Sonia Ong Connects With the BMW 7 Series’ Strength of Character

Words by Wayne Rée

January 19, 2021

Cover Sonia Ong

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The founder of Urbanski and chair of Rollersports Vision 2030 talks elegance, entrepreneurship and the invigorating power of a morning teh

A strong character. It’s a trait that’s as nebulous as it is telling, but it’s something you can spot almost immediately. As Sonia Ong drives all around Singapore in the BMW 7 Series, what becomes clear is that it’s a trait that both she and the vehicle share.

The daughter of socialite Nancy Ong, Sonia has certainly carved a path all her own. As an entrepreneur, she started Urbanski—a training and travel company that brings the sport of rollerskiing to the region—in late 2019.

As an extension of that passion, Sonia is also the chair of Rollersports Vision 2030, an initiative designed to “identify skills and equipment gaps” in our national rollersports athletes—all with the end goal of sending those athletes to the Olympics.

The BMW 7 Series features a number of comprehensive updates. Which of these do you feel best complement you, as a person—the confident presence of its exterior, the inspirational style of its interior, or the innovative control offered by its cutting-edge technology?

Sonia Ong (SO) I am all for the cutting-edge technology and user experience of the 7 Series. We took the car out for a long spin around Singapore and one of the first things I noticed was the holographic dashboard on the windshield. That was straight out of Mission: Impossible!

As we were speeding down the highway, the steering wheel thankfully kept me in my lane. I love technology that way—you can get from Point A to Point B safely, without lifting a muscle.

From skateboarders to urbanskiiers—you’ve surrounded yourself with some truly dynamic people, so we’re interested to get your take: what sort of feelings does the dynamism and elegance of the 7 Series’ exterior inspire in you?

SO When I was growing up, my mom’s second car was a 7 Series, and she used to drive me home in it from school. As you may know, my mother is very elegant, and the elegance of the 7 Series reminds me of her. I feel very at home in the car.

One of the 7 Series’ most innovative features is the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant—a digital helper that, among many other capabilities, can learn its driver’s routines and habits. What are the routines and habits you’ve cultivated to help you become the person you are today?

SO Routines and habits are so important when you enjoy entrepreneurship and business. Without them, you can’t get the humdrum, but necessary, tasks done. I enjoy an 8am teh or latte many workday mornings, to motivate me through those many necessary tasks.

I felt like an expert—but it was probably the car.

—Sonia Ong

Above BMW 7 Series

As the founder of Urbanski and the chair of Rollersports Vision 2030, you’re certainly no stranger to athletes handling themselves well on wheels. Having been behind the wheel of the BMW 7 Series yourself, how do you feel it handles on the road?

SO I was behind that wheel for hours and the drive was smooth and enjoyable. Yes, I will liken it to how the best athletes make whatever complicated thing they do look so easy. In this case, I had nothing to do with it. We sped through highways, cut through busy lanes and made so many U-turns for repeat takes. I felt like an expert—but it was probably the car.

What, to you, is the definition of a strong character in a car and a person?

SO Strong, for a car, is definitely a hard shell, and the speed and horsepower to overcome any obstacle. I suppose that’s also the mark of a strong character in a person.

THE ATTRIBUTES OF A STRONG CHARACTER

That confident exterior and power without limits are certainly traits that you’ll find in the BMW 7 Series—but those are just two of the features that add up to form the whole of this luxury sedan.

You could, for example, talk about the lush, exclusive Nappa leather-covered surfaces that, together with clever design and ambient lighting, create a truly harmonious interior—all to provide a safe, welcoming space. Or you could talk some more about the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant and how it not only remembers your routines and habits, but also your routes.

Owning a BMW 7 Series gives you access to a world of exclusive lifestyle privileges, elevated experiences and intuitive services through the BMW Excellence Club, an exclusive owners club.

But that would still only scratch the surface. The fact is that it’s the sum of its parts—and so much more—that demonstrates why the BMW 7 Series is the definition of a strong character.

BMW 7 SERIES

BMW 730Li

● Engine: Four-cylinder engine with BMW TwinPower Turbo technology

● Max Power: 265hp at 5,000 to 6,500rpm

● Max Torque: 400Nm at 1,550 – 4,500rpm

● Acceleration: 0 to 100km/h in 6.3 sec

● Top Speed: 250km/h

● Fuel Consumption: 7.1L/100km

● Price (including COE): From $420,888

● Agent: Performance Motors, 303 Alexandra Road, tel: 6319 0100

BMW 740Li

● Engine: Six-cylinder engine BMW TwinPower Turbo technology

● Max Power: 340hp at 5,500 to 6,500rpm

● Max Torque: 450Nm at 1,500 to 5,200rpm

● Acceleration: 0 to 100km/h in 5.6 sec

● Top Speed: 250km/h

● Fuel Consumption: 7.9L/100km

● Price (including COE): From $481,888

● Agent: Performance Motors, 303 Alexandra Road, tel: 6319 0100

BMW 745Le xDrive

● Engine: Six-cylinder engine with synchronous electric motor

● Max Power: 286hp at 5,000 to 6,000rpm (petrol engine), 113hp (electric motor), 394hp (combined)

● Max Torque: 450Nm at 1,500 to 3,500rpm (petrol engine), 265Nm (electric motor), 600 Nm (combined)

● Acceleration: 0 to 100km/h in 5.1 sec

● Top speed: 250km/h (petrol engine), 140km/h (electric)

● Fuel Consumption: 2.8L/100km

● Electric Power Consumption: 19.5kWh/100km

● Electric Range: 50 – 54km

● Price (including COE): From $512,888

● Agent: Performance Motors, 303 Alexandra Road, tel: 6319 0100

Prices shown are indicative (on January 8, 2021) and may change anytime without prior notice. Contact Performance Motors at 1800-2266-269 for more information.