BMW rejigs India line-up

BMW has heavily revised its India line-up with the discontinuation and introduction of variants across multiple models. The cars chiefly affected by the latest revision include the 3, 5 and 7-series in its sedan range, along with the X1 and X3 from its SUV line-up.

The biggest launch of the lot is the introduction of an M-performance 7-series. Badged the M760Li, the new range-topping 7 is powered by a 610hp, 6.6-litre, V12 petrol engine paired with BMW’s xDrive all-wheel-drive system as standard. This makes it the most powerful 7-series currently on sale in the country. BMW claims a supercar rivalling 0-100kph time of just 3.7sec for the behemoth. Compared to the regular 7-series, the M760Li gets a sportier body kit, 20-inch M alloy wheels and a new exhaust system along with V12 badging inside and out. The M760Li xDrive is available in two variants – the standard M760Li and the M760Li V12 Excellence with the former focusing on a sportier driving experience and the latter focusing more on luxury. Both M760Li xDrive variants are priced at Rs 2.27 crore (ex-showroom, Delhi).

BMW has also updated the 3-series by phasing out the 320i and replacing it with the more potent 330i from the 3-series GT. The 2.0-litre petrol unit carries forward under the hood, though power output has been upped by 68hp and 80Nm to 252hp and 350Nm. The new 330i is available in two trim levels – Sport Line and M Sport Edition, and are priced at Rs 42.4 lakh and Rs 44.9 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi), respectively.

Another addition to the line-up is the much awaited petrol X1 which BMW had confirmed for launch at the Auto Expo last year. Badged as the X1 sDrive20i, the petrol SUV is powered by a 191hp, 2.0-litre, turbocharged petrol engine paired with an eight-speed automatic gearbox. The petrol X1 is available only on the mid-level xLine trim, with equipment on offer similar to the equivalent diesel model. The petrol X1 is priced at Rs 35.75 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi) making the price identical to its diesel equivalent.

Apart from the additions, BMW has also looked to delete a few variants from some of its models. The 5-series, which is soon set to be replaced, is no longer available with a petrol engine, while the entry-level diesel model too has been axed from the line-up. Another model axed is the six-cylinder diesel X3. Badged as the xDrive30d – courtesy of the 258hp, 3.0-litre, in-line, six-cylinder diesel engine under the hood – it was only available as the range-topping M-Sport as the sportiest model in the X3 range. The X3 is now available only with the choice of four-cylinder petrol and diesel engines.

The others in the BMW line-up carry forward unchanged.