BMW Archives

BMW X & Luxury Lifestyle Roadshow Is Coming To A Town Near You!

The true spirit of X is for the adventurer who knows no boundaries, no finish line. No matter the situation, the possibilities to push courage and determination to the limits are endless much like the BMW X models with its rich heritage in defining the benchmarks in the segment.

BMW Malaysia is inviting you to Find Your NeXt at The BMW X Range Roadshow taking place throughout the country. Details of The BMW X Range Roadshow are as below:

Venues	Dates

Bangsar Shopping Centre	18^th – 22^nd July
AEON Mall Bandaraya Melaka	31^st July – 5^th August
AEON Mall Kinta City	8^th – 12^th August
Pavilion Kuala Lumpur	15^th – 19^th August
East Coast Mall	30^th August – 2^nd September
IOI City Mall	8^th – 11^th September
Sunway Carnival Mall	27^th – 30^th September

Also from Wednesday, 18^th July 2018 to Sunday, 22^nd July 2018, BMW Malaysia will once again share another glimpse into its future of modern luxury at the Bangsar Shopping Centre (BSC) Kuala Lumpur.

The new vision utilises precise, understated lines and subtle surface work for ultimate presence and prestige at the same time, demonstrates that luxury in the future will also be centred on personalised digital connectivity with intuitive technology.

For more details on The BMW X Range Roadshow please visit www.bmw.com.my or call BMW Voice at 1800-88-3000.

BMW X7 iPerformance Premiered In Malaysia! [+Video]

BMW Group Malaysia has unveiled the BMW Concept X7 iPerformance, a new icon that exemplifies the brand’s new definition of visionary mobility and progressive luxury, for the first time not only in Malaysia, but in South East Asia as well. It’s a crossover of sorts, a combination of sporty SUV and practical MPV, the X7 can accommodate six adults in its cabin.

Harald Hoelzl, Managing Director and CEO of BMW Group Malaysia said, “Luxury has a whole new meaning. At BMW, we understand this as the ability to have time for you, for other people, and for other things. Luxury is the ability to define an experience. This new luxury was first unveiled at the BMW Luxury Excellence Pavilion through the BMW Concept 8 Series early this year. Now, we are proud to once again share this vision of progressive luxury through the BMW Concept X7 iPerformance.”

Have a closer look at the X7 Concept in this video from CAR TV:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJyWtat3kQo

The BMW Concept X7 iPerformance is welcomed by the success of BMW Group Malaysia in the first half of 2018. With a delivery of over 6,400 vehicles to new BMW, MINI and BMW Motorrad owners, it recorded an impressive 11% of growth compared to the same period last year. BMW charted an 11% increase having delivered over 5,300 cars to new BMW owners in the first half of 2018 compared to the first half of last year. Likewise, MINI grew significantly by 18% with a delivery of over 550 MINIs. BMW Motorrad also enjoyed a rise of 8% with over 540 new owners.

The success in Malaysia echoes that of the BMW Group worldwide which saw a 35th consecutive quarter of sales growth with its best-ever first-half-year sales with a total of 1,242,507 BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce vehicles delivered to customers. Additionally, year-to-date deliveries of electrified BMW and MINI vehicles totalled 60,660, confirming the BMW Group’s position as a leading global provider of premium electrified mobility.

Locally, BMW Group Malaysia’s portfolio of Plug-In Hybrid deliveries in Malaysia now accounts for more than half of the total vehicle deliveries at 56% with over 3,200 new owners. It is well on its way to shaping mobility of the future here in Malaysia, from the executive segment right up to the luxury segment with the BMW 7 Series.

“The progressive take on luxury is closely linked to the number 7 in the BMW model scheme. The BMW 7 Series luxury saloon has served as a paragon of exclusive driving pleasure for over 40 years now. Game-changing innovations, benchmarking comfort and contemporary design and dynamics mark out its progressive character in the current family of luxury BMWs. Taking it a level higher is the BMW Concept X7 iPerformance which introduces the BMW Sports Activity Vehicle DNA into the luxury segment,” Harald (above) added.

