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    Paris businesses disappointed by lack of Olympic boom

    PARIS (AP) – On a typical summer day, tourists flock to the historic Marais district of Paris, wandering its charming medieval streets dotted with ultra-chic boutiques, gazing at stunning private mansions, strolling through the elegant 17th-Century square Place des Vosges, and filling humming establishments.

    But this summer has hardly been typical, and those streets, shops and cafes have been markedly emptier in the days leading up to the Paris Olympics – leaving businesses pining for summers past.

    It’s a far cry from what business owners expected when they first heard the Olympics were coming to Paris, said David Carroll, an establishment owner on a recent, slow weekday.

    “It’s sure not the Olympics we were hoping for – so far, anyway,” said Carroll, a Canadian who has been working in the neighbourhood for 20 years. “It’s the same for everyone around here.”

    Carroll attributes the light crowds to multiple factors, but first and foremost the chilling effect from security measures that have had tourists encountering metal fences, police checkpoints and demands for a special QR code that they may have neglected to obtain – a digital pass required to access some popular areas before the highly secured opening ceremony along the Seine River.

    Now, visitors are facing major disruptions after officials reported fires and other sabotage to the high-speed rail network.

    The Eiffel Tower is decorated with the Olympic rings. PHOTO: AP

    Some would-be tourists decided to avoid Paris altogether during the Olympics, fearing high prices, crowds or general chaos.

    On top of that, many Parisians have escaped the city in their usual summer exodus – likely even more so this year.

    “Many tourists haven’t arrived yet and Parisians have left, so it’s kind of a combination,” Carroll said. And as for the tourists who are here, “people aren’t able to move around, so wherever they are, they’re kind of stuck in their areas”.

    He’s hopeful this is “the calm before the storm” and that after the opening ceremony, things will loosen up. But for now, it can be an ordeal to make even a simple urban trip.

    Just ask Gillian Levison and Richard Mitchell. The British couple travelled by train from London this week precisely because, Mitchell said, they figured flying during the Olympics would be “a nightmare”.

    The rail journey went smoothly until they arrived at the Gare du Nord, the train station in the north of Paris, and found their pre-ordered taxi had been canceled.

    There was a “terrific queue” for taxis at the station, Levison said, and while they felt lucky to find one, the odyssey to their hotel on the Left Bank took two hours and cost EUR200, exponentially more than it would normally cost.

    The irony is that the couple, who live in Dorset, England, have no interest “in those blessed Olympics,” as Levison puts it. “Definitely not here for that,” she said. Rather, they are attending a family wedding in the countryside and wanted to spend a few days in Paris first.

    “It seems they didn’t think much about how people were going to get across the river,” Mitchell said of Paris authorities.

    It’s all been certainly hurting the business hopes of Jean-Pierre Salson, who owns Factory’s Paris, a shop in the Marais specialising in menswear. Salson estimates business is down 30 per cent compared with this time last year and probably 40 per cent among American customers.

    “It’s been very slow since the beginning of June,” he said, “and July is worse. There’s a lot less tourists, from all the countries. I think they’re avoiding France and Paris because they’re afraid of the Olympics.”

    And for those who are in Paris, it’s especially hard to get to the centre, he added. “There are restricted areas you can’t get to by car. So you need to walk, and some subway stations are closed.”

    Analysts say the high costs of travel to Paris this Olympic season – and staying there once they arrive – means some planes are landing with empty seats and hotels are not as booked as they normally would be in the summer high season.

    Vice president of insights Olivier Ponti at ForwardKeys, a travel data company with access to airline industry ticketing data, said arrivals to Paris in the three weeks before the Games were down 13 per cent from a year earlier, meaning typical tourists are holding off on trips. But those coming to Paris for the Games have sent arrivals up by eight per cent during the Olympic period, he said.

    Some tourists who would traditionally have been pouring in at this point of the summer “have been put off by high prices and communication on the number of new obstacles created by the Olympic Games”, such as landmarks being closed or difficulties getting around, he said.

    “Those traditional travelers have decided that it would be probably great to visit Paris, but not at that time.”

    Airlines are feeling the pain. Ponti said that some planes arriving in Paris are not full after many airlines increased capacity for the Games and charged “really high fares”.

