The supercar was launched in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday night (March 12) with two of the power machines on full display with their ‘double-bubble’ contouring, long wheelbase and wide track width plus the flap-controlled sports exhaust system.

The 8 comes standard with the ‘BMW Laserlight’, the slimmest headlights of any BMW model to date. The side view, meanwhile, is dominated by an interplay of surfaces using character lines to trace the flow of the air exiting the ‘Air Breathers’.

From the back, the twin exhaust tailpipes with a trapezoidal contour are positioned on either side of the rear apron’s lower section to send an unmistakable message to those wondering.

The ‘M’ performance model is identified by its exclusive exterior appointments in Cerium Grey, an M rear spoiler and illuminated door sills bearing the model name. It comes standard with an additional front spoiler to minimise the lift that occurs at the front axle at high speeds.

To reduce the aerodynamic drag of the 8’s streamlined body has an almost fully sealed underbody, active air flap control with adjustable kidney grille slats and ‘Air Curtains’.

Inside, all control elements are clearly arranged with leather trim for the instrument panel. In addition to multifunction seats and the M leather steering wheel, the M Sport package includes an anthracite BMW individual headliner, M pedals, M driver’s footrest and special floor mats to inject the cabin with a sporty flair.

The newly-developed sports seats are upholstered as standard in Merino leather. The rear backrest can be split 50:50 as standard and folded down to increase the capacity of the 420-litre luggage compartment.

For the first time ever, active seat ventilation is also made available where the cooled air is sucked in from the interior then guided along the body to the seats’ built-in fans for particularly effective temperature control of the seat cushions and backrests.

The 8’s power plant has a new V8 engine at its heart. The 4.4-litre eight-cylinder unit has been revised with two twin-scroll turbochargers, ‘High Precision Injection’, Valvetronic fully variable valve control and Double-Vanos variable camshaft timing all working together for a claimed top speed of 250 km/h.

The BMW M850i xDrive Coupe delivers a maximum output of 390kW/530hp which is on tap between 5,500 – 6,000 rpm. The maximum torque of 750Nm is available from 1,800 to 4,600 rpm for forward thrust. It’ll do the century sprint in 3.7 seconds and posts a fuel consumption of 10.4 litres per 100 kilometres (manufacturer’s figures).

The V8 engine is paired with an 8-speed Steptronic sports transmission which features increased ratio spread, new transmission management and optimised hydraulic control produce for more spirited gear shifts. Shift paddles on the steering wheel are standard.

BMW says the xDrive intelligent all-wheel-drive system operates more efficiently than before with the electronically controlled rear differential lock fitted as standard on the BMW M850i xDrive Coupe.

The locking effect generated by an electric motor limits speed compensation between the inside and outside rear wheel when cornering, making it possible to power out of bends with dynamic verve.

In addition to the Adaptive M Suspension, the 8 comes standard with ‘Integral Active Steering’ which reduces the car’s turning circle when manoeuvring, increases agility at moderate speeds and optimises control when changing lanes and cornering at high speeds.

BMW’s ‘Driving Assistant Professional’ is standard and features Lane Departure Warning, Lane Change Warning, Pedestrian Collision Warning, Crossing Traffic Warning (front and rear), Emergency Stop Assistant, steering and lane control assistant, Lane Keeping Assistant with active side collision protection and Evasion Aid which now reacts to pedestrians.

Also standard is the BMW Live Cockpit Professional display running on the new BMW Operating System 7.0 which introduces the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant, an intelligent, digital character that awaits the driver’s every command while providing casual conversation. And get this – you can name this digital character!

One unique feature over other digital assistant is that drivers can give it a name, for example, “Hey Jamie”, to lend even greater individuality and personality.

The Personal Assistant will be able to learn more preferences and favoured settings. It can even activate a combination of them to enhance well-being. For instance, “Hey BMW, I feel tired” triggers a vitality programme that adjusts the lighting mood, music and temperature, among other things, in order to make the driver feel more alert.

The 8 comes in Carbon Black metallic, Black Sapphire metallic, Sonic Speed Blue metallic, Barcelona Blue metallic, Sunset Orange metallic and Mineral White, matched with Black, Cognac or Ivory White BMW Individual Merino full leather trim sports seat.

