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F20 BMW 1-Series gets new powerful 125i and 125d models

January 15, 2012 at 4:31 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under BMW, Cars

BMW has announced new engines for the new BMW 1-Series – they are found in the 125i, the 125d and the 116d EfficientDynamics Edition. The 125i is a new addition to the 1-er range, complementing the current 116i and 118i, and as you can tell from the model numbers, it’s now the most powerful petrol F20 1-Series you can buy.

Previously, the top of the line petrol F20 was the 118i, powered by a 1.6 liter turbocharged inline-4 engine with Valvetronic, Double VANOS and direct injection making 170 horsepower at 4,800rpm and 250Nm of peak torque from 1,500rpm to 4,500rpm.

The new 125i is powered by a 2.0 liter inline-4 turbo engine from the N20 family – you’ll find it in the bigger BMWs such as the newly launched F10 520i as well. In 125i tune, power output is positioned in between the 184hp/270Nm “20i” and 245hp/350Nm “28i” tunes that we’ve previously seen – the 125i makes 218 horsepower at 5,000rpm and 310Nm of torque between 1,350rpm to 4,800rpm. 0 to 100km/h takes just 6.4 seconds with the 6-speed manual or 6.5 seconds with the 8-speed auto.

There’s also a new powerful diesel engine – the 125d, which slots in on top of the previous king of the F20 oil burners – the 120d. Power output for the 125d is 218 horsepower, which matches the 125i, but torque is much stronger – 450Nm at 1,500rpm to 2,500rpm. 0 to 100km/h acceleration is 6.5 seconds for both the 6-speed manual and the 8-speed automatic.

On the other end of the spectrum – there’s a new BMW 116d EfficientDynamics Edition, powered by a 1.6 liter 4-cylinder diesel engine. Note that the normal 116d is powered by a 116hp/260Nm 2.0 liter 4-cylinder diesel engine. The 116d EfficientDynamics Edition’s 1.6 liter turbodiesel does the exact same output at the same RPMs – makes me wonder why the regular 116d continues with a 2.0 liter. It consumes just 3.8 liters per 100km with its sole option of a 6-speed manual transmission, and hits 100km/h in 10.5 seconds.

BMW has also finally officially offered the F20′s M Sports package for sale, though pictures of the M Sports F20 was released together with the official press kit when the F20 was first revealed to the world. Other than just the bodykit and interior enhancements, the M Sports package also includes the M Sports suspension lowered by 10 millimetres with tighter spring/shock absorber settings and harder anti-roll bars, and an optional M Sports brake kit which consists of aluminium multi-piston fixed calipers finished in dark blue metallic bearing the BMW M logo and 17-inch lightweight construction brake discs.

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Auto Bavaria Sg. Besi teams up with Leica for a special event this weekend!

January 7, 2012 at 8:31 am By Harvinder Sidhu Filed Under Advertorial, BMW, Cars, Local News

Something special will be going on this weekend at the Auto Bavaria Sg. Besi branch! Leica, the famous German optics company that has been established since 1913 will be teaming up with the BMW authorized dealer for a unique showroom experience.

The event which is open to public will showcase a special Leica studio whereby visitors can get their photographs taken with a BMW, and get it printed on the spot. These photographs will be taken with Leica’s top of the line cameras which can cost approximately RM120,000.

Not only that, there will also be special promotions for selected BMW models, for both new and pre-registered units in conjunction with the Chinese New Year celebrations. Another interesting thing to note is that the latest 520i and 528i M Sport models will be on display and available for test drive as well.

Both of these models are powered by BMW’s 2.0 liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine. For more information, please call 03-9223 3200.

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BMW Vision EfficientDynamics Concept on display at Ingress Auto’s showroom until January 9

January 6, 2012 at 7:48 pm By Anthony Lim Filed Under BMW, Cars, Local News

If you’ve been keen to see what the BMW Vision EfficientDynamics Concept looks like in the flesh, here’s your chance to do so over the weekend, if you happen to be in the Klang Valley, that is.

