The new BMW M550i xDrive: Setting the pace in its segment.

Can you guess which automobile brand is the most sought-after? Well, it appears that BMW is the all-time favourite, having clinched a significant number of international awards in 2016. BMW's achievements actually do not come as a surprise. Apart from its usual aggressive market-conquering stance, the various models from the German car-maker have been topping the charts in terms of performance, style and outlook. With an accolade of over 50 national and international awards and distinctions, it is a clear signal to the motoring world that BMW is not holding back. It is particularly satisfying to note that BMW has gained some of the world’s most coveted distinctions, which include the “World Car Award”, the “Best Car” title for its 7 Series and the “Golden Steering Wheel” for its i3.  BMW 7 Series and BMW i8 topped the charts worldwide  The new BMW 7 Series have enjoyed tremendous success in 2016. The top model was named “World Luxury Car” as part of the “World Car Awards”. Several independent automobile publications also backed the innovative strength of BMW across several platforms. “CarIT”, an information magazine for decision-makers in the field of connected mobility, in collaboration with the Center of Automotive Management (CAM), called the BMW 7 Series' remote control parking option the foremost leading-edge technology in the “Connected Car” category. The premium executive sedan also won two distinctions as part of the “Automotive Innovations Award”, conferred jointly by the CAM and the auditing and consultancy company PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC). Here, the BMW 7 Series bagged the “Most Innovative Model 2016” title, while its power units across the board received the award for the most innovative conventional engines. On the other continent, in Austria, automobile club ÖAMTC conferred the “Marcus” award on the BMW 7 Series as the safest car in the luxury performance segment. Back home in Germany, the BMW 7 Series was concurrently voted company car of the year (“Company Car”/Dekra), company vehicle of the year (“Handelsblatt”), “Top Performer” (“Autoflotte”) as well as “Best Car” in the luxury performance segment (“auto motor und sport”). In the “Car Connectivity Award” conferred jointly by “Motorpresse Stuttgart” and the computer magazine “CHIP”, readers voted the BMW 7 Series as the best-connected car. The BMW i8 has its fair share of winnings. On top of securing a class victory in the category between 1.4 and 1.8 litres capacity, the BMW i8 won the “International Engine of the Year Award” for the second time. The “Times of India” named the hybrid sports car “Technology of the Year”, while in Germany, the BMW i8 was, once again, voted all-wheel drive car of the year in the category “All-Wheel Drive Hybrid Cars” by readers of the publication “Auto Bild Allrad”. Newcomer BMW M2 Coupé stood on the podium  According to automobile magazine “Auto Bild Sportscars”, readers were immensely impressed with the new BMW M2 Coupé. In the “Compact Car Series” category, the high-performance sports car, which houses an inline 6-cylinder engine, secured the “Sports Car of the Year” award. And in their votes for the sportiest cars of 2016, readers of motoring magazine “Sport Auto” chose the BMW M GmbH newcomer over other models. Alongside the BMW M2 Coupé, the BMW M3, the BMW M235i Coupé, the BMW M235i Convertible and the BMW 340i Sedan claimed the first position in four respective categories. From a manufacturer's standpoint, BMW won the most titles at this year’s “Sport Auto Award” this year. In Japan, the new BMW M2 Coupé was voted “Car of the Year”, and at the same time, bagged three other prestigious design distinctions – the “iF Design Award”, the “Good Design Award” and the “Autonis”. Excellent home showing in Germany Calling it the triple success, BMW is perhaps the first car-maker to have achieved three concurrent wins in the “auto motor und sport” readers’ vote. The BMW 7 Series (“Luxury Performance Segment”), the BMW 5 Series (“Upper Mid-Range”) and the BMW X1 (“Compact SUVs”) were voted “BEST CARS 2016”. Notably, the BMW 5 Series took the first position for the sixth consecutive time. Even though the latest generation will only be launched in 2017, the readers of “Auto Bild” and “Computer Bild” are fully convinced of the capabilities of the all new BMW 5 Series Sedan, naming it the “Connected Car 2016”. The readers of “Handelsblatt” voted the BMW X5 “Company Car of the Year” in the “Off-Road Cars” category. The same business magazine also identified the new BMW 730d as the upcoming favourite. BMW ranked highly in value retention and sustainability  The collective strengths of BMW car in terms of value retention can be seen from the “Value Master 2016” award conferred jointly by automobile publication platform “Auto Bild” and market investigation institute Schwacke. The BMW 2 Series Gran Tourer came out top in the “Compact Vans” category whilst the BMW X1 won the “Small SUVs” class. At the same time, the BMW i3 is ranked highest in the electric vehicles category for the second consecutive time. The BMW i3 also snagged the award under the “Alternative Drives” category. As a group, BMW has been lauded for its application of environment-friendly and sustainable technologies. As part of the “Auto Trophy” awards organised by the automobile magazine “Auto Zeitung”, BMW i clinched the international editors’ prize for “Premium Pioneer Electromobility”.

