Automotive worldview

BMW World returns to Singapore to showcase the German carmaker's products in general, and its electric cars in particular.

BMW World 2014 is modelled after BMW Welt in Munich, a sprawling exhibition centre featuring the BMW Group's technology, such as electric drive, lightweight technology, Efficient Dynamics technology and Connected Drive technology.

The first BMW World in Singapore was held in 2011 but on a much smaller scale. Next week's exhibition at the Marina Bay Sands Convention Centre will devote two halls to telling the BMW story with the latest models from Aug 1-3. On display will be BMW cars, BMW i electric vehicles, BMW M high-performance machines, BMW Motorrad motorcycles and Mini cars.

Taking up more than 6,000 square metres of floor space, it is going to be the biggest event by an automotive group here, one that is costing a few million dollars, even if BMW itself declines to confirm.

But the objective should be worth it, as far as the luxury manufacturer is concerned. Because even though the event will premiere seven new models and five concept vehicles, with over 50 test drive vehicles available should a visitor feel like buying a car there and then, perhaps only two models really matter - the i3 and i8 electric vehicles.

BMW is not the first manufacturer to offer an EV but the i3 and i8 are revolutionary for the way they are designed and built - both are not conventional cars as we know them with steel monocoques but rather, an aluminium chassis and a carbon fibre bodyshell atop it.

More importantly though, BMW is the first to make such cars widely available here, even before the charging infrastructure is complete.

Nevertheless, about 50 i3s will be sold in the first year, along with less than 10 i8s.

The i3 is a four-door four-seater plug-in electric vehicle that can travel 130-160km on a single charge. But with a 600cc two-cylinder petrol engine range extender to generate electricity onboard, the i3's range is effectively doubled.

While the i3 is an eco-friendly hatch, the i8 is a petrol-electric hybrid sports car with zero to 100 kmh acceleration of 4.4 seconds. This four-wheel-drive model uses a turbo-charged 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol engine to power the rear wheels and an electric motor to drive the front wheels, without a mechanical connection between the two axles.

Besides the cutting-edge technology of electric mobility, BMW World 2014 will also unveil some interesting designs with more conventional powertrains. They include the BMW Pininfarina Gran Lusso Coupé, BMW Vision ConnectedDrive, BMW Concept Roadster, Mini Clubman Concept, Mini John Cooper Works Concept, as well as the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer, BMW X4, BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe and BMW C Evolution.

The Pininfarina Gran Lusso Coupé is a two-door four-seater luxury model jointly conceptualised by BMW and the Italian design house. The result is a modern interpretation of BMW heritage and what could set the tone for the new 8 Series coupe.

As for the 2 Series Active Tourer, it will be noteworthy for being BMW's first front-wheel-drive model with a 1.5-litre three-cylinder engine - like the one found in the Mini Cooper. But this car at the show is only a preview; the Active Tourer will only be available in the showroom from September onwards.

An auto show on the scale of BMW World 2014 is unprecedented in Singapore. But when the technology is as innovative as this, it is easy to see why BMW is eager to put it on display.

samuelee@sph.com.sg