The 8 on-the-road without insurance and with BMW Group Malaysia’s latest 5 Years Unlimited Mileage Warranty, Free Scheduled Service Programme and BMW Tyre Warranty Programme for The 8 is RM1,088,800.00

Selected highlights:

• BMW M850i xDRIVE Coupé
• Belt force limiter for front seats
• Dynamic Braking Lights with Flashing Function
• Knee airbags for driver and front passenger
• Rain Sensor, Automatic Activation Control for Windscreen Wipersand Driving Lights
• Driving Experience Control with ‘Adaptive’ mode for individual driving behaviour
• Comfort Access System with contactless opening and closing ofthe tailgate
• Soft-close function for doors
• BMW Gesture Control, use of simple hand gestures to interact withthe infotainment system
• Harman Kardon surround sound system with digital amplifier (464w,16 speakers)

Kuala Lumpur, 10 December 2018: A cross-faculty and trans-disciplinary effort among students and staff from Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU) and the Asia Pacific Institute of Information Technology (APIIT) led to the production of the university’s concept car named – Invictus.

The Invictus was a working prototype designed and assembled by team Invictus to compete in the Proton DRB-Hicom Creative Car Challenge (PD3C) 2018 which was concluded on 8 December. The car emerged as the champion of the challenge and the team walked away with a cash prize of RM7,000. In addition, Khoo Wern Sheung, Year 3 student of the BA (Hons) Transport Design programme, who was part of the team also achieved the 3rd Prize at the Design Battle.

Prior to the final challenge, the team from APU was one of the 13 finalists at the PD3C pitching session held in March 2018. At the pitching session, the team proposed to use the Proton Preve as the base model of the Invictus’s concept design. They were then given a Proton Preve and were required to re-design and re-engineer the given car model with brand new ideas and concepts.

Under the guidance of academic staff from the School of Media, Arts & Design (SoMAD) at APIIT, 20 students from the Product Design, Transport Design and Engineering disciplines worked on sketching, designing, modelling, assembling and styling the Invictus over 9 months.

Animation and Visual Effects students applied their skills and knowledge in creating the promotion video and designing the electronic display panels available within Invictus.

Personnel from the PD3C committee visited the team and were kept updated of the progress twice throughout the progression. The car development process was fully documented in the logbook as required by the organizers.

This was the first concept car assembled by APU & APIIT students, as they participated in the PD3C for the first time.

The car featured futuristic design elements that cater for urban living lifestyle, in line with APU’s nature of being a technology-savvy and innovative university. Some key features on the concept car include:

• Artificial Intelligence (AI) integrated headlamps
• Integrated side view cameras to replace traditional wing mirrors
• Smart Auto Door with Facial Recognition System
• Fully digital Infotainment System
• High-pressure front windshield to replace traditional wipers
• Touch-screen and fully-interactive panel to replace traditional dashboard, speedometer, odometer and fault indicators
• Front lower radar sensor to detect uneven objects or surfaces ahead

Khoo Wern Sheung, Year 3 student of the BA (Hons) Transport Design programme, also participated in the Design Battle that was held as part of the competition. His hand-sketched design of a compact car based on the theme given, ‘Fish’, emerged as the 3rd Prize Winner of the Battle.

Overwhelmed by their victory at the competition, Invictus team member, Lee Kian Chong, expressed his gratitude to the university lecturers and his team mates for the support.

“It’s been such a wonderful experience! There were times we felt frustrated but with great team work, we are proud of the final outcome. I am really proud to be part of the team. We manage to turn the impossible to possible,” said Lee.

Saifullizan Bin Abdul Wahab, academic staff of APIIT, recalled the team’s efforts and the strong passion demonstrated by the staff and students over the 9 months while working on the Invictus,

“The Invictus born out of teamwork among all staff and students, as well as the strong support by the management and our colleagues at APU and APIIT. Team Invictus had a challenging yet memorable 9 months; I am thankful to all students and staff who had worked on the Invictus tirelessly. Our hard work paid off!”

“The team worked with passion, perseverance and dedication to achieve a concept that is revolutionary. An awesome effort by students and staff from across different schools, working together as an integrated effort,”

commended Datuk Parmjit Singh, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of APIIT Education Group.

About Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU)

The Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU) is amongst Malaysia’s Premier Private Universities. APU offers a wide range of degree programmes in Technology that aim to nurture students into professionals and prepare them for challenging careers and roles in business and society globally. The multi-cultural student community comprises 12,000 students from over 120 countries. APU has earned an enviable reputation as an award-winning University through its achievements in winning a host of prestigious awards at national and international levels. It was announced as among the Highest Rated Universities in Malaysia, being rated at TIER 5 (EXCELLENT) under the SETARA 2011, 2013 and 2017 Ratings by the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) and Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA). Internationally, APU also achieved 5-Stars Ratings at the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) in four categories – Teaching, Employability, Facilities and Inclusiveness