For the FULL details on the BMW X7 click to download this: BMW X7 iPerformance

CLASSIC CARS: The Royal Langkawi Classic Car Show Is Back For 2018! Mark Your Calendars!

The Royal Langkawi Classic Car Show returns to Langkawi for the second time with a bigger and better show at the Mahsuri International Exhibition Centre (MIEC) this August. The Island of Langkawi will once again play host to a fleet of Vintage and Classic Cars in a one-of-a-kind classic car show and concours.

This show is the only classic car show in Malaysia to receive a royal accolade. It is organised by MY Classic Cars in collaboration with the Langkawi Development Authority (LADA). The Royal Langkawi Classic Car Show will be held from 10th to 12th of August 2018 at the Mahsuri International Exhibition Centre (MIEC) or better known as “Dewan LIMA” to locals.

The Royal Langkawi Classic Car Show 2018 will see over 50 Vintage and Classic Cars on display. In addition to the display, the proud owners of these cars will be competing for a show and shine competition that offers “money can’t buy” trophies and prize money of up to RM30,000. Two (2) special awards will also be up for grabs – Langkawi Cup and the coveted Sultan’s Choice Award, an award unique to The Royal Langkawi Classic Car Show.

5 categories have been determined for this year’s competition namely Vintage (before 1945), Classic 1 (1946-1960), Classic 2 (1961 – 1975), Modern Classic (1976 – 1990) and a new addition to this year’s show – Japanese Classics also known as JDM (up to 1990).

Visitors to the car show can also expect so see some very rare car makes and models from as early as 1925. This year’s highlights includes a display of Porsches from 3 eras – Porsche 356, Porsche 964 and the 944 S2 Convertible, a display of the ever famous Minis –Mini Traveller, Mini Pick Up, MK3 and a Mini Moke, dressed up in a truly Malaysian style.

Visitors will also be able to catch a glimpse of the Rolls Royce 25/27 manufactured in 1925, deemed as the most desired luxury car make of yesteryear. A Volkswagen Kombi that made a journey from Malaysia to Germany covering some 26,000km, as well as a Ford Capri which did a 11,000km journey (below) from Malaysia to Sri Lanka will also be featured during the show.

This year’s show is proudly sponsored by Ricca Ventures Sdn Bhd, Pickles Asia Sdn Bhd, Zeeb Sdn Bhd, Neuhealth, Zoom Nine G Sdn Bhd, Datford Classics Sdn Bhd, Unicar Auto Works and Aseania Resort & Spa as the retuning hotel partner.

About the The Royal Langkawi Classic Car Show…

RLCCS is an international standard car show aimed at bringing together Vintage and Classic Car owners, collectors and enthusiasts from across the nation and regionally especially from neighboring countries like Singapore, Thailand and Indonesia under one roof. The show is poised to be an annual calendar event after a successful debut in 2017 placing Langkawi and Malaysia on the international classic car show calendar and a premier meeting point for Vintage and Classic Car owners both regionally and beyond in the next few years. The showcase is open to the general public, with free admission from 10th to 12th August 2018.

For more information on The Royal Langkawi Classic Car Show 2018, log on to www.lada.gov.my or follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/theroyallangkawiclassiccarshow

BMW Group Malaysia Appoints Millennium Welt Kuantan As Newest BMW Motorrad Representative On East Coast

BMW Group Malaysia has appointed Millennium Welt as its newest representative for the BMW Motorrad brand in Kuantan and the East Coast Region of Peninsular Malaysia.

Harald Hoelzl, Managing Director and CEO of BMW Group Malaysia (below) said, “We see great potential for growth in the East Coast for premium motorcycles and Millennium Welt has been a valuable partner for us in delivering the promise for BMW premium experience to our customers in Kuantan. We are confident they are the choice dealership to help us further cement our position in the region, now extending the impeccable premium experience to motorcycle enthusiasts in the East Coast as well.”

Owen Riley, Head of BMW Motorrad Malaysia, meanwhile said, “With Millennium Welt Kuantan’s appointment, we look forward to welcoming more riders from the East Coast region to Make Life A Ride. The East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia with its great windy roads down the coast is perfect for motorcycle riding but more importantly, the area delivers over 50 motorcycles annually and has the potential to grow steadily year on year.”

