BMW Group Malaysia has officially opened its state-of-the-art logistics warehouse and parts distribution centre in Senai, Johor. This facility will function as the parts distribution hub for 23 countries in the region.
The 775,000 square feet facility is located at the Free Industrial Zone of the Senai International Airport in Johor Bharu. More than RM130 million was invested in the facility which is considered one of its kind and the first in the Asia Pacific region. It will not only function as the logistics warehouse and parts distribution centre for vehicle parts but for lifestyle merchandise of brands under the BMW umbrella, which include BMW, MINI and BMW Motorrad.
Regarding the launch, Mr. Hendrik von Kuenheim, Senior Vice President Region Asia, Pacific and South Africa, BMW Group, meanwhile, said, “The record sales performance we achieved in Asia last year and in the first quarter of 2017 is a testament to the strength of the BMW Group in the region. In that, we believe Malaysia to be a key market that supports our strategic business direction in expanding our footprint in the region. The opening of the new BMW Group Regional Parts Distribution Centre here will help the BMW Group to continue driving our vision to deliver the best in automotive innovation and value to customers in the region.”
According to the German automaker, the launching of this facility proves its commitment to serving customers in the region and ensuring that the parts supply chain is in check with BMW standards and to ensure customer satisfaction.
It was completed at the end of last year and marks the first phase of the construction of the entire facility. Situated in a strategic area with good access to the sea port and airport in the Free Industrial Zone, BMW’s new centre should improve parts supply even further. Besides Malaysia, other countries that will benefit from the launching of this facility include Singapore, Thailand, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau, Philippines, Brunei, Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar, Vietnam, Bangladesh, Mongolia, Sri Lanka, Tahiti, New Caledonia, Fiji, and Guam.
The opening of this new centre is expected to create 120 new job opportunities in the country, which is good news for us Malaysians.
BMW has given us a glimpse of the new 2-Series Coupe and Cabriolet ahead of their official launch in July this year. The automaker has sold about 150,000 such cars of the same name plate around the world but the demand is highest in the US, UK and Germany.
The new 2 Series features subtle design changes on the outside but an all-new interior with different upholstery choices. Now, the bi-LED headlights are fitted to both models as standard, but can also be specified in adaptive full-LED ones as an option. The twin headlights has a hexagonal look giving rise to a more futuristic appearance, The kidney grille is larger, the outer air intakes are now also larger and the rear features new single-piece LED taillights as standard.
Step inside the cabin, and you are immediately greeted by a new instrument display that features a black-panel design. There’s now one new leather and two new cloth upholstery options to choose from, which complement the aluminium or fine wood trim strips and high-gloss black panels with chrome accents.
BMW says that the interior feels more spacious and less cluttered due to certain tweaks that they’ve made to the design and layout. It’s more prominent features are the contrast stitching as well as the high-gloss black surfacing for the centre stack and the chrome elements for the control panels in the doors.
Located at the top of the centre stack is the high-resolution 8.8 inch touchscreen infotainment system that has the latest iDrive operating system as standard, optional navigation system, support for Apple Carplay, voice control system and a touch controller interface.
For convenience there’s a charging tray that allows you to charge your compatible smartphone wirelessly and the in-car Wifi hotspot provides high speed mobile internet for up to 10 devices. You can also insert a SIM card to expand the vehicle’s connectivity services which include Real Time Traffic Information (RTTI) with hazard preview, On-Street Parking Information and access to the vehicle via Remote Services. There’s even support for Microsoft Office 365, which will allow occupants to use a secure server for their emails, calendars, contact details and the car’s built-in Microsoft Exchange function.
The new 2 Series can be ordered with 16, 17 or 18-inch light-alloy wheels and the exterior body coloyr can be ordered in two new colours which are Mediterranean Blue, Seaside Blue and Sunset Orange. The M Performance vehicles, M240i and M240 xDrive get a bit extra kit than the standard cars.
BMW is offering the two series with a number of engine options that include three, four and six-cylinder powerplants with power outputs ranging from 136bhp to 340bhp. These engines can be mated to either a 6-speed manual or eight-speed Steptronic gearbox. And like the other cars in the line-up, the Coupe and Cabriolet have safety tech that include Active Cruise Control, a Driving Assistant, Lane Departure Warning system and City Collision Mitigation.
The 2 Series will officially be shipped out to dealerships around the world later in the year but expect more information and pictures as the launch date draws nearer.
