since 1976
since 1976
BMW Malaysia started 2018 with a double highlight; presenting the Concept 8 Series for the first time in Southeast Asia and the BMW Luxury Excellence Pavilion to showcase a new brand presence and fascination for its vehicles.
The Concept 8 Series is pretty much in the final form that would be launched soon enough to take over handsomely from the previous generation. BMW has obviously strived for a more striking impression by going for new design ideas and form-building techniques to give its flagship sports coupé the high-flung status that it deserves.
This has seen to new design language to BMW’s characteristic details. The large twin kidney grille is one of them; it is located lower to the road and is spread across the front end. In taking inspiration from past coupés, the ‘kidneys’ are brought closer together to form a single large element.
Other supporting elements include the grille that widens as it extends downwards, super slim laser headlights with the hexagonal take on the ‘twin circular’ theme and the large air intakes of the front apron that serves to intensify the coupé’s wide sporting stance. They combine to impress with a ‘pure’ dynamic experience on looks alone. The carbon-fibre element helps to underline its sporty outline as well.
All this is enhanced by what BMW says is the exclusively developed exterior paint, Barcelona Grey Liquid, which is a greyish blue hue with highly iridescent pigment. This one-of-a-kind hue is believed to show off the coupé’s body surfacing to optimum effect.
Rear-wise the Concept 8 Series is seen as defining the interplay between volumes and lines that extend around the flank and shape this section of the coupé. Lending its role are the ‘powerful’ wheel arches to reflect the car’s dynamic character and denote its rear-wheel drive platform. The tapering of the passenger cell and its wide track ascertain more of its individual personae.
Striking a balance between front and rear are the slim, stretched-out rear lights that take the form of L-shaped blades to emphasise the car’s width and muscular stance while exuding an ‘ultra-sporty’ and modern flavour. Playing complementary roles are the dark, stylised carbon-fibre diffuser in the lower apron and large, trapezoidal exhaust tailpipes.
Stepping inside the Concept 8 Series, BMW refers to the ‘emotionally rich’ blend of dynamics and luxury. This is seen in the fluid styling transition from the instrument panel to the door and centre console. The sporty influence is accentuated by the high centre console and low visual focus of the instrument panel.
The tactile feel is continued by the top quality leather wrapped slim sports seats with a carbon-fibre shell as its basic structure. Merino leather in dark brown and Fjord white lends a classic two-tone ambience, matched by hand-polished aluminium spokes, a faceted ground gearshift lever and an iDrive controller made from Swarovski glass with smoky quartz.
That just about sums up the luxury classy line-up that reflects the new brand presence that BMW wants to profile and position the exclusive members of its range as a distinct product category. In its words: “These cars appeal strongly to the heart, so they are particularly well placed to enrich the characteristic lifestyle of customers in the segment with authentic, emotionally engaging experiences.”
This German carmaker believes that luxury in a car represents the fruit of peerless expertise in various fields of development. Authentic, compelling and modern luxury are seen as drawing on a well of tradition and pioneering spirit, which is rooted in its years of experience, deepening knowledge and a talent for innovation.
Thus, its flagship models are said to embody a new understanding of luxury that it says ‘brings together an emotionality defined by inspirational aesthetics and the joy of driving with the experience of freedom and self-determined individuality”.
With this impetus, BMW is focusing on the continued development of its relationship with customers, on experience and emotion, and on bespoke offerings. The target group is the one that BMW sees as being well accustomed to trying new things, taking the lead and choosing a free and independent path in life.
In this on-going development of luxury, BMW says it is building up a luxury ecosystem of unique services and experiences that embraces the full range of luxury models in its stable. The BMW Luxury Excellence Pavilion, near Mandarin Oriental, KLCC, offers this new expression and brand presence till March 7. Malaysia is the second country after Canada to showcase this vision of BMW’s luxurious appeal.