Millennium Welt is no stranger to BMW Group Malaysia with a proven track record as a representative of the brands BMW, MINI and BMW Motorrad in Seremban as well as a representative of the BMW brand in Batu Pahat and Kuantan. At the BMW Group Malaysia’s 8^th Dealer Awards ceremony held earlier this year, Millennium Welt took home 13 awards, including the BMW Excellence Club Award.

Bryan Wong, Managing Director of Millennium Welt Group of Companies said, “As the official dealership for the BMW brand in Kuantan since 2016, we have built solid credibility with our customers in Pahang and its surrounding areas. Riding on this momentum, we believe the addition of BMW Motorrad to our portfolio of premium vehicles will translate into a higher number of deliveries in the area.”

Millennium Welt Kuantan now offers a wider range of products and services consisting of BMW and BMW Motorrad models, as well as MINI Service.

By consolidating the sales and service of BMW automobiles and BMW Motorrad under one roof, Millennium Welt Kuantan will be able to communicate a more focused brand identity to the market. This also enables BMW to serve its customers more efficiently through a more streamlined channel.

Millennium Welt Kuantan operates from the 28,000 sq ft showroom facility, capable of displaying up to five BMW vehicles and eight BMW Motorrad motorcycles. The showroom is located at 32, Jalan Teluk Sisek, 25000 Kuantan, Pahang.

BMW Group Financial Services Malaysia Set To “Elevate Driving Pleasure & Ignite Passion” With The Full Circle Programme

BMW Group Financial Services Malaysia has introduced the BMW Full Circle Recharged & MINI Full Circle Urban Explorer – new enhancements made to the Full Circle Programme, the dynamic financing programmes supporting BMW and MINI vehicles in the country.

Introducing the innovative financial programme, Harald Hoelzl, Managing Director and CEO of BMW Group Malaysia (above) said, “Customer-orientation is at the heart of innovations at the BMW Group. From our premium vehicles to our premium services, we are the specialists when it comes to premium individual mobility. The new financial programmes demonstrate this philosophy perfectly. We aim to continue leading the Malaysian premium automotive industry towards the mobility of the future with revolutionary financing and mobility programmes for the complete BMW Group Malaysia Premium Ownership Experience.”

Tobias Eismann, Managing Director and CEO of BMW Group Financial Services in Malaysia, meanwhile, said, “To support the high market demand of our hybrid vehicles, BMW Group Financial Services Malaysia is pleased to announce the BMW Full Circle Recharged campaign – an exclusive ownership programme developed specifically for the BMW iPerformance model range; the BMW 330e M Sport, the first-ever BMW 530e Sport, the BMW 740Le xDrive and the BMW X5 xDrive40e M Sport.”

For the best of both worlds, the new BMW Full Circle Recharged campaign complements the Sheer Driving Pleasure and ownership of the BMW 330e M Sport from RM 2,918.00 monthly; the first-ever BMW 530e Sport (below) from RM 3,908.00 monthly; the BMW 740Le xDrive from RM 6,668.00 monthly and the BMW X5 xDrive40e M Sport from RM 4,718.00 monthly. With every successful application under the BMW Full Circle Recharged campaign, new vehicle owners will also receive a complimentary set of BMW Life Recharged package consisting of a Fitbit Charge 2 and a limited edition HoriznStudios for BMW Board Case, 33L (terms and conditions apply).

Combining creativity with vibrant urban lifestyle, MINI sets the trend with unconventional approaches with high levels of individuality and customisation for their customers. This passion is also demonstrated with the new MINI Cooper S Countryman Sports (below) introduced recently. The model is meant for those with a knack for adventure, who live in the moment and live their lives to the fullest.

The MINI Full Circle Urban Explorer programme offers the MINI Cooper S Countryman Sports from RM 2,698.00 monthly together with MINI Urban Essential set, consisting of a Nanopresso to craft daily coffee on the go and a Fitbit Charge 2 for every successful application submitted (terms and conditions apply).

