BMW has had an action-packed 2023 with several new launches like the X1 and the 7 Series, as well as updates to the X5 and X7 SUVs. The following year will see the German brand bring an all-new generation of one of its most important models – the 5 Series – along with its all-electric sibling. And while Mini had a relatively quiet year in India, in the coming year, the brand is going to update both the Cooper and Countryman with new-gen models. Let’s take a closer look.
BMW 5 Series
Expected price: Rs 70 lakh-80 lakh
Expected launch: Late 2024
The new generation of the 5 Series, expectedly, will be larger and comfier than the outgoing car and, like the new 7 Series, will also feature a twin-screen layout on the inside – a 12.3-inch instrument cluster and 14.9-inch touchscreen – with the latest iDrive 8.5 system. Interestingly, it’s the first BMW to offer a fully vegan interior option overseas. This new 5 Series line-up gets 2.0-litre petrol and diesel engines, both with 48V mild-hybrid technology, and plug-in hybrid powertrains, the latter of which are unlikely to come to India. The biggest news, however, is that BMW will be bringing the long-wheelbase version of the 5 Series to India to take on the next-gen Mercedes-Benz E-Class long wheelbase head-on.
BMW i5
Expected price: Rs 90 lakh-1 crore
Expected launch: Late 2024
The new 5 Series will spawn an electric version called the i5, and is available in two iterations overseas – M60 xDrive and eDrive40, both featuring an 81.2kWh battery pack. The M60 is a sportier twin-motor all-wheel-drive version, which produces 601hp and 820Nm of torque; accelerates from 0-100kph in just 3.8 seconds; and has an electronically limited top speed of 230kph. The latter features a single motor that drives the rear wheels and produces 340hp and 430Nm, with a 0-100kph time of 6 seconds. The WLTP range is up to 516km for the twin-motor and 582km for the single-motor version. It will feature a twin-screen layout on the inside – a 12.3-inch instrument cluster and a 14.9-inch touchscreen – with the latest iDrive 8.5 system. It, however, remains to be seen which version of the i5 is brought to India.
Mini Cooper SE
Expected price: Rs 58 lakh
Expected launch: Early 2024
The new three-door electric hatchback sits on a bespoke EV platform, developed by Spotlight Automotive, a China-based joint venture between Mini’s parent firm BMW and Great Wall Motor. It builds on Mini’s design themes with circular headlights, a new, larger octagonal front grille with blanked-out surfaces, and it now sports triangular tail-lights. And while the wheelbase is longer to make space for the battery, its overall length has reduced. Its interior design still echoes a retro-cool theme, the talking point being its one-of-a-kind circular 9.4-inch OLED infotainment screen developed with Samsung. The base Cooper E has an 184hp, 290Nm front-mounted motor and a 40.7kWh battery, with a claimed range of 305km. The Cooper SE produces 218hp and 330Nm, with a 0-100kph time of 6.7 seconds, and a 54.2kWh battery that gives it a claimed range of 402km.
Mini Countryman
Expected price: Rs 50 lakh-65 lakh
Expected launch: Mid 2024
Mini’s five-door crossover will be headed to India in its third-gen avatar. The new car has grown in size and, as a result, cabin space has also expanded, featuring an extra 130mm of legroom in the back. The rear seat backrests are now individually adjustable in six positions by up to 12 degrees too; boot space is 460 litres. Notably, the Countryman will be the first Mini to offer Level 2 ADAS. In international markets, the Countryman gets electric, turbo-petrol as well as diesel powertrains. We expect the 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol and electric models to be launched in India.
The electric version is available in two configurations: the single-motor, rear-wheel-drive Countryman E with 204hp and 250Nm, and the dual-motor, four-wheel-drive Countryman SE All4 with 313hp and 494Nm of torque. Both feature a 66.45kWh battery, which offers official ranges of 462km and 433km, respectively, but it remains to be seen which one makes it to India.
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Viraaj Bhatnagar
Uday Singh
Suraj Viswanathan
