BMW India has revealed its plans for the upcoming Auto Expo 2014 which will be held at Greater Noida in February. The Bavarian car maker will be displaying offerings from its BMW and Mini brands at Hall number 15 of the India Expo Mart, this year’s venue.
The new BMW 3-series GT will get its Indian market launch at the Auto Expo 2014. It is essentially a longer, wider and taller version of the 3-series that promises the interior space of a 5-series, the versatility of an X3 and the relative compactness of a 3-series saloon. The most important bit, however, is that its wheelbase is 110mm longer than the saloon, which translates to much more legroom for the rear seat. The new BMW 3-series GT will come to India with two diesel engine variants – the four-cylinder 320d and six-cylinder 330d, both of which will use an eight-speed automatic gearbox.
BMW will also showcase three of its newest models at its show stand, each of which, BMW says, represents a different kind of 'Sheer Driving Pleasure'. The three sections – ‘M’, ‘X’ and ‘i’ – will be represented by the new BMW M6 Gran Coupé, the new BMW X5 SUV and finally the cutting-edge BMW i8 hybrid sportscar, respectively.
A high-performance ‘M’ version of the the 6-series Gran Coupé that's already on sale here, the M6 Gran Coupé uses the same 552bhp, twin-turbocharged, 4.4-litre V8 petrol engine and seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox as the BMW M5. Meanwhile, the new, third-generation X5, while it shares much of its underpinnings with the older model, has been thoroughly updated and refined in all areas.
As we reported previously, the new BMW i8 hybrid sportscar will also be on display at the 2014 Auto Expo, with a launch likely later in the year. The high-tech, carbon-bodied sportscar will become the new BMW flagship, and the most expensive model in the range, at an estimated Rs 1.5 crore, ex-showroom.
While these cars will take centre stage at the BMW pavilion, the company will also display its entire range of luxury cars currently on sale in the Indian market.
Also on display at Hall 15 will be the entire range of models from the BMW Group-owned Mini brand. The Mini range in India includes the Mini Cooper hatchback and convertible, and the Mini Countryman SUV in both petrol and diesel guises. Mini will also be displaying a range of accessories from its John Cooper Works high-performance sub-brand, for the Mini Countryman S SUV.
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