The car – which was featured in Mission Impossible – Ghost Protocol – is on display at BMW dealership Ingress Auto’s showroom from today until Monday, January 9. Unfortunately, you won’t get to see the car on the move, for it’s just a full-sized static model, but the display is still an impressive sight. Head on over to Ingress, which is located in Sungai Penchala, or call 03-7721 2288 for details.

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BMW appoints Wearnes as dealer, first 4S in Segambut

January 6, 2012 at 11:43 am By Danny Tan Filed Under BMW, Cars, Local News

BMW Group Malaysia today announced the appointment of Wearnes Autohaus as the latest BMW dealer in the Klang Valley area. The new BMW dealership started operations today at its 4S (Sales, Services, Spare Parts and Systems) facility in Segambut. Wearnes Autohaus is a wholly owned subsidiary of Wearnes Automotive, an old name in the auto industry.

“It is a privilege for BMW Group Malaysia to welcome to our dealership network a new business partner as established as Wearnes Automotive who have had vast experiences and successes in the automotive segment here in Asia,” said Geoffrey Briscoe, MD of BMW Group Malaysia, who added that Segambut and its surrounding area are key vicinities for the Premium segment as the area has the potential for the delivery of over 300 cars as well as over RM10 million in aftersales parts and services turnover annually.

The Wearnes Autohaus dealership houses a main showroom, sales office, spare parts centre and service workshop with a 14 service bay capacity. In the past five years, BMW Group Malaysia has undertaken several dealership initiatives which include establishing new BMW, MINI and BMW Motorrad dealerships, refurbishing existing dealerships, the introduction and expansion of BMW Premium Selection (authorised pre-owned cars) as well as the establishment of BMW Body & Paint workshops across Malaysia.

The Wearnes Autohaus BMW 4S Centre is located at 39, Jalan 2/57B, Jalan Segambut Tengah. For more info, call them at 03-6259 8221 or BMW Voice at 1800-88-3000.

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BMW 5 Series now with four-cylinder turbo engines in Malaysia – 520i and 528i M Sport wear the new mills

January 5, 2012 at 11:49 am By Anthony Lim Filed Under BMW, Cars, Local News

BMW Malaysia has announced the arrival of new petrol variants for the 5 Series, featuring the new 2.0 litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine in two different outputs. The new engine, which features twin-scroll turbocharging, Valvetronic variable valve control and Double-VANOS variable camshaft control, finds its way into the new 520i and 528i M Sport models.

The 520i’s motor turns out 184 hp and 270Nm of torque, and performance figures for the car include a 0-100 km/h time of 8.0 seconds and a 226 km/h top speed, as well as a claimed 6.4 litres per 100 km fuel economy.

Meanwhile, the TwinPower Turbo technology powerplant on the 528i M Sport offers 245 hp and 350Nm, and the extra horses translate to a 0-100 km/h time of 6.3 seconds and a 250 km/h top speed, with little sacrifice to claimed average fuel consumption – the car supposedly does 6.8 litres per 100 km.

As before, there’s the usual dollop of features and kit, with Brake Energy Regeneration, electromechanical steering and an 8-speed automatic transmission as standard, and the Auto Start/ Stop function now features across the model range.

Additionally, all the new variant entries also reflect upgraded equipment in its Driving Experience Control, which is the button located on the centre console that enables the driver to adjust mode settings for the vehicle’s accelerator, engine, steering, transmission, suspension system and traction control.

The modes available include COMFORT+, COMFORT, SPORT, SPORT+ and, for the first time, ECO PRO mode as standard. ECO PRO mode, which can help the driver to achieve fuel savings of up to 20%, depending on their individual style of driving, automatically optimises the vehicle’s drivetrain, heating and air conditioning strategy, as well as other electric comfort functions. It ensures fuel efficient throttle operation by dampening your throttle input so heavy footed people can drive fuel efficiently.

These new drive modes replace the old COMFORT, NORMAL, SPORT and SPORT+ modes. Essentially COMFORT has been renamed to COMFORT+, and NORMAL has been renamed to COMFORT.

The two new petrol new variants are joined by the improved 520d sedan, which offers 184 hp, 380Nm and 8.1 seconds for the century sprint and a 225 km/h top speed for numbers.

