by HARIZAH KAMEL / Pic source: bmw.com.my

BMW Group Malaysia’s upcoming addition to its extensive portfolio of locally assembled vehicles, the BMW X7 xDrive40i Pure Excellence, is poised to be a crowd-puller.

MD Harald Hoelzl said the X7 is a testament to BMW’s continued support for the local automotive landscape as they are increasing the locally assembled fleet in the country.

“The luxury car segment is highly demanded in Malaysia and there is a huge base of customers and prospects.

“The X7 is simply an SUV for the luxury segment which also gives us a very good advantage in terms of pricing,” he said at the launch in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

The estimated retail price of the X7 (on the road, without insurance) is RM708,000, which is RM180,000 less than its introductory price of RM888,000.

It is powered by a six-cylinder petrol engine with eight-speed Steptronic Sport transmission and equipped with xDrive intelligent all-wheel-drive system. Its sophisticated chassis design of the variant is a two-axle air suspension.

The X7 is offered with the innovative Executive Drive Pro, Dynamic Damper Control and BMW Operating System 7.0.

Hoelzl said the move to localise the assembly of the largest model in the BMW X range further demonstrates the automaker’s longstanding confidence in Malaysia’s potential as a regional hub for the luxury automobile segment.

BMW recorded 8,903 new owners in 2020, leading the overall premium segment in the country by over 47%.

Its head of corporate communications Sashi Ambi said they did not have a specific sales target in line for any of BMW’s new line-up, but hoped that the models will bring better results than last year.

“If BMW can have a strong percentage this year and surpass the 8,903 figure from last year, that would be great for us,” he told The Malaysian Reserve.

BMW also introduced the BMW 430i Coupé M Sport to further expand and diversify its local portfolio.

“By diversifying our offerings, we are confident there will be a right BMW for every one of our loyal customers and fans out there,” said Hoelzl.

Priced at RM454,800, the M Sport is furnished with ARB technology-actuator contiguous wheel slip limitation, which enables significantly faster and more sensitive wheel slip control complete with high centre console delimit separate zones for the driver and front passenger.

It is available in Arctic Race Blue Metallic, Portimao Blue, Alpine White and Black Sapphire.

Also in the line-up is the New MINI Countryman, expanded with two locally assembled variants — the New MINI Cooper S Countryman and New MINI Cooper SE Countryman, retail price at RM244,265 and RM254,461 respectively.

The new model is equipped with a new five-inch digital instrument cluster and an updated 8.8-inch touchscreen display with MINI Navigation System.

Available in Chili Red, White Silver, Island Blue, Thunder Grey, British Racing Green and for the first time ever, Sage Green.

Lastly, BMW unveiled its two new variants from its Motorrad portfolio — R 18 Classic and S 1000 RR.

“The S 1000 RR is the Classic edition of the recently introduced R 18 cruiser.

“These segments contributed to much of BMW Motorrad’s success in 2020, and we are confident their new additions will continue to be widely celebrated among motorcycling enthusiasts nationwide.”

The S 1000 RR now comes equipped with the Riding Mode Pro and Dynamic Damping Control functions as standard, providing a much more thrilling experience on the racetrack. It is price at RM121,500.

Meanwhile, the R 18 Classic comes with additional LED headlights and electronic cruise control as standard, along with equipment consisting of a windshield, passenger seat and saddlebags. The recommended retail price is RM154,500.