BMW Malaysia has started off the new year with the addition of another variant in the BMW iX range, this being the iX xDrive50 Sport. It joins the iX xDrive40 (available in two versions) which was launched last year.
According to Hans de Visser, Managing Director of BMW Group Malaysia, the additional variant exemplifies the brand’s commitment towards shaping the future of Electrified Mobility in Malaysia, not only in expanding the product offerings but also infrastructure to accommodate a thriving electric vehicle (EV) ecosystem.
“Our efforts to electrify the automotive landscape in Malaysia has always worked in tandem with the government’s agenda for electrification, and we are set to see further developments in this aspect with our many new industry partners as well,” he said.
BMW’s experience making electrically-powered vehicles (EVs) goes back 50 years when it replaced a number of 1602 cars with an electric motor. The 1602e was developed specially for use during the 1972 Olympics that were held in BMW’s home city of Munich in Germany. Its main role was to lead long-distance runners without blowing unhealthy exhaust fumes in their faces.
The 1602e produced for use at the 1972 Olympic Games was BMW’s first EV.
In the years that followed, the company continued with R&D on EVs with a number of models shown to the public, run on public roads and largely used in real-world testing. The urgency to ‘electrify’ the range was not evident yet so attention was instead given to developing other technologies like EfficientDynamics.
In 2013, BMW began its era of electrification that continues to this day when it introduced the i3 as the first volume-produced model with a fully electric drivetrain. The i3, manufactured at the Leipzig factory, was a pioneer in many different ways. It had an independent architecture consisting of a drive module as an aluminium chassis, which carried the e-drive, the suspension and the high-voltage battery pack as well as a passenger cell made of carbonfibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP). This module was referred to as the ‘life module’.
BMW’s fifth generation eDrive technology that is used in the latest BMW and MINI EVs can trace its origins to the i3. The high-voltage battery pack developed for the model has also undergone continuous development since 2013, doubling its storage capacity while retaining the same installation space. In its final form with a cell capacity of 120 Ah and a gross energy content of 42.2 kWh, the final version of the i3 could travel up to 307 kms on a single charge.
In addition to its electric drive, the i3’s eco-balance stemmed from the choice of materials fully geared towards sustainability and resource-conserving production. It was the first BMW Group model to receive an ISO certificate issued by independent auditors at the time of its market launch, confirming its optimised environmental performance throughout its entire life cycle.
Partly recycled raw materials were used for its outer skin made of thermoplastics. The plastic used in the interior contained 25% recycled material. The textiles used for the seat surfaces were made entirely from recycled fibres, with the door panels of kenaf fibres. Eucalyptus wood from certified cultivation in Europe served as the raw material for parts of the instrument panel.
After a production run of 250,000 units (sold in more than 74 countries), production of the i3 has ended, bringing an era to close. But the farewell is also linked to the start of a new chapter in electric mobility. In a seamless transition, further e-drive components will be manufactured at the Leipzig factory and from 2023, the next generation of the MINI Countryman will be manufactured at the same location.
In the 8½ years that the i3 was on sale, it achieved a significantly higher market share in the EV segment in many markets than the BMW brand in the area of conventionally powered cars. It also succeeded in attracting additional target groups in the premium mobility offers from BMW. In the early years, more than 80% of all buyers were new customers for the BMW Group.
Many i3 owners were ‘early adopters’ and reported being impressed by the reliability, low energy and maintenance costs. They reported that the brake pads did not need replacing even after more than 250,000 kms – because a large part of the deceleration power was provided by recuperation. The long-term quality of the battery pack was also praised as there was only a negligible reduction in range even after long running times. The BMW Group took this positive experience as an opportunity to increase the maximum mileage associated with the 8-year warranty period for the battery pack, extending it from 100,000 kms to 160,000 kms at the beginning of 2020.
To commemorate the end of i3 production, BMW produced a HomeRun Edition (below) with extra features and a Frozen paint finish from BMW Individual for the first time. Only 10 units of this special edition were produced, making it a very exclusive i3. Customers who had bought the HomeRun Edition were invited to witness the completion of their cars in the assembly hall.
US-based Magna, a mobility technology company, is supporting the accelerated shift towards electrification by carmakers with its all-electric connected powertrain, EtelligentReach. This latest innovation will be used for a new model that will debut this year. The complete system comprises 2 electric motors, inverters and gearboxes, and uses advanced software to maximize vehicle range and driving dynamics.
eDrive technology advancements and the holistic vehicle development approach of the EtelligentReach achieve a range increase that is said to be up to 145 kms, or 30% compared to certain production BEVs (battery electric vehicles) in this segment which is a key differentiator in the growing electrification space.
Magna’s intelligent operating strategy controls the two eDrives: the eDS Mid+ with next-gen eDrive technologies and decoupling on the front, and another eDS Mid+ with torque vectoring on the rear. This powertrain solution is said to set a new standard in range, driving dynamics and safety.