Introduced to give customers greater flexibility and assurance when it comes to financing their BMW or MINI, the Full Circle Programme offers a wide range of settlement options for an all-round ownership, delivering a hassle-free mobility experience whilst at the same time securing the value of the vehicles during the agreed tenure.

Eismann said, “The Full Circle Programme is created from the ground up to be a customer focused mobility solution to give our customers the ultimate peace of mind in their premium ownership experiences. Our Malaysian customers are very advanced in terms of their needs for financial solutions and we are already seeing a shift with trends moving gradually from the conventional, straight-line financing driven solutions where customers finance their car for 5 years or more, towards a more modern lifestyle-oriented driving experience where customers can change their car every 2 to 4 years.”

He added that with the Full Circle Programme, owners can easily experience the benefits of new and cutting-edge solutions without having the hassle to negotiate the trade-in or used car sales prices of their vehicles.

“As the financial division of one the most innovative premium companies in the world, we are here to facilitate and support the mobility movement focused on individual and corporate mobility with tailor made solutions. With the rapidly increasing demands of BMW and MINI vehicles in Malaysia, the guaranteed future value of the premium automakers’ vehicles has improved tremendously over the last quarters, making monthly instalments now even more significantly attractive.” said Eismann.

The Full Circle Recharged campaign commences today and concludes on 31 August 2018 (terms and conditions apply). The recent market developments as well as customers’ trust invested in the brands has enabled the BMW Group Financial Services Malaysia to offer the BMW 318i Luxury (above) with a competitive monthly installment from RM 2,098.00. The BMW 3 Series is the embodiment of a sporty sedan and remains one of the most identifiable models to the BMW range, and the refined monthly installment is only going to bring Sheer Driving Pleasure to aspired owners of BMW faster than ever before.

The excitement from the launch of the All-New BMW X3 (below) is also further sustained for the BMW X Family enthusiasts, where the Full Circle Programme guarantees the future value of the vehicle to be impressively more than 50% in 3 years down the road with a monthly installment from RM 3,808.00.

The BMW Full Circle Recharged and the MINI Full Circle Urban Explorer campaigns are part of the complete BMW Group Malaysia Premium Ownership experience which include:

BMW 5-Year Unlimited Mileage Warranty with Free Scheduled Service Programme.
MINI 4-Year Unlimited Mileage Warranty with Free Scheduled Service.
BMW 2-Year / 24 Month Tyre Warranty Programme for its Run Flat Tyre offering and services.
BMW Roadside Assistance and Accident Hotline.
The BMW Group Loyalty+ Mobile App – BMW White Card, MINI Black Card and BMW Excellence Club membership programme.
BMW and MINI Service Online.

More details on the Full Circle Programme, the BMW Full Circle Recharged and MINI Full Circle Urban Explorer campaigns can be obtained at any preferred BMW and / or MINI Authorised Dealership, via email at BMWGroup.FinancialServices@bmw.com.my or by phone at 1800-88-3000.

But there’s More…

RAYA@BMW

This Hari Raya, BMW Group Malaysia will also be celebrating with attractive rebates and competitive financing solutions starting from 1.22% across a wide range of BMW models, along with the BMW i Wallbox and BMW ChargeNow promotions for selected BMW iPerformance models. RAYA@BMW will take place at all authorised dealerships and on the designated dates below, with exciting activities for the family.

Dealers	Dates
Ingress Damansara	30 June – 1 July
Ingress Puchong	30 June – 1 July
Wearnes	30 June – 1 July
AB Glenmarie	30 June – 1 July
AB Kuala Lumpur	30 June – 1 July
AB Sungai Besi	30 June – 1 July
AB Johor	30 June – 1 July
AB Penang	30 June – 1 July
AB Balakong	30 June – 1 July

For more details of RAYA@BMW, visit (link) www.bmw.com.my.

Regas Premium Appointed Newest Authorised BMW Dealer In Sabah

BMW Group Malaysia has appointed Regas Premium Sabah as its newest dealer representative for the brands BMW, MINI and BMW Motorrad in the state of Sabah. Harald Hoelzl, Managing Director and CEO of BMW Group Malaysia said, “East Malaysia has long been a contributing market to our growth here and we are excited to have Regas Premium Sabah on board as our new dealer in Kota Kinabalu to continue growing our presence in the State of Sabah.”

