BMW Group Malaysia today starts its BMW Innovations Showcase at the Pavilion, Kuala Lumpur. The showcase is brandishing the carmaker?s ability to push the boundary of technology in the automotive premium segment by displaying the much awaited BMW Vision ConnectedDrive concept car as well as the ActiveHybrid 3 Series and 5 Series sedans.
Introducing the cars was Dr Gerhard Pils,?Managing Director, BMW Group Malaysia. He emphasized that?constant innovation was at the forefront of the BMW Group?s remarkable success and that the company was determined to work to achieve an even higher benchmark in sustainability, efficiency and driving dynamism.
The futuristic roadster is specially designed for maximum application of the ?BMW ConnectedDrive features, which some are already featured in the current BMW models such as the head-up display. The car is practically a test bed for more technological innovations to come in the future such as advanced driver assistance, real time traffic information and more new technologies for the in-car use of mobile devices. It connects the car, driver and the outside world simultaneously. Colour-coded technology is also used to optimise convenience, infotainment and safety -?Green symbolizes Convenience, Blue represents Infotainment while Red exemplifies Safety.
Another highlight at the showcase is the ActiveHybrid 3 and 5 Series sedans. Exterior-wise, the hybrids do not possess much differences compared to the normal 3 and 5 Series except for the ActiveHybrid badges on the rear bonnet, C-pillars and side sills. The rims are specially designed for the ActiveHybrid models.
Both ActiveHybrid models are powered by the multi-award winning 3.0-litre, inline-six powertrain featuring BMW TwinPower Turbo, High Precision Injection and Valvetronic including Double-VANOS, the same engine used in the 335i and 535i. The engine churns out 306 hp and 400 Nm of torque. In addition to the powerful engine, an electric motor with 55 hp and maximum torque of 210 Nm. 0 to 100 sprint only takes a mere 5.3 seconds (5.9 seconds for the ActiveHybrid 5 Series). Certainly not your average hybrid cars.
Fuel consumption reads at an average of 5.9 ?litres per 100km for the ActiveHybrid 3 and 6.8 litres per 100km for the ActiveHybrid 5 with CO2 emissions of only 139 grams per km and 160 grams per km respectively.
The ActiveHybrid is capable of running in all-electric mode and dynamic mode. Combination of the engine and the electric motor results in extra output at 340 hp and 450 Nm of torque while operating in the all-electric mode means zero emissions at speeds up to 60 km/h for about four kilometres. In urban driving condition, the on-board processor ensures that the car makes full use of the electric motor with the eight-speed transmission providing the power at all times. If sudden power is needed, the eBOOST system can be activated.
Power electronics for the car are connected to the Professional navigation system. The on-board computer calculates route data and uses the data to anticipate how much energy is needed to to reach the desired destination, without sacrificing the efficiency. For instance, the electric motor will be used to support the internal combustion engine while going uphill on mountainous roads. Downhill, the battery will be recharged via the Brake Energy Regeneration system.
Unlike in petrol and diesel variants, the Auto Start/Stop function in the ActiveHybrid models is activated when the vehicle is approaching a stop. The engine will start immediately after the car reaches 60 km/h. And with the ECO PRO mode on, the car ?glides? with the engine switched off at speeds up to 160 km/h. The secret to this is the car uses the stored kinetic energy from the Brake Energy Regeneration system. Zero emissions at 160 km/h? Swell. The Auto Start/Stop function also operates in COMFORT and SPORT modes. These modes are accessible via the Driving Experience Control button on the centre console of the vehicle.
The retail prices (on the road, without insurance, with BMW Service + Repair Inclusive (BS+RI)) for the new BMW ActiveHybrid 3 and BMW ActiveHybrid 5 are RM 538,800.00 and RM 648,800.00 respectively.
BMW Innovations Showcase pushes the Boundaries of Technology in the Automotive Premium Segment
Premium carmaker furthers innovation commitment to Malaysia, unveiling BMW Vision ConnectedDrive Concept car and BMW ActiveHybrid sedans at technology showcase.
Kuala Lumpur, 25 October 2012 ? BMW Group Malaysia today displayed its latest technological offering for the premium automotive industry as the premium carmaker unveiled its much anticipated BMW Vision ConnectedDrive Concept car as well as its BMW ActiveHybrid 3 Series and 5 Series sedans at the BMW Innovations Showcase at the Pavilion Kuala Lumpur.
Introducing the new innovative vehicles from BMW, Dr. Gerhard Pils, Managing Director, BMW Group Malaysia said, ?Since the early 1970s, BMW has been working on the idea of networking vehicles with each other as well as with the outside world in order to realise innovative communication and driver assistance systems for its cars. Since those early days, enormous progress in automotive networking has been made to intelligently link the driver to the car and to the outside world. The BMW Innovations Showcase at The Pavilion Kuala Lumpur is meant to demonstrate to Malaysians the significant achievements in technology the BMW Group has made, and to encourage Malaysians to recognise and explore the extent of opportunities technology can offer us today.?