The next-gen innovations include Decoupling+, inverters with silicon carbide technology, and a boost function for a short-time increase of drive power (eg overtaking maneuvers). Magna’s Decoupling+ function on the front drive is unique in its competitive field and helps increase range without compromising driving dynamics and safety. Increased efficiency also reduces CO2 emissions, while the torque vectoring function can improve the safety margin by up to 10% by controlling each axle individually in all road conditions, as well as significantly reduce steering effort during dynamic cornering.
“This is definitely a story where the sum is greater than the parts,” said Tom Rucker, President, Magna Powertrain. “The EtelligentReach reduces range anxiety and improves driving dynamics, providing automakers with a complete all-electric powertrain system with AWD that is exciting and efficient. We can create maximum efficiency by precisely orchestrating how every component works in concert to achieve the best possible performance.”
Besides EtelligentReach for passenger cars, Magna also has EtelligentForce technology for light commercial vehicles (LCVs) like pick-up trucks. Also using the eDS Mid+ DCU at the front drive, there is a game-changing eBeam electrified beam axle at the rear, with an electric locking differential.
This eBeam technology is a direct replacement for traditional beam axles, requiring no restructuring to existing architectures. It utilizes existing suspension and brake systems designs, resulting in no compromise of payload or towing capacities. It is thus a structure-oriented design for high-payload vehicles with continuous-duty usage, a requirement of LCV operators.
With the shift to electrified vehicles speeding up in the industry’s pursuit of cleaner and more efficient mobility, Magna is enabling global automakers to electrify their vehicle platforms with a full range of hybrid and fully electric powertrain solutions.
Magna’s powertrain expertise is supplying power to the wheels, regardless of the power source. The company is able to supply traditional products as well as electrified components and systems to automakers as they migrate their vehicle offerings toward hybrid and electric vehicles.
Magna HDT
The company will also supply a Hybrid Dual-Clutch Transmission (HDT) to Mercedes-Benz for its next generation compact and mid-size vehicles, another example of Magna’s continuing transformation in the electrification of mobility. Two other HDT programs will launch soon with other global carmakers as the company further extends its foothold into powertrain electrification.
21 years ago, BMW introduced a new type of vehicle to the world. It was the BMW X5 which very quickly established itself as the best in the ever-expanding segment of dual-purpose vehicles. It introduced high performance in a segment that had up till then focused on ruggedness and off-road capability with compromises in on-road performance.
To be a true BMW, the X5 had to be the best in driving dynamics in all conditions, no compromises. The xDrive system gave this capability. Because it was superior to any other all-wheel drive (AWD) system, BMW designated the X5 as a Sport Activity Vehicle or SAV, rather than the utilitarian-sounding SUV (Sport Utility Vehicle).
The xDrive system of the BMW X5 adapts to all types of surfaces and terrain. On the hard and smooth highway, it maximizes grip and stability when cornering at high velocities. When the road ends and the surface changes, the system intelligently manages torque flows to each wheel as required – almost instantaneously – to maximise grip on uneven ground, mud, sand and whatever else the X5 encounters.
Over four generations, the BMW X5 has held its commanding position as The Boss in its segment. Each generation has introduced new technologies, extending its capabilities. Powerful, yet nimble, the SAV term has been constantly justified.
Following on from the introduction of the latest G05 BMW X5 generation in Malaysia a year ago, the SAV range is now joined by the BMW X5 Plug-in Hybrid (or PHEV, for Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle). Like the BMW 5 Series and 7 Series PHEV models, the new BMW X5 Plug-in Hybrid has the latest electrification technologies developed by BMW.
Its advanced hybrid powertrain, a major element in BMW’s electrification strategy, provides high performance while also promoting the eco-friendliness and sustainability. This is what today’s generation of customers expect to see in a product from a responsible and forward-thinking manufacturer.
The 3-litre straight six-cylinder petrol powerplant develops maximum output of 210 kW/286 hp at 5,000 to 6,000 rpm, with maximum torque of 450 Nm available between 1,500 and 3,500 rpm.
Battery technology, an area of constant advancement, is one which BMW has leadership in. More energy is packed into the lithium-ion battery pack to give the BMW X5 Plug-in Hybrid a generous range of travel. It can also run on emission-free electric propulsion for extended periods.
The versatility of the SAV concept has endeared the BMW X5 to a broad spectrum of customers, most of whom are in positions of leadership and influence, just like The Boss. No longer is there a need for a formal image in the choice of transport for such leaders; with the BMW X5 Plug-in Hybrid, the credentials endowed on the owner confirm leadership qualities that are essential to be The Boss.
Meet The Boss
The new BMW X5 Plug-in Hybrid is at BMW showrooms nationwide, ready for a test-drive. Or immerse yourself in the X5 Plug-in Hybrid experience with Augmented Reality (AR) in the comfort and safety of your home. Log on with your mobile device at this link: https://app.bmw.com.my/AR/X5/
Buy like A Boss
– Enjoy added peace of mind with 8 Years/160,000 kms of Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV) Battery Warranty for any BMW Plug-in Hybrid model.
– Stand a chance to win a BMW i8 Coupe when you book a new BMW X5 Plug-in Hybrid online on BMW Shop Online.