    Air France-KLM said it expects a EUR150 million to EUR170 million drop in revenue from the Games in the third quarter, while Delta foresees a USD100 million hit from June to August.

    Those visitors who do get to Paris face high prices at hotels, leading to rooms sitting empty, according to CEO Olivier Ponti of Hotelplanner, a hotel booking platform.

    Paris hotels are seeing 70 per cent occupancy compared with 90 per cent at the same time last year, he said this week, noting that the average rate was twice as high as it usually is – at EUR700 a night. “The prices that they were charging for Paris hotel rooms and Paris travel over those Olympic days were just too high for consumers to bear,” Hentschel said, adding that hotels are now starting to drop rates dramatically.

    Airbnb, on the other hand, has not seen the same issues. It said in a statement that the Paris Olympics is “one of the biggest hosting events in Airbnb history, with more guests staying in local homes on Airbnb than at any event, ever before”.

    Some business owners say they believe – or simply hope – that things will get better as the city becomes easier to navigate after the opening ceremony.

    Though officials say the rail disruptions may last at least through the weekend.

    “It’s true, it’s very quiet now,” Guillaume Faller, who manages the Feria restaurant in the Marais, said this week. “Much quieter than the same period last year. But I think it will bounce back in a few days. In any case, I hope so. But for now, the (situation) is clearly not what we expected it to be.”

    Salson, the clothing shop owner, believed it’s just a matter of patience.

    “I (just) have to wait,” he said. “I’m sure they will be back, because I had many American customers telling me in the spring: ‘Well, see you in September, October and November!'”

    Clauss joins Nice

    AFP – Nice yesterday announced the signing of France right-back Jonathan Clauss from Marseille on a two-year deal.

    Clauss, 31, who joined Marseille in 2022, was an unused member of Les Bleus’ Euro 2024 squad.

    He joins for a fee of about EUR5 million (USD5.43 million), according to reports.

    On the Cote d’Azur, Clauss will reunite with Franck Haise, the ex-boss of Lens, where the defender spent two seasons before moving to the Stade Velodrome.

    “It’s true that the possibility of working with the coach made a difference in my choice,” Clauss said in a Nice statement.

    “I’m at an important moment in my career. I need to play often, and to continue playing in European competition… I’m ambitious, like Nice,” he added.

    Jonathan Clauss. PHOTO: AFP

    Greece’s ‘Instagram island’ Santorini nears saturation point

    AFP – One of the most enduring images of Greece’s summer travel brand is the world-famous sunset on Santorini Island, framed by sea-blue church domes on a jagged cliff high above a volcanic caldera.

    This scene has inspired millions of fridge magnets, posters, and souvenirs – and now the queue to reach the viewing spot in the clifftop village of Oia can take more than 20 minutes.

    Santorini is a key stopover of the Greek cruise experience. But with parts of the island nearing saturation, officials are considering restrictions. Of the record 32.7 million people who visited Greece last year, around 3.4 million, or one in 10, went to the island of just 15,500 residents.

    “We need to set limits if we don’t want to sink under overtourism,” Santorini mayor Nikos Zorzos told AFP. “There must not be a single extra bed… whether in the large hotels or Airbnb rentals.”

    As the sun set behind the horizon in Oia, thousands raised their phones to the sky to capture the moment, followed by scattered applause.

    For canny entrepreneurs, the Cycladic island’s famous sunset can be a cash cow.

    One company advertised more than 50 “flying dresses”, which have long flowing trains, for up to EUR370, on posters around Oia for anyone who wishes to “feel like a Greek goddess” or spruce up selfies.

    ABOVE & BELOW: Photos show tourists on the Greek island of Santorini. PHOTO: AFP
    PHOTO: AFP

    But elsewhere in Oia’s narrow streets, residents have put up signs urging visitors to respect their home. “RESPECT… It’s your holiday… but it’s our home,” read a purple sign from the Save Oia group.

    Shaped by a volcanic eruption 3,600 years ago, Santorini’s landscape is “unique”, the mayor said, and “should not be harmed by new infrastructure”. Around a fifth of the island is currently occupied by buildings.