Dr.Pils added that as the world?s leading premium automaker, constant innovation was at the forefront of the BMW Group?s remarkable success and that the company was determined to work to achieve an even higher benchmark in sustainability, efficiency and driving dynamism.
?Apart from leading to improvements to BMW vehicles, innovation is the catalyst for improvements which leads to significant benefits to society, be it in terms of automotive safety or even economic opportunities.? said Dr. Pils.
BMW Vision Connected Drive ? The future of automotive connectivity
The star display of the BMW Innovations Showcase was the BMW Vision ConnectedDrive Concept Car, a futuristic roadster designed to allow for optimal insights into the display and practical application of future BMW ConnectedDrive features. From advanced driver assistance and real time traffic information to new technologies for the in-car use of mobile devices and more, the BMW Vision ConnectedDrive is the test bed and precursor of technological innovations to come in the near future. Divided into the three areas of safety, infotainment and comfort the fundamental concept of the BMW Vision ConnectedDrive ? the intelligent networking of driver, vehicle and the outside world ? is expressed on four levels: the display and operating concept, an unparalleled light installation, the design of the car itself and the integration of the whole concept into a multimedia experience.
With its revolutionary 2-seater roadster design, the BMW Vision ConnectedDrive supplies the driver with optimised convenience, infotainment and safety. Striking light bands in green, blue and red symbolise the transfer of information from each system to another. A distinctively BMW hood features a stylised opening designed to focus the driver?s attention to the road while also optimising the prioritised flow of information to the driver. For example, the car?s innovative new display and operating concept includes a three-dimensional Head-up Display in the windscreen, a freely programmable instrument cluster for the driver and an additional monitor for the front passenger for optimized practicality and safety.
?The most remarkable fact about the BMW Vision ConnectedDrive is that a majority of its revolutionary features are already available in the BMW models of today courtesy of the BMW ConnectedDrive strategy. Of course, there are other leading features which will be introduced in the future as we at BMW constantly seek out innovations to make our cars even better than ever!? said Dr. Pils.
BMW EfficientDynamics ? Intelligence breeds Efficiency
Also highlighted at the BMW Innovations showcase was the market introduction of the all new BMW Active Hybrid 3 and BMW Active Hybrid 5 cars to Malaysia. Fitted with the most advanced power train technology for hybrid vehicles, BMW?s Active Hybrid vehicles excel in all aspects of hybrid disciplines ? output, fuel efficiency, range, all-electric top speed, acceleration and internal space and luggage capacity; all designed and engineered by BMW to deliver Sheer Driving Pleasure to its Malaysian customers without any compromise.
?The introduction of the all-new BMW ActiveHybrid 3 and BMW ActiveHybrid 5 completes the BMW 3 Series and BMW 5 Series product line-up in Malaysia. Given the Malaysian government?s growing support for Advanced Green technology which we expect will be further enhanced with the upcoming review of the National Automotive Policy, we aim to introduce even more of our Advanced Hybrid models as well as revolutionary Electro-Mobility solutions in the near future.? said Dr.Pils.
At the heart of the new BMW ActiveHybrid models is the multi-award winning six-cylinder in-line petrol engine with BMW TwinPower Turbo technology power plant featuring a twin-scroll turbocharger, High Precision Injection and Valvetronic variable inlet valve lift control including Double-VANOS, the very same engine featured in the remarkably dynamic BMW 335i and the BMW 535i, providing both cars with a maximum output of 225 kW/306 hp with torque peaking at 400 Nm. In addition to that the BMW ActiveHybrid 3 and BMW ActiveHybrid 5 are further fitted with a 40 kW/55hp electric motor which is capable of delivering a maximum torque of 210 Nm. This allows the BMW ActiveHybrid 3 and BMW ActiveHybrid 5 to deliver performances of 5.3 seconds and 5.9 seconds respectively in the 0-100km/h sprint. The most astounding feature of the BMW ActiveHybrids are of course their remarkably enhanced efficiency, with the BMW ActiveHybrid 3 and BMW ActiveHybrid 5 consuming an average of 5.9 litres per 100km and 6.8 litres per 100km respectively and CO2 emissions of only 139 grams per km and 160 grams per km respectively.
Aside from operating in the all-electric mode a key feature of the BMW ActiveHybrid 3 and BMW ActiveHybrid 5 is the ability to deliver impressively dynamic acceleration by combining the outputs of both its petrol as well as electric power plants. Integrated into the housing of the eight-speed automatic transmission the electric motor enables all-electric driving in urban traffic, and when working in conjunction with the petrol engine provides extra power for acceleration with a combined output of 250 kW/340 hp and 450 Nm of torque. Operating in the all-electric mode the BMW ActiveHybrids are able to deliver zero-emissions while driving at speeds up to 60km/h with a total uninterrupted range of four kilometres. In urban conditions the on-board processor in the BMW ActiveHybrids ensures that the car optimizes the use of the electric motor with the eight-speed automatic transmission providing optimal power flow at all times. In addition, the cars eBOOST system is activated whenever additional power reserves are required, such as during overtaking manoeuvres.
