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Credit: Bangkok Post (www.bangkokpost.com)

Asia in Focus

BMW World Singapore highlights the brand's presence in this region since the early '30s and the importance for the brand in global economic terms

Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Centre in Singapore was recently the scene of the largest showcase of BMW innovation, design and heritage in Asia, the BMW World Singapore, spread over a sprawling 50,000 square feet of exhibition space.

Along with Asian premieres of the all-new X3, M3 GTS and the Concept 5 Series ActiveHybrid, the event highlighted BMW's presence in Asia since the early 1930s and the importance of Asian and Southeast Asian markets from a global perspective.

"For the first time in 2009 BMW's core markets [North America and Europe] contributed less than 50% of its global sales volume," said Graham Grieve, vice president of Importer Markets, speaking of its growing presence in Asia.

He said strong partnerships with retailers, increased investments in existing networks and areas of technology, sustainable mobility and expansion of product range to electric vehicles and hybrids are some of the areas BMW would be focusing on.

❚ BMW World Singapore inspired by BMW Welt, Munich.

Johannes Seibert, managing director of BMW Group Asia, noted that after the financial crisis in the US BMW has rebound posting 27% growth this year thanks to an updated product range which will be followed by new 6-series Convertible (see page M1), 1-series, 1 M and new M5 next year.

The event also showcased its M1 super sports car, Roadster heritage, lifestyle collection (fashion and accessories), and entertainment such as golf and driving simulators, and a specially designed kiddietrack.

The event was inspired by the iconic BMW Welt museum in Munich which showcases the German automaker's engineering prowess in the auto industry.

Shifting gears to the new 258hp X3, it showed more muscular lines with wider front grilles along with redesigned rear lights and a best-in-class 550-litre boot space, with a claimed fuel consumption rate of 11.4kpl and 204g/km CO2 emission rate.

LEFT

❚ GINA’s flexible fabric skin covers moveable metal substructure.

❚ M3 GTS has a V8 that can do 305kph along with 440Nm of torque.

❚ New X3 is bigger under the hood and inside.

The star of the show was undoubtedly the 450hp M3 GTS and its carbonfibre roof. The car goes from 0-100kph in 4.4sec. Mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, it is the most powerful of M3 coupe{aac}s which intentionally did not install sound dampers in order to emphasise its sound engineering.

Credit: Bangkok Scene (http://www.bangkokscene.com)