Ladies Drive: BMW X2
My drive today starts in Prague’s Troja district and ends near the Prague Castle. I’ve been invited to the Spanish Hall for a luxury charity soiree. I get in the car and through the panoramic roof, I am warmed by the rays of sun, which caress the luxurious interior design.
From Troja up to the Castle
I set the navigation system to guide me to the Natali Ruden boutique in Dlouhá Street in Old Town, where I am due to collect my cocktail dress for this evening, and head for the streets in proper style.
I opt for automatic transmission, so that I can concentrate on everything that new BMW X2 from CarTec can do. But you can also drive the car manually using simple controls on the steering wheel marked with a plus and minus sign.
Initially, the dashboard seems rather robust to me, but I feel comfortable and secure in the driver’s seat, and certainly not cramped. Thanks to the wide range of various settings on the steering wheel and luxurious leather seats, I can configure everything to precisely suit me needs.
As always and like most women, I’m late, but the BMW X2 proves to be a great partner in distress. I use the traffic jam driving assistant, which is activated directly on the steering wheel, to get through the congested traffic. At speeds of up to 60 km/h, it takes over the driver’s task of keeping a safe distance and keeps the car in the middle of the lane.
In COMFORT mode, which ensures smooth and tranquil steering, I drive across Troja Bridge towards the city centre. I don’t need to keep track of the speed or navigation. This information including the speed limit in the current location appears directly in my light on sight on the windshield.
Stop in Old Town
With a bit of luck, but mainly with this car, I have miraculously recuperated some time. I try to switch to ECO PRO mode, which reduces consumption by up to 20%. This certainly comes in handy when driving around town.
I decide to dedicate the extra minutes to a quick coffee break. As I drive down luxurious Pařížská Street, I get waved down by a man who wants to help me park. Everybody who has ever looked for parking here knows him. From the luxurious car, I peruse the displays of the boutiques filled with spring collection. A beautiful jewel sparkles in the Cartier window.
I slowly approach my favourite café. While waiting, I watch the passers-by admire the design of the car I drove up in. When I return to the car with coffee in hand, I can feel their eyes on me. . ‘How can she drive in heels like that?’ I can practically read their thoughts, amused. If only they knew how easy it is in this car.
"“I don’t mind living in a man’s world… if I can be a woman in it," I remind myself of the words of Marilyn Monroe.
I approach the boutique of designer Natali Ruden. I park smoothly and at first attempt like an experienced professional. In truth, most of the work was done for me by cameras and the front and rear sensors. I get out and lock the car – just by touching the car handle with my fingers. I end up taking away more things from Natali than planned. It’s so difficult to resist beauty… Luckily, there is plenty of space in the trunk. I open it by pressing the key control, and after depositing the bags I press a button to close the trunk and head back into the streets.
On the steering paddle, I switch to SPORT mode, which generates a more dynamic response and faster drive reaction as soon as I speed up. The drive through Prague’s little streets is a lot swifter. I check the consumption after my drive today. The average in the city is around 5.4 – 5.2 l/100 km and on the highway 4.5 – 4.3 l/100 km, which is admirable for such a luxurious car.
Skidding through Strahov
The extra time is running out. I enjoy the last few moments and the Prague panorama suffused in the sunset with my new motorised buddy near my destination.
“Where is my lovely,” a message from my real partner and escort for the evening pops up on my iPhone. “I’m waiting in front of the castle. Kisses,” he writes. I step on the gas.
Not long afterwards, I park near the Spanish Hall, where today’s joyride continues. But I have to walk in on my own two feet... In the rear-view mirror, I can see my husband running up to me with bouquet in hand. I fit perfectly into an empty space while he watches me with admiration.
It’s hard to say goodbye to the BMW X2. You get used to it in a single day.