It is clear that BMW is ready for 2017 and beyond. At the recent Las Vegas's Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2017 that was held from 5 January to 8 January, BMW has given consumers a large glimpse of the future of personal mobility and the way automated driving, intelligent connectivity and interior design will be revolutionised. At CES 2017, the German premium car maker unveiled a wide range of new products and services which promised to change the scheme of things in the very near future. It has also revealed an artistic's impression of the interior whose architecture and user interface are extensively adapted for fully automated driving on board a vehicle that is seamlessly integrated into the driver’s digital life. BMW  is a true pioneer where automated driving, intelligent connectivity and control and display systems are concerned. Examples that are already available in some of the car models include the driver assistance systems, the BMW Connected digital mobility companion, the Head-Up Display, the BMW iDrive and the BMW gesture control. All these technologies, which have already formed the hallmark of BMW's automobile advancements, are aimed at reducing driver stress and offering drivers an elevated degree of freedom on how they can utilise their "free time" in the car. Using the new BMW 5 Series Sedan as a platform, BMW has successfully showcased the potential of connected mobility, providing consumers the opportunity to experience innovative digital services operated by BMW Connected and the flexible Open Mobility Cloud platform. During the 4-day event, BMW also presented the BMW Connected Window, which is its vision to offer many other possible applications through the use of innovative digital touchpoints. With a clear focus on innovative display and control technology, BMW unveiled the BMW HoloActive Touch, a new feature that marks a new dimension in how drivers select and control vehicle, navigation, infotainment and communication functions. From vision (CES 2016) to product (2017): the BMW Connected personal digital mobility companion. BMW has always been a staunch believer of digital mobility. Using ConnectedDrive as a leaping platform, BMW took the lead in cabin infotainment and communication functions. Digital mobility is not something new. Even before this year's CES, BMW has already embarked on a  new digital platform – the BMW Connected – to empower its drivers to access a wide range of devices outside their vehicle. This created a seamless integration into the drivers' digital lifestyles. The concept of BMW Connected and the Open Mobility Cloud were first introduced at CES 2016. They became a reality when both were launched in the USA in March 2016, then  in Europe in August 2016 and subsequently China in the fourth quarter of 2016. Remote 3D View, which will be made available in February 2017 in the new BMW 5 Series Sedan, will offer the driver a three-dimensional view of the vehicle and its surroundings from the comfort of his or her smartphone. Intelligent connectivity. At CES 2017, BMW showcased a suite of digital services that empower drivers of automated vehicles to optimise the way they plan their daily trips and chores. BMW Augmented Gesture Control, a new form of gesture control, is one such feature that will enable drivers to access wide-ranging information about places or buildings they see along their route. The connected driving experience is boosted by BMW's intelligent voice control. At CES 2017, Microsoft's Cortana was showcased as the in-vehicle application for BMW. This means that the voice-controlled capabilities already offered by Microsoft Cortana on a home PC or smartphone may well be available on board a BMW. BMW Connected Window: a digital touchpoint. Connectivity on the go is getting more real. Based on the premise that our lives will largely be integrated with digitisation, BMW Connected Window illustrated the endless possibilities of how digital touchpoints could improve our lifestyles. As an extension of BMW Connected’s wide-ranging functionality, BMW Connected Window showcased how the driver can link up with BMW Connected to obtain and share information, plan his or her personal mobility agenda and select infotainment functions from the vehicle's centralised console, smartphone or the “big screen” at home. To BMW, the possibilities are infinite.

It was a chance that did not come by easily. Hence, one could imagine the elation that Performance Motors Limited (PML) experienced when BMW was chosen as the official limousine for the ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) 2017 in SIngapore. From 17 January  to 20 January, a fleet of BMW X3s, BMW X5s and BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo were deployed to chauffeur ministers, dignitaries and other officials from their hotels to the venue of the meet and vice versa. Supporting the ATF 2017 was a grand affair right from the start. Even before the four-day event took centre-stage, PML and the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) witnessed an offical handover of the BMW X3 - the Official Limousine of the ATF 2017 - which is known for its exceptional performance, comfort and spacious interior. The handover ceremony was presided by Mr Horst Herdtle, Managing Director of PML and Mr Leong Yue Kheong, Assistant Chief Executive (Special Duties) of STB.  Reiterating PML's commitment to the ATF 2017, Mr Herdtle said: "We appreciate the opportunity to support the ASEAN Tourism Forum 2017. This appointment confirms that BMW continues to receive the vote of confidence in Singapore and throughout the South East Asia region. I am confident the fleet of BMW vehicles will provide delegates with the highest level of comfort, luxury and safety they are expecting."  Already in its 36th edition, the ATF is annual cooperative regional event that seeks to promote ASEAN as a united tourism market. The yearly event encompasses the Meetings of ASEAN Tourism Ministers and leaders from ASEAN National Tourism Organizations, ASEAN Airlines Meeting, ASEAN.