BMW Malaysia hari ini mengumumkan harga rasmi bagi BMW X5 xDrive50e M Sport, varian PHEV terbaharu kepada jentera Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV), dikenali sebagai “The Boss”. Hadir dalam varian M Sport, BMW X5 xDrive50e menyertai barisan kenderaan premium keluaran BMW Group yang dipasang di dalam negara untuk pasaran Malaysia.
Pertama kali disingkap oleh pengeluar kenderaan premium tersebut pada awal bulan ini, BMW X5 xDrive50e M Sport melihat banyak penambahbaikan dari segi prestasi dan keefisienan, dengan peningkatan kuasa serta jarak operasi elektrik, ia menggandingkan ciri atletik dengan keelegenan yang pasti mencuri perhatian semasa menyusuri jalan raya di Malaysia.
BMW X5 xDrive50e M Sport baharu menampilkan rangkaian kuasa PHEV yang diperkayakan, mampu membekalkan output gabungan berjumlah 489hp serta tork bernilai 700Nm. Kuasa gabungan daripada enjin petrol enam sebaris 3.0 liter serta motor elektriknya yang hebat membolehkan BMW X5 xDrive50e M Sport baharu membuat pecutan abad dalam masa 4.8 saat. Bukan itu sahaja, keupayaan elektrik PHEV ini turut melihat penambahbaikan, menawarkan jarak operasi elektrik sejauh 110km (WLTP) dan kapasiti pengecasan yang lebih baik pada 7.4 kW, membolehkannya dicas dari 0-100% hanya dalam tempoh 4.5 jam.
BMW Malaysia has officially announced the pricing for the latest plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) variant, the new BMW X5 xDrive50e M Sport. As part of the BMW Group’s locally assembled vehicles for the Malaysian market, this PHEV version of the popular Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV), known as “The Boss,” arrives in the M Sport variant, offering enhanced performance and efficiency.
Performance and Efficiency Improvements
The new BMW X5 xDrive50e M Sport boasts an upgraded PHEV powertrain with a combined output of 489hp and an enhanced torque of 700Nm. This power, derived from the 3.0-litre straight-six petrol engine and a potent electric motor, enables the vehicle to achieve a century sprint in just 4.8 seconds. The PHEV capabilities have also seen significant improvements, with an electric range of up to 110 km (WLTP) and a faster 7.4 kW charging capacity, allowing for a full charge from 0-100% in only 4.5 hours.
The X7, BMW’s largest SAV model, gets an additional variant in the form of the X7 xDrive40i M Sport. Like the xDrive40i Pure Excellence which has been on sale in Malaysia for over a year, the new variant with M Sport enhancements is also assembled locally at the Inokom complex in Kedah.
Priced at RM728,800 (without insurance), the X7 xDrive40i M Sport – as would be expected when ‘M is added – is a more performance-oriented version. The M Aerodynamics package which adds sportiness with a slightly rugged image for the imposing model. Certain design elements get more visual emphasis and presumably, aerodynamics are improved in some way.
Ford, in partnership with the M-Sport Ford World Rally Team, is one of the three major manufacturers participating in the World Rally Championship (WRC). The team, based in Britain, has so far been using the Fiesta WRC rallycar but from the 2022 season, it will switch to a Puma Hybrid. The first event it will compete in will be the 2022 Monte Carlo Rally in January next year.
Replacement for Fiesta WRC
The new rallycar replaces the Fiesta WRC which has won three world championship titles since 2017. Since 1997, Ford has been working with M-Sport to compete in the WRC, and the partnership has a total of 7 world championship titles.
Based on EcoBoost Hybrid system
The prototype of the all-wheel drive Puma Rally1 has a 1.6-litre turbocharged engine and plug-in hybrid system with 100 kW (136 ps) additional power and 3.9 kWh battery capacity. The new plug-in hybrid powertrain will provide competition-level performance as well as the ability to travel through towns, cities and service parks between stages using pure-electric power and therefore zero emissions.
The Puma Rally1’s hybrid system operates using similar principles to the Puma EcoBoost Hybrid road car. The powertrain captures energy normally lost during braking and coasting (regeneration) and stores it in the battery pack to power the electric motor. While this can be used to improve fuel efficiency, the rally drivers are likely to use it for a performance boost – as much as 100 kW for multiple boosts of up to 3 seconds during competitive driving.