    At the edge of the cliff, a myriad of swimming pools and jacuzzis highlight Santorini is also a pricey destination.

    In 2023, 800 cruise ships brought some 1.3 million passengers, according to the Hellenic Ports Association. Cruise ships “do a lot of harm to the island”, said Chantal Metakides, a Belgian resident of Santorini for 26 years.

    “When there are eight or nine ships pumping out smoke, you can see the layer of pollution in the caldera,” she said.

    In June, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis floated the possibility of capping cruise ship arrivals to Greece’s most popular islands. “I think we’ll do it next year,” he told Bloomberg, noting that Santorini and tourist magnet Mykonos “are clearly suffering”.

    “There are people spending a lot of money to be on Santorini and they don’t want the island to be swamped,” said the pro-business conservative leader, who was re-elected to a second four-year term last year.

    In an AFP interview, Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni echoed this sentiment and said: “We must set quotas because it’s impossible for an island such as Santorini… to have five cruise ships arriving at the same time.”

    Local officials have set a limit of 8,000 cruise boat passengers per day from next year. But not all local operators agree.

    Antonis Pagonis, head of Santorini’s hoteliers association, believes better visitor flow management is part of the solution.

    “It is not possible to have (on) a Monday, for example, 20 to 25,000 guests from the cruise ships, and the next day zero,” he said.

    Pagonis also argued that most of the congestion only affects parts of the island like the capital, Fira. In the south of the island, the volcanic sand beaches are less crowded, even though it is high season in July.

    Traffic advisory for royal get-together event on July 29

    The Royal Brunei Police Force would like to inform the public, especially road users, on the affected roads for the get-together ceremony with citizens and residents at Taman Haji Sir Muda Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien on July 29, starting at 5.45am until the event concludes.

    The affected roads are traffic lights at the Jalan Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha junction with Kubah Makam Diraja, Jalan Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha junction behind RIPAS Hospital, Jalan Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha from Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah highway (near to court), Jalan Haji Basir four junction with Jalan Simpang, Jalan Haji Basir junction with Jalan Sultan Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien (near the fire station), Jalan Sultan Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien junction with Jalan Dato Taib, Jalan Tasik junction with Jalan Pehin Dato Isa, Jalan Sultan Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien junction with Jalan Stoney, Jalan Kianggeh junction with Jalan Bendahara, Jalan Sultan Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien junction with Jalan Bendahara, Jalan Kianggeh junction with Jalan Elizabeth II, Jalan Sultan Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien junction with Jalan Elizabeth II, Jalan Kianggeh junction of Jalan Pemancha, Jalan Kianggeh junction of Jalan Cator, Jalan Kianggeh junction with Jalan McArthur, roundabout at Jalan McArthur, Jalan Omar ’Ali Saifuddien Mosque junction with Jalan Elizabeth II and all the junctions along Jalan Stoney.

    Buses transporting students to the get-together event will use Jalan Sultan Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien and Jalan Kianggeh. Drop-off locations will be along Jalan Elizabeth II (near the Department of Electrical Services), Jalan Bendahara, and Jalan Pehin Dato Isa.

    Meanwhile, pick-up points for students will be at Jalan Elizabeth II and roads along Bandar Seri Begawan. The bus route will include Jalan Kianggeh, Jalan Sultan Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien and Jalan Stoney.

    Members of the public are advised to use alternative routes such as Jalan Kiulap, Jalan Simpang, Jalan Stoney, Jalan Tasek and Jalan Kianggeh on the actual day.

    Road users are also advised to follow instructions by traffic police personnel on duty during the event. – James Kon

    PHOTO: ENVATO

    Aviation authority declares new restricted airspaces

    The Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) yesterday announced that areas within three nautical miles (5.56 kilometres) radius of specific locations are declared restricted airspace on July 29 and 30 and August 4.

    The areas include Taman Haji Sir Muda Omar Ali Saifuddien on July 29 and August 4, and Padang Bandaran, Jalan Sultan in Kuala Belait on July 30.

    According to the DCA, unauthorised aircraft, including unmanned aerial vehicles (drones), are not allowed to operate in the restricted airspace.

