BMW Malaysia’s NEXTGen event was futuristic, but not exactly of the future. The sustainability-themed pavilion, set up just outside the Mandarin Oriental, Kuala Lumpur, was open to the public for one weekend in January. Inside, exhibitors showcased goods and technology that, if not already available, would be very soon – from commercial superchargers for electric vehicles, to new farming methods growing fresh produce in urban areas, to recycling initiatives turning plastic waste into prosthetics.
BMW’s own exhibition was that of its fledgling stable of electric vehicles. The highlight was the iX xDrive40 (from RM435,800), an all-electric SUV. Powered by two electric motors, one at the front axle and one at the rear, the iX has a maximum output of 326bhp for a 0-100km/h time of 6.1 seconds and a top speed of 200kkm/h. Its 76.6kWh batteries have a range of up to 425km. A high-power DC charging station will bring the batteries from zero to 80 per cent in just over half an hour, while a standard wallbox charger – like those installed in the home – will do a complete charge in slightly over seven hours. The iX is also packed with high-tech features, including an intelligent all-wheel drive system, a new infotainment system that is more comprehensive and customisable than ever, and a 14.9-inch central touchscreen that blends into the 12.3-inch instrument display.
Also unveiled at the NEXTGen event was the iX3 M Sport, an electrified version of the popular X3 compact SUV, and the i4, a compact executive four-door saloon that takes its cue from the extant 4 Series Gran Coupe. This trio of releases puts BMW firmly on the map where local all-electric motoring options are concerned.
The other principal partners of the NEXTGen event were the Malaysian Green Technology and Climate Change Corporation (MGTC), Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) and Siemens Malaysia. A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed between the three partners and BMW Group Malaysia to further develop the ecosystem and infrastructure of electric vehicles in Malaysia.