There’s saying that “The bond between a man and his car can only be understood by those who have experienced it”. This is especially true in the case of Gabor Mester and his E30 M3. He first laid eyes on this particular car at a very young age. It belonged to the parents of a friend of his. Gabor would go out of his way to find opportunities to spend more time with it.
The E30 M3 is considered the greatest of all M3 cars, it had a light nimble chassis that was powered by a four-cylinder engine which BMW derived from racing for use on the road. It’s an amazing vehicle that no automaker can replicate again due to more stringent safety standards and emissions regulations. This is probably one of the reasons why owners like Gabor seem to cling to the E30 rather than buy a newer vehicle.
At the beginning, he made that family promise that, when it came time to sell the M3, they would give him the first preference. And they did, but to know the full story, check out this love story between Gabor and the true ultimate driving machine.
BMW has launched a new variant of its ever popular 7-Series model, called the 740Le xDrive. The new vehicle has a sophisticated hybrid propulsion system, intelligent all-wheel-drive technology and a luxurious interior suited for top level execs. The car is part of BMW’s i line of vehicles and is touted as the most advanced modern luxury limousine in Malaysia by the Munich based automaker.
Unveiling the All-New BMW 740Le xDrive, Mr. Han Sang Yun, Managing Director and CEO of BMW Group Malaysia said, “Since its introduction early last year, the BMW 7 Series has already redefined the idea of driving luxury in the premium automotive world, even taking home the much coveted World Luxury Car of the Year 2016. The All-New BMW 7 Series Hybrid with eDrive Technology will only set the benchmark even higher, offering to our customers the most cutting edge BMW eDrive technology which we have developed through our expertise with BMW i.”
There are subtle hints that can help you tell the 740Le xDrive apart from other variants, it has eDrive badges on the C-Pillars and BMW i logos on the front side panels. Based on the same wheelbase as its predecessor, the new car is the largest 7-Series in the company’s history and features tech that rival that of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class.
Under the bonnet is BMW’s TwinPower Turbo 2.0-litre inline four engine which produces 258bhp and 400Nm of torque. The turbocharger has been integrated into the cast-steel exhaust manifold for a more compact and efficient package, which coupled with high precision injection, double-VANOS and advanced Valvetronic technology offer decent performance figures.
Mated to the engine is an 8-speed Steptronic trasnmission, which aids in getting the 7-Series to its top speed of 250km/h. Working with the petrol engine is a synchronous motor that develops 113bhp and 250Nm of torque. Juice to the electric motor comes courtesy of a 9.2kWh lithium-ion battery pack that can be recharged using any electrical outlet. But, through the use of BMW’s Wawllbox Connect charger, the battery can be fully charged in under 5 hours.
The car has a combined output of 326bhp and 500Nm of torque which allows it to accomplish the 0-100km/h sprint in just 5.3 seconds, which is impressive for a car of its size. But this Bimmer’s party piece is the eDrive system that governs the propulsion system, activating or disengaging either petrol engine electric motor as and when required. When the Auto mode is selected, the engine and motor work together to deliver performance and fuel economy.
The engine is only cranked over once the car’s speed exceeds 80km/h which should help conserve quite a bit of fuel. when Max is selected, the vehicle can be driven in electric only mode, allowing the petrol engine to be shut off completely but awakened when the accelerator pedal is pressed to the floor.
The car’s suspension and driving behaviour can be altered through the use of the Driving Experience Control with five different modes which are Adaptive, Eco, Pro Comport and Sport. But what takes things to the next level is the xDrive all-wheel-drive system that operates proactively and varies power delivery between front and rear axles depending on the requirement at any given time.
Inside, BMW has fitted the Ambient Light design which includes the Welcome Light Carpet feature that illuminates the cabin and provides a sense of occasion for the occupants. The lighting system has three different colours to choose from and the car also comes with panoramic Sky Lounge glass roof which comprise of over 15,000 lighting elements.
Passengers at the rear are able to change the vehicle and entertainment systems through the use of the BMW Touch Command control located in the rear console. There is also a removable 7-inch tablet that allow passengers to change the comfort and entertainment (16-speaker Harman Kadron Surround Sound System) settings by tapping the appropriate commands.
On the safety side, the car comes with front and side airbags, head/curtain airbags for the front and rear seats, a knee airbag for the driver, ISOFIX child seat mountings in the rear, and the Active Protection System – along with other features.
The All-New BMW 740Le xDrive is available in Black Sapphire, Imperial Blue, Mineral White, and Sophisto Grey. Inside, the upholstery is lined with exclusive Nappa leather while the interior trim is finished in Poplar Grain Grey fine-wood.