Hoelzl (above, 2nd from left) added that the State of Sabah currently contributes over 500 vehicles to the premium segment in the country annually and has the potential to double over the next five years. “Last year, we experienced an 18% growth in our deliveries in Sabah in comparison to 2016 which really demonstrates the potential in the state.” added Hoelzl.

L-R: David Tay, Managing Director of Regas Premium Sabah; Harald Hoelzl, Managing Director and CEO of BMW Group Malaysia; Matthew Tan, Dealer Principal of Regas Premium Sabah; and Michael Rainer, Finance Director of BMW Group Malaysia.

Matthew Tan, Dealer Principal of Regas Premium Sabah (above, 2nd from right) meanwhile said, “It has always been an ambition of ours to venture in the premium automotive industry in Sabah, and representing the brands of the BMW Group is definitely a dream start. With the great ambition and challenge ahead, we look to continue serving existing and new customers with BMW Group Malaysia to further reinforce the growth and presence of the brands in the state.”

Regas Premium Sabah Sdn Bhd is a joint venture between TM Vision Auto Services Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of Tan Brothers Machinery Company (TBMC) group of companies and Regas Premium Auto Sdn Bhd. Regas Premium Auto is the authorised dealer representative for the brands BMW, MINI and BMW Motorrad in the state of Sarawak, and was also appointed as the authorised service dealership for BMW i in 2016 in the state, and last year established the first-ever BMW i public charging facilities in East Malaysa at CityOne Megamall Kuching.

Regas Premium Sabah will be taking over FM Autohaus as BMW Group Malaysia’s new dealership in Kota Kinabalu and will operate in the existing 53,500 sq ft facility located in the prime area along Jalan Penampang, offering the full suite of Sales, Services, Spare Parts and Systems (4S) for the brands BMW and BMW Motorrad, as well as service facilities for the brands BMW i and MINI.

BMW Group Malaysia currently has a network of 20 BMW, 8 MINI, and 9 BMW Motorrad dealerships nationwide. Regas Premium Sabah commences operation on 1^st July at Lot 17362, Mile 3, Lido, Jalan Penampang, 88300 Penampang.

BMW 8-Series Is Back After 20-Year Absence! [+Videos]

The BMW 8 Series has returned to the German firm’s lineup after a near 20-year absence. A two-door coupe will be the first of three body styles that will make up the range, which will grow to include a convertible as well as four-door Gran Coupe by the end of next year.

Auto Express was invited for an exclusive preview of the new two-door coupe, which is on sale now. Pitched as a rival for everything from a Mercedes S-Class Coupe right up to the Aston Martin DB11, the German firm believes it has created a car with a broader breadth of abilities than any of its competitors packaging luxury buyers expect of a flagship car with the performance of a sports car.

And the 8 Series is not just a shortened version of the 7-Series saloon with two fewer doors, says the BMW. The coupe gets a unique chassis, suspension and powertrain setup, while tech borrowed from the firm’s GTE Le Mans racer has been sprinkled throughout the car. Here’s the video from BMW…

“The first thing we started with on this project was to develop a sports car – not a sporty car,” Sarah Lessmann, BMW 8 Series Product manager, told Auto Express. “The 8 series was all about bringing perfect performance as well as new and distinctive design.”

BMW is particularly proud of the car’s proportions, particularly the elongated bonnet, cab rearward silhouette and muscular rear haunches, while it also features a carbon fibre roof to help lower its centre of gravity. The 8 Series measures in at 4,843mm long, 1,902mm wide and 1,341mm tall.

At launch the 8 Series will be available with two engines: one diesel badged 840d and one petrol badged M850i. The diesel model makes use of a 3.0-litre six-cylinder engine developing 320bhp and 680Nm of torque. The M850i is powered by a 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 developing 530bhp and 700Nm of torque. BMW says it will be capable of 0-100kmh in 3.7 seconds and a limited top speed of 250kmh. Both variants come paired with BMW’s xDrive adaptive all-wheel drive system and an eight-speed automatic gearbox as standard.