    The failure to comply with the regulation is considered a contravention of the laws and regulations of Brunei Darussalam as outlined in Section 51 of the Civil Aviation Order, 2006. – James Kon

    PHOTO: ENVATO

    Nationwide Munajat marks His Majesty’s birthday

    The implementation of the Syariah Criminal Penal Code, being an alcohol-free country and the implementation of the Compulsory Religious Education Act will save the nation and Muslims in the country from hellfire, said State Mufti Pehin Datu Seri Maharaja Dato Paduka Seri Setia (Dr) Ustaz Haji Awang Abdul Aziz bin Juned.

    He said this delivering a talk for the nationwide 144th Munajat last night at Jame’ ‘Asr Hassanil Bolkiah in Kampong Kiarong, in conjunction with His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam’s 78th birthday celebration.

    The state mufti added, “The mission and vision of the ruler to bring migration towards transformation is great. The monarch wants all laws to be in line with the religion.

    “Civil law is still used with improvement through Islamisation. We seldom hear about it, but it happens in Brunei. It is what we call fulfilling responsibilities for Allah the Almighty,” he said.

    The state mufti also said His Majesty as the Head of Government and Religion declared banning alcohol. “Our monarch acted and led the nation to migrate towards being an alcohol-free destination, which is a pure migration.”

    On implementing the Compulsory Religious Education Act, he said with such a move, there will be no Muslims in the country who can’t pray or recite Al-Quran.

    Alhamdulillah, with compulsory religious education, Muslims in the country will be saved at present and in the days of here after.”

    Acting Secretary at the Brunei Islamic Religious Council (MUIB) Haji Abdul Rajid bin Haji Mohd Salleh led the recitation of Doa Munajat and Doa Peliharakan Sultan dan Negara Brunei Darussalam.

    Minister of Religious Affairs Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Haji Awang Badaruddin bin Pengarah Dato Paduka Haji Awang Othman, Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) and Minister of Defence II Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Awang Halbi bin Haji Mohd Yussof, Minister of Health Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Mohd Isham bin Haji Jaafar, Minister of Home Affairs Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Ahmaddin bin Haji Abdul Rahman and Minister of Transport and Infocommunications Pengiran Dato Seri Setia Shamhary bin Pengiran Dato Paduka Haji Mustapha were present.

    Meanwhile, a similar gathering was also held at Hassanal Bolkiah Mosque in the Tutong District attended by Minister of Development Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Muhammad Juanda bin Haji Abdul Rashid.

    In the Temburong District, Minister of Primary Resources and Tourism Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Abdul Manaf bin Haji Metussin was present.

    In the Belait District, the event was held at the Muhammad Jamalul Alam Mosque attended by Deputy Minister (Energy) at the Prime Minister’s Office Haji Mohamad Azmi bin Haji Mohd Hanifah.

    Deputy Permanent Secretary (Energy) at the PMO Pengiran Haji Jamra Weira bin Pengiran Haji Petra, Legislative Council members Yang Berhormat Haji Mohd Salleh bin Haji Othman, as Penghulu of Mukim Bukit Sawat, and Yang Berhormat Mohammad bin Abdullah @ Lim Swee Ann, as Village Head of Kampong Bukit Sawat, Acting Belait District Officer Haji Amirol Hafidzin bin Haji Muhammad and Head of Religious Officers in the Belait District Mohammad Aliyani bin Ismail were also present. – Azlan Othman & Daniel Lim