The new 740Le xDrive is priced at RM853,800 but after factoring in the government incentive for hybrid vehicles, the price is comes down to a more reasonable RM598,800. BMW is offering the car with a 5-year unlimited mileage warranty. Head on over to the manufacturer’s local website to learn more.
BMW has introduced a new variant of their M4, called the BMW M4 CS. It’s a special edition M car that is positioned above the standard M and the Competition versions. It sits at the top of the M4 range and is poised to offer drivers racing-like character but in a fully road-legal car.
Built in Munich, the M4 CS’s bonnet and boot are made from carbon fibre-reinforced plastic or CFRP, which is a lightweight but extremely rigid material. Similar to the standard car, the front end has LED headlights, a large front apron with three section intakes that offer cooling to the engine and braking system.
Unique to this variant is the front splitter made from carbon-fibre, which should lower the weight even further. At the rear is the rear diffuser borrowed from the M4 GTS and the same is true for the exposed carbon-fibre Gurney spoiler lip on the boot lid. It’s rear taillights incorporate OLED (Organic Light Emitting Dioede) technology which is a feature that is only found on the M4 CS and GTS variants. Lastly, the M wing mirrors and flared wheel arches and complete the muscular look of the car.
It rides on lightweight alloy wheels which are 19-inches at the front and 20 inches at the rear. The wheels are wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres that are considered semi-slick road legal tyres but offer excellent grip on race tracks. Alternatively, buyers can have their M4 CS equipped with Michelin Sport road tyres if they don’t plan on exploring the limits on a racetrack.
Under the hood of this beast, sits a turbocharged straight-six 3.0-litre engine that has been tuned to offer 10bhp more than the one in the M4 with the Competition package, with a total of 460bhp. The engine features two mono-scroll turbocharges, charge air cooler, High Precision Injection, VALVETRONIC variable valve timing and Double-VANOS fully variable camshaft timing.
Mated to the engine is a 7-speed M Double Clutch Transmission (M DCT) with Drivelogic. The engine and transmission combination allow the M4 CS to cover the 0-100km/h sprint in 3.9 seconds and reach a stop speed of 280km/h.
The car features the adaptive M suspension setup similar to that found on the M4 with the Competition package and is optimised to offer a good balance of road and track performance. The control systems such as Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), Adaptive M Suspension and Active M Differential have been modified to suit the M4 CS, giving it the best on and off track performance that the M division could muster. The electromechanical steering’s behavior and suspension setup can be changed by adjusting the drive modes which are Comfort, Sport and Sport+.
In typical BMW fashion, the inside is covered with leather and Alcantara which offers a decent blend of luxury and sportiness. The overall layout doesn’t differ much from the standard car and features automatic Climate Control, BMW infotainment system and a sophisticated navigation system.
There’s no word yet on when the M4 CS will be made available for Malaysia but in Europe, the car should go on sale soon at a price of EUR 116,900 or RM 551,854. However, don’t expect the same price tag once the vehicle hits our shores as the various taxes will definitely drive up the price up somewhat.
BMW’s electric vehicle, the i3 94 Ah, has been named 2017 World Urban Car at the New York International Auto Show. The car’s small dimensions, lightweight construction and efficient propulsion system made it a clear favourite for 2017.
“We are delighted and honoured that the BMW i3 has been recognized as the World Urban Car of the Year,” said Ludwig Willisch, Head of BMW Group Region Americas. “This award highlights BMW Group’s commitment to sustainable mobility through BMW’s first all-electric vehicle made primarily of carbon fibre. The design brief for the BMW i3 was to create a Mega City Vehicle for the cities of the future. Today, the new 2017 BMW i3 94Ah provides more range, paired with a high-level of dynamic performance, making it the perfect urban vehicle for people around the world.”
Originally launched in 2014, BMW managed to make the car spacious and offer decent range which made it a worthy choice for city dwellers. Compared with the standard one, the 94 Ah has a 50% higher battery capacity (33kWh) due to the higher energy density of its lithium-ion cells.
BMW was able to increase battery capacity but without altering its physical dimensions. This means that it occupies the same space as that in the standard car but allows the i3 to travel significantly longer before needing a recharge. The car is powered by a 170bhp AC synchronous electric motor which is able to propel the the little city car to 100km/h from a standstill in just 7.3 seconds.
It’s finally here, BMW Group Malaysia has launched the latest generation of the 5-Series here in Malaysia. At the moment, only the 530i M Sport has been made available to order. But as a whole, the 5-Series range features a slew of tech that make it a formidable foe to the S-Class.
