches and muscular bodiyline gives you a sense of motion even when it is completely static. Poets could write poetry about this car but since I'm not one, all I have to say is that I'm loving it!

This car just comes into its own on expressways and highways. The body control is fabulous, the steering just gives you amazing response - you never feel unsettled or out of control around corners and the grip is so good - it feels like it's scotch-taped to the road and you feel you can do anything with this car. Driving up or down a ghat with this one is a pure pleasure.

This top-end 217 bhp version is churning out 246 nm of torque. It's fast yet hunkered down. Flowing yet rooted. Ferocious yet tamed. It comes up to hundred pretty quickly - so quick that if you didn't look, you won't guess.

Shifting through the five-speed gearbox is seamless and for speed geeks like me, there is always the triptronic mode. The sporty exhaust can be trippy too.

The interiors of the car is very sporty and functional, it has got a good solid German feel about it. The famed i-Drive is there and is quite complicated and I would suggest, you sit down with a manual, get a grip of what it is and then use it. Don't try to do it on the move.

But the little gizmos I like in this car is a cupholder, which slides out at a touch of a button and this angles so perfectly towards the driver, that you never have to turn or look away. So, you can enjoy that cup of coffee on nice long drives. There are also TV channels to keep you entertained.

There is also the ABS, DSC, CBC, DBC and airbags which will work to keep you safe on the road. This car is a clutter-breaker, both outside and inside, it's incredibly poised. The AC works sliently and is ruthlessly efficent. The automatic gearbox was easy while driving in the city, never shifting up too early or staying in gear too long, especially in heavy traffic.

This car takes on an entirely different nature in the city. Though the steering is variable and gets lighter in low speeds and heavier in high speeds, it still feels heavier in the city and not so nice to nip in and out of traffic and the ride does feel hard edged. You do hear the thump over potholes. But it's still quite composed and quite like the firmer feel but if you are loking for a luxury ride, then a Mercedes would definitely be better.

Confused? Let me explain, The ride is hard but composed and it does not jar the rear seat, which can take as many as three people comfortably. It offers good support and a long journey would be an easy one. There are many other cars with a sports-luxury compromise but the BMW will tug at your heartstrings, begging you to drive it.

This is great luxury car and it has got space. However, if you are someone who enjoys the backseat much more, then veer towards the Mercedes. But is this the ultimate driving machine - yes, I think so.