“When you talk about the luxury car segment you talk about two bookends – at one side you have elegance and on the other you have sporty,” Lessmann added. “If you look at our competitors on these bookends you have the Mercedes S-Class Coupe on the luxury side and the Aston Martin DB11 and Porsche 911 at the other…

… and there is a big gap in between, we definitely didn’t want to make the 8 series in the middle, we wanted to have it close to the performance cars.”

The M850i will be the flagship model in the range until a more potent M8 coupe arrives next year. As standard the car features active rear wheel steering, adaptive M suspension, a limited slip differential on the rear axle and a sports exhaust. The only mechanical option buyers can spec is active anti rolls bars, which are designed to improve stability and grip during cornering.

The 8 Series is also the first BMW to feature the firm’s new generation of iDrive infotainment, which is accessed via a 10.25-inch display on the dash. The system still operates by the iDrive controller on the centre console, but those inside also have the option of using touch, voice or gesture control to operate the system. It also incorporates 20GB of hard drive storage, Bluetooth and WiFi.

Given the 8 Series sits at the very top of BMW’s model portfolio it comes as standard with a wealth of equipment such as a full leather interior, LED headlamps, a Bowers & Wilkins stereo, 19-inch alloy wheels and adaptive cruise control.

Both the 840d and M850i are now on sale with prices starting from £76,270 for the diesel and rising to £100,045 for the M850i. That cost will climb eve higher with the arrival of the M8 coupe, which could ask around £130,000 from potential customers. But there’s more…

BMW M8 will be the fastest BMW ever!

The forthcoming BMW M8 will be the most powerful and fastest production car in the firm’s history, Auto Express can reveal. Due to arrive 2019, the M8 will make use of a version of the 4.4-litre V8 twin-turbo engine from the latest M5 saloon, but tuned to deliver upwards of 625bhp.

Combined with selectable xDrive four-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic gearbox, the M8 will be able to cover 0-100kmh in less than 3.3 seconds. The M5 Competition is currently the fastest model in BMW’s lineup.

However, the full M treatment won’t only be reserved for the two-door coupe; BMW plans to create M versions of the Convertible and four-door Gran Coupe to broaden the model’s appeal. The M8 Gran Coupe concept, which was revealed at the Geneva Motor Show back in March, previewed how the flagship models would look.

BMW 8-Series Photo Gallery (all photos from Auto Express UK – www.autoexpress.co.uk)

FEATURE: Malaysians, Why Do You Hate Wagons So Much?! They’re Super-Cool! [+Videos]

Wagons. Estates. Stationwagons. Touringwagen. Sportwagen. Shooting Brake. Sports Wagons. Call them what you will, but they have never been popular here in Malaysia, and that folks is a crying shame, because wagons are uber cool.

To make matters worse for the dwindling wagon market, Volvo Car Malaysia recently announced that they will cease offering the incredible V90 T5 & T6 R-Design wagons locally solely due to poor demand. As can be seen from this recent 0% GST news release from VCM, all iterations of the V90 wagon are indeed already missing from their line-up…

This of course didn’t sit too well with many of us, seeing as how we (i.e. the Malaysian motoring media) absolutely adored the V90, to the point where when its wheels got stolen right-off the car at VCM’s own parking lot, many of us took it personally and proceeded to post notifications of the theft on our own personal social media pages (we were pissed!). For the record the wheels were never recovered and it cost VCM RM17k to replace them and subsequently de-fleet the said unit, so whoever you are (wheel thief and also buyer) I personally hope you rot in hell…

It’s the weirdest thing really; Malaysians won’t buy wagons new, but actively seek-out used ones voraciously. As such, a used Mercedes-Benz W124 wagon will typically cost at least three to four times more than its sedan counterpart in the second-hand car market, as would a Volvo 245, 850 T5 & 945 wagon, BMW E30, E34 & E39 wagon, etc. Even a Toyota KE70 wagon will cost at least three times more than a KE70 sedan. In fact any wagon from the same lineage will always cost more than its sedan counterpart, even a freaking Nissan Sunny. The Mercedes-Benz W123 wagon (below) now costs about seven times more than its sedan variant locally. No, really.