The battery pack can also be recharged using an external power source at service points between stages, with a recharge taking approximately 25 minutes. Weighing 95 kgs, the hybrid system is liquid-cooled as well as air-cooled and housed in a ballistic-strength casing to resist the impact of debris and g-forces in the event of an accident, an important consideration in rallies.
In addition, FIA WRC Rally1 competitors must use a fossil-free fuel from the 2022 season, blending synthetic and bio-degradable elements to produce an E-fuel that is 100% sustainable.
Big technological advancement in WRC
“The new era of WRC cars is one of the biggest technological advancements in WRC to date. The introduction of the hybrid means that the cars will be more powerful than ever whilst also directly reflecting the powertrains within their road going counterparts,” said Malcolm Wilson, Managing Director of M-Sport who was formerly a work WRC driver as well.
The Puma Rally1 will replace the Fiesta WRC which the Ford M-Sport Team is currently using in the WRC.
After an absence of over a decade, BMW’s legendary ‘ti’ model designation returns with the new 128ti. The 128ti is based on the M Sport model specification for the 1-Series. First deliveries in Europe will start towards the end of this year.
With M Sport specification as standard, the new 128ti is described as an authentic ‘Turismo Internazionale’, delivering on its sporting promise with features like the Torsen limited-slip differential, M Sport suspension, and a 2-litre petrol engine with BMW TwinPower Turbo technology.
Exterior design elements include distinctive front and rear aprons with additional trim such as outer air intakes from the M135i xDrive and the trim for the Air Curtains (in red).
The extended Shadowline trim with a black BMW kidney grille and dual 90 mm diameter black chrome tailpipe finishers come as standard. An even darker front-end appearance can be achieved with the optional BMW Individual lights Shadowline, which are largely devoid of chrome.
Suspension items from M135i
The exclusively front-wheel-drive model also has the firmer anti-roll bars and anti-roll bar mounts from the M135i xDrive, plus stiffer modified springs and shock absorbers and a 10 mm drop in height. A model-specific steering setup minimises torque steer while there are weight savings of around 80 kgs (compared to theM135i xDrive).
18-inch Y‑spoke 553 M bi-colour light-alloy wheels are exclusive to the BMW 128ti. Michelin Pilot Sport 4) in 225/40 R18 size are available on request.
Customised control systems
The mechanical limited-slip differential is assisted by several electronic control systems. One system that has been specially modified for the 128ti is BMW Performance Control, whose ‘sharper’ yaw moment distribution boosts rear axle agility.
ARB (near-actuator wheel slip limitation) technology is also utilised, as it is on all models in the 1-Series. This newly developed traction control system features a slip controller positioned directly in the engine control unit rather than in the control unit for the DSC (Dynamic Stability Control) system, enabling ARB to work 10 times faster.
As a result, not only is operation smoother and more sensitive, the system can also make maximum use of the potential traction offered by different road surfaces. The ARB technology works with DSC to significantly reduce the power understeer that can affect front-wheel-drive cars.
The engine is a direct offshoot of the BMW Group’s most powerful 4-cylinder unit. With BMW TwinPower Turbo technology, the 2-litre engine produces 265 bhp/400 Nm and is claimed to go from 0 to 100 km/h within 6.1 seconds.
Red to emphasise sporty character
Moving inside, the sporty character is emphasised by red accents which are a bold contrast to the black headlining. A large ‘Race Red’ surface adorns the front centre sections of the standard Sensatec/cloth sport seats (M Sport seats are optionally available). A red ‘ti’ is stitched into the centre armrest which – like the door armrests, the door panels, the instrument panel and floor mat edging – also features red contrast stitching.
The steering wheel rim and airbag cover of the standard M Sport steering wheel also feature red stitching. Standard equipment includes the M door sill strips on the front door openings, and M seat belts. The load compartment has a volume of 380 litres, which can be expanded to 1,200 litres if the backrests are folded down.
The infotainment system runs on BMW’s Operating System 7.0 with a display screen of up to 10.25 inches. Besides BMW Live Cockpit Professional, gesture control is also available and the customer can specify a 9.2‑inch Head-Up Display.