Price-wise, the 520i rolls in at RM358,800, while the 528i M Sport goes for RM409,800 and the 520d is priced at RM333,800, all on-the-road, without insurance, with BMW Service Inclusive + Repair (BS+RI). The new cars will be in all BMW showrooms from this weekend onwards.

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Reports: MINI Cargo commercial van heading to Geneva

January 3, 2012 at 12:41 pm By Danny Tan Filed Under BMW, Cars, International News

Trendy European businesses who need a small van but don’t want the image of an Opel Astravan or Peugeot 207 Van will have a good choice soon. German car rag Auto Motor und Sport reports that BMW’s MINI brand will unveil a new member of the bug eyed family at the Geneva Motor Show in March.

According to them, the new commercial van variant will be called MINI Cargo. It won’t be an all new bodystyle, but will be based on the current Clubman, which is an elongated MINI hatchback with barn style doors. As with other supermini based vans, the rear seats will be removed to make way for a flat load floor. Another trademark of these vehicles are blocked off rear windows.

Not likely to reach our market, where the MINI is a luxury toy for the wealthy, as opposed to a (stylish) mass market common car in its home continent.

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BMW 1-Series three-door hatchback patent filings leaked

December 30, 2011 at 10:43 am By Danny Tan Filed Under BMW, Cars, International News, Spyshots

The new BMW 1-Series with the codename F20 was unveiled back in June, but only in five-door hatchback form. Now, here are some patent filings to show us how the three-door hatchback variant will look like.

No big departure from the 5dr, which is expected. Measurements should be unaltered, too. The 1er is both longer and wider than its predecessor, while wheelbase has grown by 30 mm to make 2,690 mm. Taken bare, the wheelbase is quite long, but because of the 1-Series’ unique cab rearward RWD layout, cabin space should be more snug than a typical C-segment hatchback.

BMW launched the 5dr with two different trim levels – Sport Line and Urban Line. Will the 3dr come with the same option, or will it be just Sport? Click here for more pics and info on the F20 1-Series.

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VIDEO: Designing the new F30 BMW 3-Series

December 25, 2011 at 3:27 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under BMW, Cars

BMW produced this video showing a series of interviews with BMW head of exterior design Karim Habib, BMW 3-Series exterior designer Christopher Weil and BMW 3-Series interior designer Christian Bauer, where they talk about the design process of the car.

During the video you will hear Mr Weil talk about a “competition”. I’ve covered BMW’s design process in a previous story on how the F10 5-Series was designed, but I’ll do a short recap here. First, the features and requirements of a new model is defined in a “Package Plan” right from the beginning – usually about 5 years before the planned production start. It is during this initial phase that the designers start creating the first few scale models and renderings.

Then, all the exterior designers come up with their own personal drafts and designs on how they think the car should look like. This is where the “competition” comes in – it’s a creative contest of sorts, done under the guidance of the Head of BMW Group Design. A few clay models based on these drafts are made and in an elimination process by the board, these drafts are eliminated one by one until finally the end result is selected.

By this point, 2 years have passed and the final choice between the final two clay models is made about three years before the intended start of production. Enjoy the video.

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BMW: The Fastest Christmas Card in the World!

December 25, 2011 at 2:42 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under BMW, Cars

Hope everyone’s enjoying their Christmas/year end holidays so far. In the spirit of the season, BMW made a video of an artist trying to draw a Christmas card motif, while strapped in a crazy BMW M5 going sideways. The result is a pretty much random mash of colorful lines, which they call the “Fastest Christmas Card in the World”. Enjoy the video!

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Auto Bavaria ends 2011 with special Christmas deals for the E90 3-Series and F10 5-Series

December 15, 2011 at 5:55 pm By Harvinder Sidhu Filed Under Advertorial, BMW, Cars, Local News

We are just a few weeks away from the start of a brand new year and Auto Bavaria has geared to end 2011 with special Christmas deals for the E90 3-Series and F10 5-Series range. This special deal is made up by attractive discounts for pre-registered units of the 3er and brand new ones for the 5er.

All in all, a total of 30 specially-priced units are up for grabs. This offer is valid till 31st December and you can visit any Auto Bavaria branch for more information, including the Sungai Besi outlet with Christmas caroling performances this Saturday at 1.00pm and Sunday at 2.00pm.

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