And that’s the greatest irony; if no one wants them in the first place when they’re new, how is it that they are able to command a much, much higher price in the used car market? They should be borderline un-sellable in the second-hand car market, since no one wants them even when they’re brand-spanking-new right? Speaking of brand new, here’s one that’s still available locally, the Mazda6 wagon…

Now tell me honestly that isn’t simply amazing looking. Look at the lines, simply gorgeous. Defy convention folks, thumb your nose at the norm, and buy a wagon, you won’t regret it. At the very least, you’ll know it’s going to be worth more in the second-hand market than its sedan sibling.

Now have a look at this video from Volvo and judge for yourself why wagons are so cool.

In addition to the Volvo V90 above, thanks to AutoExpressUK, here’s a look at some of the nicest, sportiest and most desirable wagons out there… but first, a bit more eye-candy on the Volvo V90, this time in the latest Cross-Country guise. And no, we won’t be getting it here… no demand, remember? – Chris Wee.

And now, the coolest wagons according to AutoExpressUK, starting with the…

Audi RS 4

Fans will moan about Audi replacing the 4.2-litre V8 engine used in the previous RS 4, with a less enjoyable 2.9-litre unit, but with 444bhp, 600Nm of torque and a top speed of 174mph (280kmh) in the new car, there are worse problems to have. The interior compliments a car that has a split personality between sensible and ludicrous, but lacks the sense of theatre that some of its rivals bring. At over £60,000 it is by no means cheap – not that that is untoward in present company.

Audi RS 6

The Audi RS 6 is one of the leading lights in the fast estate world. Partly thanks to its looks, but also helped a its 552bhp twin-turbocharged V8 which will rocket you and four other passengers from 0-100kmh in just 3.9 seconds, and on to a limited top speed of 155mph (250kmh). Prices start from just over £81,000, but for that you do get a comfortable, quiet cabin (most of the time) and 565-litres of boot capacity.

Ferrari GTC4Lusso

Some will argue the Ferrari GTC4 Lusso isn’t a ‘proper’ estate, but if you consider that it is just leaning a little harder on the left of the performance-practicality balance, it becomes easy to see why it made this list. The Ferrari has a 6.3-litre V12 under the bonnet which pumps out 681bhp and 697Nm of torque, which allows it to obliterate most of this list with a 0-100kmh time of 3.4 seconds and a claimed top speed of 208mph (335kmh).

Ford Focus ST

While the petrol version of the Focus ST wagon is a great fast estate, the 2.0 TDCi is our pick of the bunch. This is largely down to the delivery of the power, with the diesel’s get up and go being less unruly and easier to put down on UK roads, but that does not mean the diesel is a slouch – the performance stats of 182bhp, 400Nm of torque and a 0-100kmh time of 8.3secs proves as much. Add to this a claimed economy of 67.3mpg – high 40s low 50s are more realistic – and the diesel Focus ST estate becomes incredible alluring.

Mercedes-AMG C63

The Mercedes-AMG C63 is a full-blown muscle car. Under the bonnet is a 4.0-litre turbocharged V8 which produces a thunderous 469bhp and 650Nm of torque (increasing to 503bhp and 700Nm if you opt for the S model). S or not, both models feel astonishingly quick and of course offer impressive levels of practicality, with the only real issue for everyday use being the firm ride. The interior is a comfortable place to be, even if it is not quite on the same level as the E-Class.

Mercedes-AMG E63

You are going to need deep pockets to drive away in an E63 estate as they start north of £84,000 – which is slightly more expensive than the starting price of the Audi RS 6. That said, the E63 is one of the fastest cars on the road, never mind estates. The latest generation is all-wheel drive and in S guise packs 604bhp and 850Nm of torque. Plus, owners get a drift mode. From a standing start it will hit 100kmh in just 3.6 seconds and go on to a limited top speed of 155mph (250kmh) – these figures change to 3.5 seconds and 186mph (300kmh) in the S version.