    ABOVE & BELOW: Photos show Cabinet ministers during the event at Jame’ ‘Asr Hassanil Bolkiah. PHOTO: RAFI ROSLI, AZLAN OTHMAN & DANIEL LIM
    PHOTO: RAFI ROSLI, AZLAN OTHMAN & DANIEL LIM
    Minister of Development Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Muhammad Juanda bin Haji Abdul Rashid during the event in the Tutong District. PHOTO: RAFI ROSLI, AZLAN OTHMAN & DANIEL LIM
    Deputy Minister (Energy) at the Prime Minister’s Office Haji Mohamad Azmi bin Haji Mohd Hanifah at the event in the Belait District. PHOTO: RAFI ROSLI, AZLAN OTHMAN & DANIEL LIM
    ABOVE & BELOW: State Mufti Pehin Datu Seri Maharaja Dato Paduka Seri Setia (Dr) Ustaz Haji Awang Abdul Aziz bin Juned delivers a talk; and attendees at the event. PHOTO: RAFI ROSLI, AZLAN OTHMAN & DANIEL LIM
    PHOTO: RAFI ROSLI, AZLAN OTHMAN & DANIEL LIM
    PHOTO: RAFI ROSLI, AZLAN OTHMAN & DANIEL LIM
    ABOVE & BELOW: Participants of the Munajat; and a live stream of the event. PHOTO: RAFI ROSLI, AZLAN OTHMAN & DANIEL LIM
    PHOTO: RAFI ROSLI, AZLAN OTHMAN & DANIEL LIM
    PHOTO: RAFI ROSLI, AZLAN OTHMAN & DANIEL LIM
    The Sultanate marked the 144th Munajat last night with simultaneous prayers in all four districts to mark the 78th birthday of His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam. Organised by the Ministry of Religious Affairs, last night’s religious ceremonies were also held in conjunction with Ilal Hijrah. PHOTO: RAFI ROSLI

    Girl guides mark Community Day with Doa Kesyukuran

    The Girl Guides Association of Brunei Darussalam (PPPBD) held a Doa Kesyukuran ceremony and mass Asar prayer at its headquarters yesterday, in conjunction with PPPBD’s 16th Community Day 2024.

    PPPBD Commissioner of Young Leaders Dr Mariam binti Haji Abdul Rahman led the recitation of Surah Yaasiin, Doa Kesyukuran and the congregational Asar prayer.

    PPPBD’s Lifelong Vice-President Datin Hajah Masni binti Haji Mohd Ali and Chief Commissioner Norazrina binti Haji Sarbini were present at the ceremony.

    This year, the association has and will carry out community activities and projects with support from members from all levels.

    The community activities and projects include the ongoing Titian Kasih Project and a series of community activities conducted during the month of Ramadhan. The annual Community Day aims to extend gratitude and celebrate PPPBD members engaged in community service projects.

    It also promotes a culture of community service and helping others, which is part of the association’s pledge, while strengthening friendship and goodwill among members. – Rokiah Mahmud

    ABOVE & BELOW: Photos show the event in progress. PHOTO: ROKIAH MAHMUD
    PHOTO: ROKIAH MAHMUD
    PHOTO: ROKIAH MAHMUD

    US Envoy leads inclusivity efforts across ASEAN, APEC countries

    United States’ (US) Special Advisor on International Disability Rights (SAIDR) Sara Minkara is on a trip to several ASEAN and Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) member countries to promote the continued integration of disability policy.

    Her trip, lasting until August 2, covers Brunei Darussalam, South Korea, Malaysia and Cambodia, with South Korea being the first destination.

    She is scheduled to meet government officials to discuss building upon the US’ and Korea’s efforts to mainstream disability policy across APEC working groups. Meanwhile, in the Sultanate, SAIDR Minkara will meet with government officials to discuss fostering disability inclusion across faith-based and sporting communities.

    In Malaysia and Cambodia, SAIDR Minkara will meet government officials to discuss the integration of disability policy across the ASEAN pillars. Her trip aims to mainstream disability policy within a cross section of society, highlighting its benefits to economic growth and political cooperation ahead of ASEAN and APEC 2025. – James Kon

    United States’ Special Advisor on International Disability Rights Sara Minkara. PHOTO: US DEPARTMENT OF STATE

    30 saplings planted in Tutong

    Officers and staff of ChampionX planted 30 saplings during a tree-planting event at the Sungai Penyatang Forest Reserve, Tutong District on Thursday.

    The event, organised by ChampionX in collaboration with SPHIERE Sdn Bhd and the Brunei Forestry Department at the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism, saw Ru Runang and Ru Laut saplings planted.

    ChampionX Country Manager Evan Harvey led the tree-planting, accompanied by SPHIERE Director Haji Ahmad Najib bin Haji Mohidin.

