BMW shows off qualities of its premium brand marque

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Test drivers put BMW vehicles to the test on specially designed off road terrains at the FM Autohaus xDrive Performance Day 2014.

KOTA KINABALU: Contrary to the perception of the public, BMW is not just a premium brand vehicle but it is also equipped with a combination of technologies set to take on Sabah’s rough terrains.

The all-wheel drive system, xDrive, the Dynamic Traction Control (DTC) and the Hill Descent Control (HDC) are some of the main driving force that makes BMW the perfect vehicle to conquer the state’s outdoor challenge.

This was showcased to the public during an inaugural three-day FM Autohaus xDrive Performance Day 2014 test drive held at a specifically designed off-road simulated terrain from November 7.

“Everybody knows that Borneo is a four-wheel drive territory. Regardless of their models, you go anywhere and people are driving four-wheels,” said FM Autohaus Kota Kinabalu director/CEO Syed Fai, at the event finale yesterday.

“BMW is commonly perceived as a luxury brand but it is actually equipped with technologies to take on the outdoor terrains,” added Syed Faiz.

The off-road simulation terrain was divided into four segments. Test drivers and passengers of the BMW X1, X3 and X5 vehicles first went through the Wheel Slip and the Slide Slope course through an extremely uneven terrain and a 45 degree slope using the xDrive.

The BMW exclusive intelligence reacts within a blink of an eye minimizing the impact of extremely uneven and wet terrains on the passengers in the vehicles, said Syed Faiz.

“The xDrive is actually the most intelligent system that is not found in any other brand.

“A normal car’s tyres would spin in the air when they lose traction but the intelligence will redistribute and transfer the power to the tyres that have contact with the ground so the vehicles could move in those terrain,” he added.

This was followed by the Hill Descent Course to showcase the vehicles’ auto hold feature that would prevent a climbing car from falling back down a steep hill and HDC feature that could detect the terrain and move the vehicle down a hill safely on its own.

The DTC feature was then put to a test through the Dynamic Drive and Rugged Terrain course, where vehicles went through sharp winding roads as well as extreme wet and muddy terrains effortlessly.

The course culminated in safe braking exercise.

“Even after the vehicles have gone through every terrain challenge, the antilock braking system still prove to work seamlessly. These are the same vehicles that have been used for the past couple of days,” said Syed Faiz.

“This whole exercise is basically to tell the people of Sabah, our customers and future customers that BMW has the best intelligence, that the vehicle can be used not only to attend functions because it is a premium market segment but also to take out on outdoor adventures,” he stated.

Besides that, the test drive also showcased the power and control of the car without burning a hole in the pocket through the BMW efficient dynamics, a concept introduced by BMW, said Syed Faiz.

He said the run-flat tyre, a solid tyre compound technology started by BMW, is installed in the X series vehicles ensuring a safe 200 km, on an average of 80–90 km/h drive on a damaged tyre.

Also on sale during the three-day event were pre-registered demo cars from the 1–7 series. A discount of up to RM130,000 was offered for these cars.