2020 BMW X6 and 840i Gran Coupe launched in Malaysia

Despite the state of lockdown gripping the nation (and the rest of the world), BMW Malaysia still managed to pull off the launch of not one, but two brand new models thanks to its new virtual store creatively titled BMW Shop Online. The new cars are far more exciting than the new online showroom sounds, for instead of merely decorating its local catalogue with another trim line for the 3 Series or 5 Series, the Bavarian marque has brought a couple of big guns past our supposedly closed borders: the third-generation X6 and the 840i Gran Coupe.

2020 BMW X6 xDrive40i M Sport

The G06 X6 arrives in xDrive40i M Sport format, which means the Malaysian-spec ‘Sports Activity Coupe (SAC)’ gets BMW’s lovely three-litre straight-six mill good for 340bhp and 450Nm of torque. Channelled to all four wheels via an eight-speed auto, this output helps the all-new X6 dispatch the century sprint in 5.5 brisk seconds before topping out at 250kph. Average economy is rated at 9.0l/100km.

Dimensionally, the third-gen model has grown in almost every axis. It is 26mm longer and 15mm wider than its predecessor, with its wheelbase spanning 42mm more than before. However, a 6mm height reduction keeps the car visually squat and sporty. The extra real estate is useful for a larger pair of kidney grilles with BMW’s new “Iconic Glow” illumination feature so victims of night-time tailgating can clearly tell you’re in a Bimmer. You also get a set of 21-inch M Sport alloys to complement the girth, hooked up to an adaptive M suspension with dynamic damper control.

The “bigger is better” theme continues inside, with the X6’s new two-part panoramic glass roof offering 83 percent more aperture than before. The 580-litre boot can be expanded to 1,530 litres with the 40/20/40 split rear seats folded flat while the Harman Kardon system’s speaker count is now at 16. There’s a host of screens to go with the latter too, including two 12.3-inch units on the dash (instrument cluster and infotainment) and a pair of 10-inch touchscreens for rear passengers.

The fully-imported X6 xDrive40i M Sport is priced at RM729,800 on-the-road without insurance.

2020 BMW 840i Gran Coupe M Sport

If you’re a fan of the 8 Series Coupe but need four doors at all costs, the Gran Coupe should be right up your alley. Unfortunately, the 840i isn’t exactly on par with the V8-powered M850i Coupe launched in Malaysia last year in terms of performance. But the 340bhp in-line six-cylinder engine it shares with the X6 xDrive40i should make for a sufficiently perky ride for a car you’re planning to ferry a few lucky friends in. Its 500Nm torque limit is 50Nm higher than the X6’s, so that should add to the fun. It’s also worth noting that unlike the two-door M850i xDrive, the 840i Gran Coupe is rear-wheel drive. That’s one effective way to split the purists right through the middle…

On paper, the 840i Gran Coupe will do 0-100kph in just 5.2 seconds, with vmax electronically limited to 250kph. Dynamically, it’s endowed with an M Sport differential on the rear axle, BMW’s “Integral Active Steering for more directional stability” and adaptive suspension with electronically-controlled dampers. Having an extra pair of doors also means its wheelbase is 20cm longer than the Coupe – great for space, and potentially for cornering stability too.

Inside, the most expensive non-M four-door BMW on sale in Malaysia is dressed up with a full-leather dashboard, four-zone climate control, BMW Live Cockpit Professional features (i.e. head up display, 12.3-inch customisable instrument cluster and voice-activated digital assistant), Parking Assistant Plus and the BMW Personal CoPilot suite of electronic driver aids.

Also a CBU, the BMW 840i Gran Coupe M Sport retails in Malaysia for RM968,800.

If you can’t wait till the MCO is over to visit your nearest BMW showroom, you can reserve your brand new X6 or 8 Series Gran Coupe by placing a RM5,000 booking fee at shop.bmw.com.my. BMW Group Financial Services Malaysia is also offering balloon financing plans for both models with monthly repayments starting from RM8,328 for the X6 and RM11,058 for the 840i Gran Coupe based on a five-year, 80-percent loan tenure.