Now, in its seventh-generation, the new car has a comparatively different look to its predecessor. It’s kidney grille and headlights are now directly linked, a design feature that was absent on former models. The BMW adaptive full-LED headlights with LED daytime running lights (DRL) have been enhanced with roundabout lights and the high beam is now able to illuminate the path ahead up to 500 meters.
The roof’s low and sleek profile provides a coupe-like look to the car’s silhouette which will definitely be of interest to the younger car buyer. The crease below the side windows, now curve upwards which BMW claims, lends a more dynamic appearance to the the car’s look.
Following with the philosophy of form following function, there are a number of bits on the car that serve both an aesthetic and functional purpose. The air vent control in the kidney grille, air inlets and air curtains in the front apron and air breathers in the front wings have been optimized to create better airflow. As such, BMW boasts that the new 5-series offers the best drag coefficient of any sedan at a cd of 0.22.
Featuring a newly designed chassis, BMW used an increased amount of aluminium and high-strength steels in the car’s construction. And as such, the new car is about 100kg leighter than its predecessor. These weight saving measures have attributed the car with a very low centre of gravity, which should improve stability while meandering through sharp bends. Standing as it is, the 5-Series measures 4,936mm long, 1,868mm wide and 1,479mm high.
Equipped with the M-Sport package, the 530i M Sport comes with 19-inch double spoke M Light-alloy wheels wrapped in mixed sized tyres, M Sport brake with blue painted calipers adorned with the ‘M’ moniker as well as M aerodynamic components in the respective body colour, front and rear aprons, and sill overs at the sides. BMW has also equipped the car with electrically adjustable sports seats for both driver (Memory Function)and front passenger, illuminated M door sill finishers, new M specific pedals and M leather steering wheel.
Under the hood is a 2.0-litre engine that features TwinPower Turbo technology, Twin Scroll turbochargers, High Precision Direct Injection, VALVETRONIC fully variable valve control and Double-VANOS variable camshaft timing – it’s a real mouthful but is also a testament to the meticulous engineering effort that goes into new BMW engines.
This engine is mated to an eight-speed Steptronic Sport transmission and when in 530i M Sport guise, the 5-Series engine develops 252bhp and 350Nm of torque. Due to that, the 0-100km/h sprint can be dispensed with in 6.2 seconds and enables the car to reach a top speed of 250km/h.
In addition to the three driving modes – Comfort, Sport and Eco Pro, the new 5-Series features an additional mode called Adaptive. When enabled, the Dynamic Damper Control (DDC), steering responsiveness, GPS and Steptronic systems adapt to the driver’s driving style and the route ahead.
Like all BMWs, the main party-piece is the iDrive system and with the new car, it features the latest generation system which offers navigation and entertainment features. the 10.25-inch touchscreen can be accessed with the iDrive controller, voice command, gestures or by touching the display. For comfort, there is a 4-zone climate control air-con system as well as sun protecting glazing for the glass.
This time around, BMW has dumped a myriad of tech into the new 5-Series. it now comes with Active Cruise Control with Stop&Go function, which accelerates, brakes and maintains the required speed (functional up to 210km/h) as and when necessary, depending on traffic conditions. The new car is also able to detect speed limits and adjusts speeds accordingly.
As for safety, the car has Lane Departure Warning and Lane Change Warning systems that alert the driver when he veers into another lane. Approach Control Warning & Person Warning works with the City Brake function which will adjust speeds or applies the brakes when the system detects a person (for speeds up to 60km/h) and vehicles (for up to 80km/h) in the way.
Crossing-Traffic Warning Rear, is a system that warns drivers when reversing from tight spaces. Working with the rear camera, the system is able to offer an improved view for the driver and warn him when there is a potential threat of a collision. Through The Connected Mobility assistant, the car helps drivers plan their journeys depending on the their schedule.
Even the key of the new 5-Series isn’t devoid of tech. It features an LCD display and touch control panel that displays various information of the vehicle’s status and allows the available functions to be controlled from it.
The new BMW 530i M Sport can be ordered in a number of colours which are Black Sapphire, Sophisto Grey Brilliant Effect, Alpine White and Mediterranean Blue. Inside, the interior upholstery leather is of Dakota Black with contrast blue stitching or Dakota Cognac with contrast stitching. However, this isn’t available for the Mediterranean Blue body colour.
Retailing for RM398,800.00, the new car comes with a 5-year unlimited mileage warranty, free schedule service program and BMW Tyre Warranty programme.