    Evan noted that ChampionX is committed to improving the environment and lives in which it operates. “We are proud to work with SPHIERE today to keep Brunei green for future generations to appreciate and enjoy,” he said. – Daniel Lim

    The participants in a group photo. PHOTO: CHAMPIONX
    ABOVE & BELOW: ChampionX Country Manager Evan Harvey and SPHIERE Sdn Bhd Director Haji Ahmad Najib bin Haji Mohidin; and participants during the tree-planting. PHOTO: CHAMPIONX
    PHOTO: CHAMPIONX

    Experience the perfect union of design and comfort

    QAF Auto Sdn Bhd yesterday launched the much anticipated all-new BMW X2 in two variants, the BMW X2 sDrive18i and BMW X2 M35i xDrive.

    Baiduri Finance Berhad Managing Director at Baiduri Bank Group Haji Haliluddin bin Dato Haji Talib was the guest of honour at the unveiling ceremony accompanied by QAF Auto General Manager Alisa Khoo.

    The first six buyers of the new BMW X2 also received tokens of appreciation from Alisa Khoo during the ceremony.

    New owner Fadhairul Md Aminurzaman said the new BMW X2 is an upgrade from “our first BMW 1 Series in 2019”, adding “The X2 is bigger and more comfortable for my wife and I commuting from Lumut to Bandar Seri Begawan.”

    Significantly larger dimensions and a pronounced coupé silhouette showcase the development leap in the exterior design of the BMW X2, with a distinctive, visually expressive design showing clear differentiation from the brand’s compact sports activity vehicle (SAV), the BMW X1.

    ABOVE & BELOW: Baiduri Finance Berhad Managing Director at Baiduri Bank Group Haji Haliluddin bin Dato Haji Talib, the guest of honour, accompanied by QAF Auto Sdn Bhd General Manager Alisa Khoo unveil the new BMW X2; and Alisa Khoo with the new owners in a group photo. PHOTO: MUIZ MATDANI
    PHOTO: MUIZ MATDANI
    ABOVE & BELOW: Photos show the interior of the vehicle; and Haji Haliluddin takes a closer look at the BMW X2 M35i xDrive. PHOTO: MUIZ MATDANI
    PHOTO: MUIZ MATDANI
    PHOTO: MUIZ MATDANI
    ABOVE & BELOW: The BMW X2 M35i xDrive; and the BMW X2 sDrive18i. PHOTO: MUIZ MATDANI
    PHOTO: MUIZ MATDANI

    The new model is also characterised by its dynamically stretched lines and a generous surface treatment.

    The all-new BMW X2 has grown by 194 millimetres (mm) in length over its predecessor to 4,554mm, 21mm in width to 1,845mm, and 64mm in height to 1,590mm. Its increased wheelbase and wider tracks benefit space in both the five seats and the boot. The BMW X2 has a luggage capacity of 560 litres (L).

    With the seats folded down, up to 1,470 litres of space can be freed. The model-specific, upright front end of the BMW X2 exudes confidence and presence, defined by striking adaptive LED headlights with non-dazzling matrix high beam and an near-hexagonal BMW kidney grille.

    The roofline, which flows along an unbroken path into the rear end, creates a slim, coupé-shaped silhouette and proportions in the signature style of an BMW SAV. At the rear, the prominently flared wheel arches and muscular shoulders come to the fore. The horizontal contours of the model-specific rear light design further enrich the sporting flavour, as do a Gurney-style spoiler and rear apron.

    M-specific design features such as the two pairs of exhaust tailpipes integrated into the rear apron give the all-new BMW X2 M35i xDrive a particularly dynamic aura.

    BMW X2 sDrive18i has a torque of 230 Nm at 1,500-4,600rpm and acceleration from 0 to 100 kilometres per hour (km/h) is at nine seconds. The BMW X2 M35i xDrive has a max torque of 400 Nm at 2,000-4,500rpm and acceleration 0 to 100km/h is at 5.4 seconds with a top speed of 250km/h.

    The first-ever BMW iX1 also made a debut during the launch, a major contributor to meeting BMW’s sustainability goals.

    The BMW Group aims to reduce the use-phase carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions of its entire fleet by another 50 per cent by 2030 compared to the figure for 2019, with a particularly rigorous approach to reducing the CO2 emissions released during production of the fifth-generation BMW eDrive technology employed in the BMW iX1. – James Kon

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