since 1976
since 1976
BMW Malaysia has kicked off the Ox Year with multiple car and motorcycle launches at the new Persiaran TRX, Tun Razak Exchange, probably to cover all the bases in these pandemic times. We would look at the two new BMW passenger vehicles here, one catering to those desiring a higher drive height as in a luxury SUV (sport utility vehicle) in the X7 and the other to those wanting a strong and dynamic drive in the latest 430i Coupé.
The X7 Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV), that’s the name BMW prefers to use, comes in the xDrive40i Pure Excellence and is locally assembled. It is a sizeable BMW to behold, helped by the ‘massive front’ with an equally ‘imposing’ kidney grille that has its contrast in the slender BMW Laserlight headlamps, capable of illuminating the road and everything on it up to 600 metres. Supplementing that are the LED (light emitting diode) fog lamps and head beam assistant.
BMW points out that the X7’s dimensional presence is also impressed upon from a lateral perspective with the ‘near-vertical shoulder line that visually elongates’ this SAV from front to rear. Playing their part are the 21-inch light alloy wheels in Y-spoke style 753 Bicolour with runflat tyres as standard. This model variant has a fully electric tailgate with Comfort Access feature (to allow remote opening and closing) and the usual two large rectangle tailpipes to signal some powerful vibes.
And this locally assembled X7 xDrive40i wouldn’t disappoint on power either with the 3.0-litre (2998cc) six-cylinder in-line engine churning out 250kW (340hp) and 450Nm. That translates to a 0-100km/h sprint in 6.1 seconds, a combined fuel consumption of 9.5 l/100km (10.5km/l) and a combined carbon emission of 218g/km.
Engine output goes to all four wheels via an eight-speed Steptronic Sport transmission. The xDrive ‘intelligent’ all-wheel-drive system operates to maximise traction, agility and handling stability by linking up with the Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) system. This variant comes with a two-axle air suspension and with the DSC, vehicle load registered by the air suspension sensors could be factored into the vehicle’s braking modulation.
Like the imported variant, the locally assembled X7 xDrive40i Pure Excellence has the innovative Executive Drive Pro with active roll stabilisation. Ride comfort is further enhanced by the Dynamic Damper Control system, which could process data from the navigation system and front camera.
The luxury theme is reflected in the interior through what BMW calls the ‘opulent Crafted Clarity’ handmade diamond-cut trim element and a range of standard equipment that includes a sport leather steering wheel and electrically adjusted comfort seats with active seat ventilation in front,
The BMW Live Cockpit Professional with BMW Operating System 7.0 combines the digital, user-configurable 12.3-inch instrument cluster with an equally large central Control Display with touchscreen functionality. Other niceties are the Head-Up Display and voice-controlled BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant and BMW Gesture Control.
Just as welcomed are the Welcome Light Carpet feature, five-zone air conditioning, a Harman Kardon Surround Sound System with 16 loudspeakers and electric roller blinds for side windows. The Rear Entertainment Professional system is available for the locally assembled variant and the large Panorama Roof Sky Lounge enhances the spacious ambience. The soft-close function for the doors would definitely be enjoyed and for luggage space, this luxury SAV has a versatile 325-litre luggage compartment that could be maximised up to 2,120 litres with the backrests folded down.
This is just scratching the surface of course for this BMW ‘crown jewel’. There are five body colour options with complementary interiors - Black Sapphire and Sophisto Grey with Cognac Leather Vernasca upholstery and Black design perforations; Phytonic Blue and Manhattan Metallic exteriors with an all-Black design-perforated Leather Vernasca interior; and Leather Vernasca in Coffee with Black design perforations that comes exclusively with the Mineral White model. The estimated retail price for the X7 xDrive40i on the road without insurance but with sales tax exemption (that applies till 30th June) is RM708,000.
BMW 430i Coupé M Sport
This is a new BMW model that seeks to celebrate the old or rather, offer a new interpretation of old icons in the family. This comes primarily in the larger than usual kidney grille in front, a growth trend that was duly noted with each successive new models. As the latest manifestation (or ‘re-imagination’) of the 4 Series, the 430i Coupé M Sport carries the new grille interpretation to the hilt.
For us, it elicits a love-it or hate-it reaction and we are trying to move on from the latter. But to each his own and we would try and describe the new 4 Series Coupé without our reservations on the new grille design colouring our opinions much. After all, in BMW’s eyes, this model is lauded as a landmark in the brand’s latest headway ‘in the pursuit of bespoke design’.
Elaborating further, BMW says the new 4 Series kidney grille that gives it a ‘bold, new face in design and character’ is a homage to historic icons in the brand’s history such as the BMW 328. Seen as a strong statement in aesthetic design, BMW believes it ‘reinterprets the standout feature and embodies it into a sporty, contemporary coupé form’.
This ‘contemporary form’ sees the vertically-emphasised kidney grilles, which are angled forward, extending down almost to the lower edge of the front apron. Together with the large air intake curtains, it serves to accentuate the width of the low front. In design, the larger kidney grilles have an ‘ensemble of seemingly floating horizontal nuggets in matt aluminium’ for a honeycomb look that is framed by high-glass chrome.
Dimensionally, the new 4 Series Coupé is 130mm longer at 4768mm in overall length, 27mm wider at 1852mm and 6mm taller in height at 1383mm, while sitting on a 41mm longer wheelbase at 2851mm. Its sporty orientation is seen in the 19-inch M light alloy wheels in Double Spoke style 797 M Bicolour with mixed and runflat tyres, and the M Sports brakes come with blue callipers. In addition, this import model comes with M Aerodynamics Package, BMW Laserlights with High-Beam assistant and BMW Individual high-gloss Shadow Line.
Powering the 430i Coupé M Sport is the BMW 2.0-litre (1998cc) Twin Turbo four-cylinder engine with the full complements in the twin-scroll turbocharger with Valvetronics, Double VANOS and High-Precision Injection. Output is strong with 190kW (258hp) and 400Nm to ensure 0-100km/h sprint in 5.8 seconds while top speed is capped at 250km/h. Combined fuel consumption is 6.6 l/100km (15.1km/l).
The transmission is an upgraded eight-speed Steptronic Sport unit that provides optimised dynamics with enhanced ride and shift comfort, along with shorter shift times. Advanced control systems include ARB technology (actuator contiguous wheel slip limitation) that is said to enable significantly faster and more sensitive wheel slip control. Needless to say, the 430i Coupé M Sport comes with a slew of dynamic and stability controls while its identity is fully endorsed by the M Sport suspension, M Sport brakes and Variable Sport Steering.
Its cockpit exudes the desired character too with sport seats for the driver and passenger, M leather steering wheel, M-specific pedals and BMW Individual headliner Anthracite, along with interior trim finisher Aluminium Tetragon and highlight trim finisher in Pearl Chrome. And for added flavour, M-specific stripes adorn the safety belts for front and rear seats. There is also the BMW Live Cockpit Professional system with all the ancillary functions, among a wide host of drive assist conveniences. Prospective buyers would have very little to pick in this aspect.
This new 4 Series Coupé is available with four colours - Arctic Race Blue Metallic, Portimao Blue, Alpine White, and Black Sapphire – while the interior options are Leather Vernasca upholstery with black décor stitching that comes in Black, Tacora Red or Cognac. The 430i Coupé M Sport retails for RM454,800 on the road without insurance. - LPS
