BMW had recently launched the XM, the first standalone M car since the M1. Whether you love it or hate it, the BMW XM is a crucial model for the performance section of the German manufacturer.
The “regular” XM already seemed impressive to us but for a car that was made to celebrate 50 years of the M division, it was actually slower than the gas-powered X6M.
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BMW has submitted more than 40 applications to register the names for its upcoming cars, including the names of its i118 to the iX760, and M350 as trademarks.
The 48 trademark applications combine names beginning with I “X,” “iX,” or “M,” followed by a number, into four-letter or number-defined categories. It’s likely that “I” stands for electric vehicles, such as the i7, “X” for crossovers and SAVs, and “iX” for an electric SAV, like the one in the current market.
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There was a time when carmakers tried very hard to prevent their prototypes from being seen and photographed. Back then, it was mainly professionals who hunted for the prototypes undergoing testing in remote places like the Arctic Circle, Death Valley (in America) and Africa. People like the Hans Lehmann, Brenda Priddy and the late Bob Dunne made a lot of money selling their pictures to magazines.
But with the advent of cameraphones and the possibility of anyone standing by the roadside taking a picture and then putting it on the internet where the whole world would see it, the thinking changed. And rather than let those people make money, the companies decided to exploit the attention by teasing the public with their own ‘spy shots’ of camouflaged cars.
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BMW has done it again and taken it all a step further with the all-new XM – a perfect combination of BMW M high performance and the innovation of a plug-in hybrid, making it the first ever electrified M high performance drive model.
Visually, there are many questions abound but to us it looks stunning. It looks like a muscular family SUV on steroids whose sleek headlights are overshadowed by the dominant kidney grilles.
Above it, sits two power domes as elements of what BMW calls an expressively sculpted bonnet.
The side view is what BMW calls a ‘coupe style with powerful proportions and styling highlights.’ According to BMW, both the 23′ light alloy wheels and the accent band make the shaping of the XM unique which creates an exclusive effect especially with the Night Gold colour accent.
Although volume matters in local assembly to justify the investment in jigs at the plant, the premium manufacturers like BMW have still chosen to assemble their flagship models locally even though the volume may not be large. Local assembly, with the incentives provided by the government, allows them to price their models more competitively than if they were brought in as completely built-up (CBU) models so it is essential to do so in order to grow volumes.
The X7, which is the flagship SAV (Sport Activity Vehicle) of the BMW range, has been assembled since early 2021 (on sale since May of the same year) at the BMW facility in the Inokom plant in Kedah. For 2023, the model – named ‘The President’ by BMW – has received updates which include cosmetic changes as well as more enhanced digitalisation capabilities.
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Between 1962 and 1977, BMW introduced the Neue Klasse (German for New Class) model range which were a great leap forward for the company. They were innovative new products that not only marked the carmaker’s recovery from its earlier financial crisis but also started the reputation of the ‘Ultimate Driving Machine’.
In 2025, BMW will introduce another range of NEUE KLASSE models and as with the original range 60 years earlier, the models will be pioneering with a technology platform that will set new standards in digitalisation, sustainability and design for electric vehicles (EVs).
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The updated 2023 BMW 320i M Sport, 330i M Sport and 330e M Sport launched in January are joined by another two variants of the G20 generation – the M340i xDrive and 330Li M Sport. As with the variants introduced earlier, these two additional ones also have similar refreshed exteriors and a redesigned interior, including the BMW Curved Display.
“The BMW 3-Series has been a consistent and excellent representation of BMW’s values and promise of Sheer Driving Pleasure. A global bestseller, the BMW 3-Series’ inherent qualities of sportiness, comfort, efficiency and innovation resonate strongly with Malaysians as well, propelling it forward as the best-selling premium executive sedan here year after year,” said Hans de Visser, Managing Director of BMW Group Malaysia.
“Holding strongly to our belief that the ‘Power of Choice’ should be firmly in the hands of our customers, we are pleased to introduce two new additions to the New BMW 3-Series line-up in Malaysia,” he said.
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The UX or User Experience for the driver of today’s cars is a very important aspect that interior designers pay a lot of attention to. Not only does it make a difference to motoring pleasure but also has major influence on safety. With the rapid increase in electronic systems and graphic displays, the UX must be as efficient as possible and also intuitive so that it makes life easier, rather than confusing.
When BMW introduced the iDrive system some 20 years ago, it gave the driver a new way to manage what would come to be called the infotainment system on a display panel in the middle of the dashboard. Instead of having an array of switches and buttons on the dashboard to operate various functions, there was a rotary controller which worked somewhat like a computer mouse.
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While electric vehicles (EVs) may be said to have less maintenance requirements compared to vehicles with combustion engines, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) – which have a powertrain comprising both an engine and electric motor – are more complex vehicles due to their electrification. They have many more electronic and electrical systems and a large battery pack.
Thus for PHEV owners, there is the extra cost (which can be high) of replacing such systems in later years. While the vehicle is still new, there is the manufacturer’s warranty to cover replacements but once it is over, then the owner will have to pay for the replacement costs.
This is where it would be a good idea to spend a bit on an extended warranty that takes over after the original warranty ends. Sime Darby Auto Selection (SDAS) offers such a warranty for the pre-owned BMW PHEV models it sells. Called +HYBRID, the programme in collaboration with Guard My Ride (GMR) and RHB Insurance, is the first in the market and only available from SDAS.
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