BMW’s Vision Impossible now a reality

“BMW i’s arrival in Singapore marks the beginning of a new mobility chapter for the island nation and one that will revolutionize the way people drive.”

BMW Group Asia flexed its automotive might recently when it staged BMW World 2014, one of the largest automotive brand showcases ever held in the region.

Dubbed as “Stories in Motion,” the event was held on over 6,000 square meters of exhibition floor space showcasing over 60 BMW and MINI current-model vehicles and concept cars as well as highly collectible classic cars and motorbikes at the Marina Bay Sands Convention Center in Singapore last Aug. 1 to 3.

BMW Group Asia officially launched the BMW i-series subbrand at the same event, debuting the BMW i3 and the BMW i8 plug-in hybrid sports car in the Singapore market.

Aside from the i3 and i8, among the new models from the BMW lineup were the BMW M3, M4, X4 and the 4 Series Gran Coupé. The BMW concept vehicles showcased were the Pininfarina Gran Lusso Coupé, Vision Connected Drive, Concept Roadster bike. The event also had a special preview of the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer and BMW C Evolution bike, and unveiled the MINI Clubman Concept and MINI John Cooper Works Concept vehicles as well as its current lineup of models.

“Over the past 98 years, the BMW Group has shaped progress, overcome challenges and inspired our customers  with our advanced technology and precision. During this journey, we created a unique history that has defined and made us who we are today. BMW World 2014-Stories in Motion is an interactive event that has been specially put together to tell the insightful stories by taking us through the past, present and future of BMW and MINI,” said Sergio Solero, managing director of BMW Group Asia. “Of the many stories that will be told at this event, the most intriguing one will have to be about BMW i-the Future of Mobility. BMW i’s arrival in Singapore marks the beginning of a new mobility chapter for the island nation and one that will revolutionize the way people drive.”

THE BEAUTIFUL Pininfarina-designed Gran Lusso Coupe. Photos by Alvin Uy

BMW Group Asia further announced that together with Singaporean BMW distributor Performance Motors Ltd. (PML), they are investing more than Singapore $5 million  to provide the proper organization, facilities, infrastructure and resources to ensure the viable distribution of its i3 and i8 models.  Considered as the biggest investment ever made in Singapore for an electric vehicle initiative program, the facilities will include capabilities to conduct carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP) repair and high-voltage, lithium-ion battery maintenance—the two major components  being required in servicing BMW i vehicles.

‘Greening’ of motoring

“PML is immensely honored to be selected to exclusively represent the new iconic BMW i electric vehicles here in Singapore. Our fast-paced world is evolving so rapidly that we are now entering an audacious new era in sustainable mobility and we are proud to be a part of the global effort to reduce the carbon footprint collectively. BMW i brings to life the BMW’s cutting-edge knowledge of EV high-voltage battery technology and CFRP expertise. Our substantial investment in time and resources to train all our staff and equip our service centers for BMW i further demonstrates our commitment to the global  ‘greening’ of motoring,” said Say Kwee Neng, managing director of PML.

Additionally to serve the i3 and i8 owners, it has launched the comprehensive 360-degree ELECTRIC, an all-rounded portfolio of services to include home and public charging, assistance services, and a flexible mobility system that comes standard with every BMW i vehicle to help customers overcome the perceived barriers of owning an electric vehicle (EV).

Test riding the BMW i3

THE NEW BMW i3 is the world’s first premium-segment model to run purely on electric power.

The new BMW i3 is the world’s first premium-segment model to run purely on electric power. Its layout and design proportions are meant for urban use with nimble driving characteristics.  Inside the cabin, one cannot hear any engine or motor noise due to an electric motor that generates a maximum output of 170 horsepower and peak torque of 250 Newton-meters. It can reach 0-60 kilometers per hour  in a mere 3.7 seconds, and a 0-100-kph sprint in 7.2 seconds, faster than most internal combustion engine-powered cars on the road today.  Getting in and out of the vehicle is also easy thanks to its pillar-less combination of conventional front doors and rear suicide doors.

Its power is channeled to the rear wheels with a single-speed transmission using energy from lithium-ion storage cells integrated into the car’s underfloor section. This layout significantly lowers its center of gravity, giving the car an even more agile handling. The i3 model for Singapore comes standard with the Range Extender (REX). The REX includes a 650-cc, two-cylinder, 34-HP petrol combustion engine that is mounted adjacent to the electric motor above the rear axle, extending the driving range to about 300 kilometers.

Aside from an effective combination of electric motor and combustion engine, BMW designed the i3 to be lightweight, but still having a strong shell using an alchemy of aluminum and CFRP. Carbon fiber components weigh 50 percent less than steel and yet  five times stronger. Just a decade ago, carbon fiber is only used for high-technology, non road-going vehicles like Formula One race cars.

Vision Impossible a reality

The BMW i8 made a Hollywood debut in Tom Cruise’s “Mission Impossible 3”  and is the world’s first sports car to be purpose-built with sustainability in mind. This two-plus-two seater has the look and dimensions typical of super sportscar proportions. With this car, BMW has effectively rewritten the books on building a supercar. With sustainability as the new “premium,” the BMW i8 embodies a revolutionary, future-focused interpretation of what the ultimate driving machine is all about.

Essentially, it is a purpose designed, plug-in hybrid sports car that offers agile supercar performance but with outstanding efficiency. Its exceptionally lightweight and aerodynamically optimized body is made of CFRP and matted with an advanced BMW eDrive drive system technology and a compact turbocharged, three-cylinder, 1.5-liter petrol engine using BMW’s TwinPower Turbo technology and an intelligent energy management that is a quantum leap compared to today’s hybrids.

Despite the challenging three-cylinder engine design, the BMW i8’s combustion engine packs a walloping 231 HP that drives its rear wheels, while its 131-HP electric motor sends its power to the front axle. Its lithium-ion battery pack can be charged from a conventional domestic power socket and this bespoke plug-in hybrid system has a range of up to 37 km.

This all-wheel driving experience is defined by its powerful acceleration and can sprint from 0 to 100 kph in just 4.4 seconds, with a consumption of just 2.1 liters per 100 km plus 11.9 kWh of electricity. This equates to carbon dioxide emissions of 49 grams per km (based on average EU test cycle).

Just like the i3, its LifeDrive system, developed for the BMW i vehicles, is a combination of a unique range of architecture that utilizes intelligent lightweight design and safety. Its kerb weight just stands at 1,485 kilograms, and with the battery unit positioned low down in a central position, it allows the i8 to have a center of gravity less than 460 mm from the ground, making it lower than any other current BMW Group model. Combined with an almost 50:50 weight distribution, the i8 offers excellent handling properties. With a highly efficient combustion engine and electric motor, combined with state-of-art battery packs, power electronics, chassis components, it offers a driving experience like no other.

Aside BMW and MINI, the BMW Group also owns ultraluxury carmaker Rolls-Royce, and is the world’s leading premium manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles with 28 production and assembly facilities in 13 countries, and has a global sales network that spans in more than 140 countries. In 2013, the BMW Group sold approximately 1.963 million cars and 115,215 motorcycles worldwide, with a profit before tax for the financial year 2013 of over 7.91 billion euros and revenues amounting to approximately 76.06 billion euros.