Porsche Panamera Sport Turismo

The Porsche Panamera is no longer the ugly duckling it once was, and the Sport Turismo is no exception. If you go for the range-topping Turbo S E-Hybrid, flat out you will be doing 193mph (310kmh)and 0-100kmh is over in a meger 3.4 seconds – wiping the floor with all but the Ferrari on this list. Even if you drop down to the Panamera 4 Sport Turismo, the 6-cylinder turbocharged engine allows the big German to reach 160mph (257kmh)flat-out and sprint from rest to 100kmh in 5.5 seconds. While the performance is strong here, practicality is not. The rear is just about big enough to get two adults and a smaller human buckled in, and 520-litres of boot space is a tad underwhelming.

Volkswagen Golf R

The Golf R estate is related to both the Skoda and SEAT mentioned in the link below (but comes with four-wheel drive), and offers one of the finest all-round driving packages you can get for the money – the R starts at around £36k. Under the hood there is the same 2.0-litre four-cylinder producing 296bhp as found in the Leon, but here it is only available with VW’s seven-speed DSG automatic gearbox. The exhaust note sounds good with a nice deep burble, which helps keep up the fun even when you aren’t exploiting the strong chassis.

For the FULL article from AutoExpress, which features a few more estates from brands unavailable here, click this link.

Wagon Photo Gallery (all images from AutoExpressUK)

BMW Group Reports 41.7% Growth In Electric Vehicle Sales In 2018

In the first four months of 2018, BMW Group Electrified vehicle sales worldwide totalled 36,692 units, a growth of 41.7% over the same period last year.

Pieter Nota, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG responsible for Sales and Brand BMW said, “We are delighted to announce that there are now over a quarter of a million electrified BMW Group vehicles on the world’s roads. Combined sales of BMW i, BMW iPerformance and MINI Electric vehicles were up 52% in April (9,831), bringing the total number of electrified BMW Group cars sold to over 250,000 and we are well on track to deliver on our stated target to sell over 140,000 electrified vehicles this year.”

Up until April 2018, BMW Group Malaysia contributed to this success with electrified vehicles, as the premium automaker’s portfolio of Plug-In Hybrid deliveries in the country now accounts for 52.7% of its total vehicle deliveries.

Harald Hoelzl, Managing Director and CEO of BMW Group Malaysia (above, second from right) said, “Our portfolio of Visionary Mobility vehicles have been developing from strength to strength here, and we now have a Plug-In Hybrid vehicle variant for almost all models which makes for the largest portfolio currently available in the Malaysian automotive industry.”

In the first four months of 2018 alone, BMW Group Malaysia introduced two new plug-in hybrid vehicles in the country – the All-New BMW 530e Sport in January, the first-ever BMW 5 Series Hybrid with eDrive Technology which was also the fifth BMW iPerformance model to be introduced in the country. The premium automaker then introduced the New MINI Countryman Plug-In Hybrid, the first Plug-In Hybrid vehicle variant for the MINI brand.

The premium automaker also expanded accessibility to electric vehicle and Plug-In Hybrid vehicle charging facilities nationwide, installing new BMW i Charging Stations at WEIL Hotel in Ipoh, the first in the state of Perak with its dealer partner Tian Siang Premium Auto; Holiday Inn Melaka and The Equatorial Melaka, the firsts in the State of Melaka with dealer partner Seong Hoe Premium Motors, and at CityONE Megamall Kuching, the first in the State of Sarawak with dealer partner Regas Premium Auto Sarawak.

Collaborating with the Malaysian Green Technology Corporation, BMW Group Malaysia’s portfolio of Visionary Mobility with the BMW iPerformance and MINI Electric vehicles are also supported by the ChargEV platform, which has a growing network of more than 270 charging facilities nationwide.

Driving the Future of Electro Mobility further in Malaysia, the premium automaker also showcased the BMW i3, the BMW Group’s best-selling electric car in the premium compact segment worldwide at the recent 2018 Malaysia Autoshow. The dynamic electric car was made available to be test driven by the public. Over 40 members of the public took the opportunity to test drive the car.