Founded 50 Years Ago in 1964

Cars enrich our daily lives, from commuting and shopping to leisurely drives. Even in urban areas with developed public transportation, car sharing and rentals are becoming popular among younger generations. If we look beyond stereotypes like the diversification of hobbies or young people's disinterest in cars, we find that many people are enjoying life with a car.

For instance, whether you're going surfing or visiting a hidden hot spring, you need some form of transportation to get there. Unless it's a popular spot, most places are inaccessible without a car. As hobbies become more passionate, the scope of activities also expands.



I myself only realized this after turning 30. It's also true that I've come to prefer more engaging cars if I'm going to own one. Of course, the true joy of a hobby lies in how one defines 'fun,' but BMW, a sports car brand whose motto is "The Ultimate Driving Machine," is one of my recent favorites.



Amidst this, our editorial department received an announcement about the "BMW Club Driving Lesson in MOTEGI with BCIC." It was a special event to celebrate the 50th anniversary of "BMW Club Japan," founded in 1964 as an officially recognized BMW automobile club.



Surprised that such a club had existed for 50 years, and curious about the kind of enthusiasts who gathered there, I immediately applied for coverage.

Still Not Enough Pressure!

On a clear autumn day in late September, over 200 club members gathered at the circuit from across the country. Our editorial team arrived with the BMW4 Series Coupe"420i Coupe M Sport." Surrounding the main stage were the latest plug-in hybrid "i8", the supercar "M1" designed by Giugiaro and unveiled at the 1978 Paris Salon, and successive generations of the "M5", celebrating its 30th anniversary this year.



The driving lesson, the main program of the event, was led by Chief Instructor Kiyoshi Komoda, along with instructors Kumi Sato and Yasutaka Gomi.BMW Driving ExperienceAll three have backgrounds as racing drivers, forming a distinguished lineup. First, a basic lecture covered essential skills like proper driving position and steering techniques, followed by practical driving exercises.



The program included essential exercises for understanding vehicle dynamics, such as emergency braking with ABS and slalom driving. During emergency braking, I was told, "You're still not pressing hard enough!" – contrary to my own perception. Eliminating driving habits and maximizing the car's performance not only enhances the joy of driving but also, needless to say, contributes to safer driving.



After a break for lunch, the program was scheduled to conclude with track driving behind a lead car. However, before that, a surprise awaited. To celebrate BMW Club Japan's 50th anniversary, members of the BMW Club International Council (BCIC), which oversees all BMW Clubs worldwide, had come to Japan to offer their congratulations. A special birthday cake, inspired by the "M5" celebrating its 30th anniversary, was presented along with a "Happy Birthday" song. Members from various countries bonded over their shared passion for BMW, reaching the event's peak of excitement.



Katsutaka Kitada, Secretary General of BMW Club Japan, commented on the 50th-anniversary event: "Our club was founded in April 1964 by a few enthusiastic BMW fans. At the time, BMW was a very rare imported car, but it has now become a popular imported brand, and we are delighted that our membership has grown accordingly." He expressed his desire to build the next 50 years of history as a "BMW supporter."

Car Activities as a Sport

After the surprise, the driving lesson resumed. It was time for the much-anticipated track session. Twin Ring Motegi features a course with a long straight and technical corners. Initially, instructors led the participants in familiarization laps, gradually increasing speed from the second lap onwards.



The "420i Coupe M Sport" provided by BMW for this occasion is a sports coupe equipped with a 2-liter inline 4-cylinder engine, delivering a maximum output of 135 kW (184 ps) at 5,000 rpm and peak torque of 270 Nm (27.5 kgm) at 1,250-4,500 rpm. While it may not have the absolute power of the higher-grade "435i" with its inline 6-cylinder engine, the ample torque generated from low RPMs thanks to the twin-scroll turbo makes this powertrain feel effortless, completely masking the vehicle's 1.5-ton weight. In fact, leveraging its 80kg advantage over the 435i, it feels even smoother and more enjoyable through corners.




Following track driving principles, braking was strong and brief. The line was chosen to prioritize corner exit speed, preparing for rapid acceleration on the straight. The engine, revving freely to its 7,000 rpm redline, was in excellent spirits. Acceleration was swift through 3rd, 4th, and 5th gears. This is where car activities become a sport, an experience unattainable in daily life.



The highlight of the event was a parade lap with all participating members. As the autumn dusk settled, the BMWs gleamed beautifully. An elderly gentleman cherishing his "2002" manufactured in the 1960s, a young couple who, though not car enthusiasts, cheerfully remarked on the simple pleasure of driving a convertible... Meeting fellow enthusiasts who share the value of their cherished cars, each filled with the owner's unique sentiments, is a truly wonderful aspect of a long life.



I sincerely hope to become such a wonderful enthusiast myself when I reach that age.

Official BMW Club BMW Club Japan
BMW Club Japan hosts various events almost every month across Japan, serving as a community hub for BMW users. In cooperation with BMW Japan, they also organize new model test drives and driving lessons led by BMW Driving Experience instructors to deepen understanding of the BMW brand. Those interested can access the following address.

http://www.bmwclubs.ne.jp


BMW 420i Coupe M Sport

Body Dimensions｜Length 4,670 × Width 1,825 × Height 1,375 mm

Wheelbase｜2,810 mm

Tread Front/Rear｜1,545 / 1,575 mm

Weight｜1,540 kg

Minimum Ground Clearance｜130 mm

Engine｜1,997 cc Inline 4-cylinder Direct Injection DOHC Turbo

Maximum Output｜135 kW (184 ps) / 5,000 rpm

Maximum Torque｜270 Nm (27.5 kgm) / 1,200-4,500 rpm

Transmission｜8-speed Automatic

Drivetrain｜FR

Tires Front/Rear｜225/45R18 / 255/40R18

Fuel Economy (JC08 mode)｜16.4 km/ℓ

Trunk Capacity｜445 liters

Price｜5,320,000 yen



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