Caught in a bumper-to-bumper crawl along Jalan Pinang last night? This is why: everyone was stopping to look at an utterly beautiful glass pavilion within which was the new BMW Concept 8 Series, itself an absolute stunner of a car. Located in the open space just in front of Mandarin Oriental Kuala Lumpur, the BMW Luxury Excellence Pavilion is a unique platform to experience the German carmaker’s unflinching commitment to luxury, innovative technology, design, and flawless craftsmanship. Access to the pavilion was open to the public who pre-registered, and the total experience is a result of BMW’s partnership with Christian Dior Parfums, Hugo Boss, Hennessy, Space Furniture, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Leica, Illy Coffee and the Wei-Ling Gallery.
Ah, but that car! The main attraction of the pavilion remains the gorgeous Concept 8 Series, which serves as a taster of an upcoming BMW model – the new 8 Series Coupé, which is slated for launch later this year as part of the biggest model offensive in the automaker’s history. We like the way BMW Groups management board chairman Harald Krüger put it, “The upcoming BMW 8 Series Coupé is certainly one to look out for, but for now, the BMW Concept 8 Series will express our take on a full-blooded high-end driving machine created in the tradition of large sporty coupés.”
The Concept 8 Series showcases a new approach to the use of forms, reflected prominently in its exterior design – a handful of crisp lines mark out clear surfaces, and the car’s volumes are powerfully sculpted. Together, these elements equate to an outstanding model brimming with character. A large kidney grille, slim twin headlights and large air intakes form a striking, sporty front-end graphic, so the classic BMW template now boasts a fresh interpretation, taking the company’s design language in a different direction. The two kidneys, for example, are low to the road and spread broadly across the front end. Taking inspiration from past years’ BMW coupés, the kidneys are brought together seamlessly to form a single large element. The exclusively developed exterior paint finish, Barcelona Grey Liquid, is a greyish-blue with highly iridescent pigments that show off the surfacing to optimum effect.
On the inside, the car is a rich blend of sporty driving dynamics and complete luxury. In the centre stack, the centre console and the door give the interior a clear graphic structure, while the fluid transition from the instrument panel into the door and the smooth connection between the centre console and instrument panel make for a very sleek and seamless experience.
When you’re behind the wheel, all your contact points with the car are brimming with sporting character. The exclusive sports seats are not only slim in design, but their basic structure is provided by the carbon-fibre shell, finished with only the finest leather. The hand-polished aluminium spokes arrow forward purposefully, and the red-anodised shift paddles quickly bring the race track to mind; all of which combines to showcase BMW’s success in exploring the contrasts between emotion and engineering; dynamic flair and luxury. Its form suggests supreme sportiness, while exquisite materials are a study in exclusivity and high-grade design.
For pre-registered visitors, the BMW Luxury Excellence Pavilion will be open until Mar 7.