The intelligent energy management system introduced in the all-new BMW ActiveHybrid 3 and BMW ActiveHybrid 5 incorporates the hybrid-specific Auto Start/Stop function, the ECO PRO mode as well as the car?s auxiliary air conditioning, making BMW?s first hybrid models in Malaysia unique in the premium market. The power electronics for the BMW ActiveHybrids are networked with the Professional navigation system which ensures that route data is saved by the on-board computer and are used to anticipate impending energy needs to ensure optimum performance and efficient interaction between the combustion engine and the electric drive on a customer?s regular drive routes. For example, the deployment of the electric motor on mountainous roads will be matched to select performance management data based on the driver?s previous routes. Uphill, maximum use can be made of stored energy to support the petrol engine while on the subsequent downhill portion of the drive the high-performance lithium-ion battery will be recharged via the Brake Energy Regeneration system for maximum efficiency. Even on level terrain, the system anticipates energy use to provide maximum efficiency; if the destination is in an urban area, the high-performance battery is charged sufficiently ahead of arrival to ensure that the final part of the drive can be covered on electrical energy alone.
Unlike in petrol and diesel variants, the Auto Start/Stop function in BMW ActiveHybrid models is activated when the vehicle is approaching a stop, and depending on the charge in the high-performance battery or its acceleration requirement, the engine will restart immediately after a stop or once the vehicle reaches 60km/h. With ECO PRO mode activated, drivers can also experience the vehicle ?gliding? with the internal combustion engine switched off at speeds up to 160km/h. The petrol engine is deactivated during this process, resulting in zero-emissions while the vehicle uses the stored kinetic energy thanks to the Brake Energy Regeneration technology. The Hybrid specific Auto Start/Stop function also operates in COMFORT and SPORT modes at speeds up to 80 km/h. Drivers are able to activate these different driving modes via the Driving Experience Control button on the centre console of the vehicle.
?Our proactive introduction of sustainable and highly advanced green technology alternative vehicles to the Malaysian market has proven to be a key factor of our growing success as it has enabled us to serve a market which is becoming ever increasingly conscious of the need to conserve resources and the environment. The introduction of the BMW ActiveHybrids is set to further enhance our wildly successful BMW EfficientDynamics strategy here in Malaysia which began with the introduction of our range of BMW Advanced Diesel models in 2009, that now comprise around 20% of our total sales volume and is but a taste of even more Advanced Green Technology solutions to be introduced to the market by BMW in the near future,? said Dr. Pils.
The retail prices (on the road, without insurance, with BMW Service + Repair Inclusive (BS+RI)) for the new BMW ActiveHybrid 3 and BMW ActiveHybrid 5 are
BMW ActiveHybrid 3 ? RM 538,800.00
BMW ActiveHybrid 5 ? RM 648,800.00
?Advanced Green Technology ? An economic opportunity for Malaysia
During the BMW Innovations Showcase Dr. Pils further highlighted the need for Malaysia to make strong and proactive steps to move the nation?s automotive industry further up the green technology and sustainability chain, both in terms of encouraging the adoption of sustainable alternatives amongst consumers and as a matter of evolving automotive and industrial policies.
He added, ?Malaysia must appreciate that the emerging strengths of the automotive industries in both Indonesia and Thailand are a threat to our regional and global competitiveness as an automotive player. We must be proactive in countering these emerging threats and a key means to achieve this would be to focus the nation?s efforts towards becoming a Regional Automotive Hub for the manufacture and assembly of Advanced Clean and Green Technology throughout the industry supply chain.
While the Malaysian government has begun to provide import and excise duty exemptions for Electric as well as Hybrid vehicles, the framework of existing policies remains restrictive as they are limited to vehicles with engine capacities below 2,000 cc in capacity. BMW Group Malaysia believes that for the full benefits of new and green technologies to be fully appreciated and adopted the exemptions must be extended to all vehicles that utilise such technologies regardless of engine size but with efficiency and emission reductions as its main criteria. This would encourage early adoption by all consumer segments as well as the entire automotive industry supply chain.
Members of the public who are keen to learn more about the BMW Innovation Showcase are welcome to visit the public showcase which will be held at Pavilion Kuala Lumpur from the 23rd to 28th of October.
Further information about the BMW Innovation Showcase is available at www.bmw.com.my.
Source: http://www.wemotor.com/blog/2012/10/bmw-innovations-showcase-unveils-activehybrid-3-and-5-series/
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