| |
|
|
|
In introducing the new BMW 7-Series in the fourth market in Asia, Luder Paysen, Senior V-P of BMW’s Group Sales Division, said that the version sold in Malaysia and the rest of Asia is different from that offered in Europe, notably in its overall length.
“In fact, when the designers penned the first sketches, it was the ‘long’ version and only after that was the shorter European version designed,” Mr Paysen revealed. He added that for the first time, BMW had given substantial attention to the requirements of its Asian and Middle East customers and developed a variant specially for these markets. Significantly, the longer body was intended to extend rear legroom, a major issue for Asian owners who would spend more time there than their European counterparts.
However, both versions share many things in common and this generation of the 7-Series is being touted as being “20 years ahead of its time”.
“Technologically, it is the most advanced BMW ever introduced with new design language inside and outside, and is set to redefine the automotive upper luxury segment,” said Mr Paysen.
For the Malaysian market, two versions will be imported from Germany in completely built-up (CBU) form - the 735Li with a 200 kW/272 bhp 3.6-litre engine and the 745Li with the 245 kW/333 bhp 4.4-litre engine. Both are newly-developed V8 engines that feature double VANOS and Valvetronic cylinder heads which are claimed to set new benchmarks for fuel-efficiency and performance.
Special pricing has been provided for Malaysia to ensure that the new BMW flagship is not priced excessively high. For the 735Li, the price is RM725,000 (without insurance) while for the 745Li, it is RM850,000 (without insurance).
“We have been fortunate to get special concessions from BMW to avoid having to price the cars at a million ringgit,” explained Cartrade CEO Ilyas Mohamad.
Mr Paysen went on to say that ‘the pricing strategy had taken into consideration the challenge of the high import duties of Malaysia’. The aim was to enable more people to own the new 7-series and to enable BMW to achieve greater penetration in the luxury segment, especially at the uppermost end where BMW already has a 35% share.
Proper after-sales support is vital for the new 7-Series which is akin to a large mobile computer. Electronic systems manage virtually every system and require customised equipment for trouble-shooting as well as people who are trained to work on such systems. Auto Bavaria has spent a lot on the hardware and the training which BMW would obviously only provide to the authorised after-sales partners.
“We have purchased all the necessary diagnostic equipment and tools to support this car, as well as carried out intensive training for our personnel in Malaysia as well as in Germany. We want to ensure the best possible support for our new 7-Series owners in Malaysia,” stressed Mr Thurairatnam.
.
Comments
[E-mail this to friend(EMF)] |
| |
|
|
| Make & Model |
| Make | | BMW |
|
| Model | | 7 Series |
|
| Doors | | 4 |
|
| Passengers | | 5 |
|
| Price | |
Search from International price list |
|
| |
| Cylinder |
| Cylinder | | 8 cylinder 4 valves |
|
| Bore x Stroke (mm) | | 78.9 x 84.0 |
|
| Displacement (cc) | | 2,793 |
|
| Compression Ratio | | N/A |
|
| Torque (Nm@rpm) | | 345 @ 3800 |
|
| Power (PS@rpm) | | 175 kW @ 5800 |
|
| |
| Dimension |
| Wheelbase | | 2,930 |
|
| Length | | 4,984 |
|
| Width | | 2,063 |
|
| Height | | 1,435 |
|
| Track - Front | | 1,552 |
|
| - Rear | | 1,568 |
|
| Curb Weight (kg) | | N/A |
|
| |
| Chasis & Body |
| Body Material | | N/A |
|
| Brake | | N/A |
|
| Tyre - Front | | 235/65 R16 |
|
| - Rear | | 235/65 R16 |
|
| Wheel | | 7.5J x 16 |
|
| Suspension System | | N/A |
|
| |
| Performance |
| Top Speed (mph) | | 151 |
|
| 0 - 60MPH | | 8.6 sec |
|
| 0 - 100MPH | | N/A |
|
| Fuel Economy (litre) | | 85 |
|
| Transmision | | N/A |
|
| Transmission Ratio - 1st/2nd/3rd/4th/5th/6th | | N/A / N/A / N/A / N/A / N/A / N/A |
|
| - final/Reverse | | N/A / N/A |
|
|