X1 to be launched by 2010 end

BMW has announced that it will launch the X1 in India by 2010. Shipped in as a CKD unit, the BMW X1 will be assembled at the company’s plant in Chennai.

Slated as the smallest SUV from the BMW stable, X1 will be powered by a 2.0-litre diesel engine and it will be the cheapest BMW in the country. The SUV will be available with a 4x4 and a rear-wheel drive option and it’s the latter that will be the cheaper of the two.

Scheduled to be launched by the end of 2010, the X1 will be produced alongside the 3-series and 5-series at BMW’s Chennai plant. The CKD production of the X1 is regarded as a key milestone in BMW Group’s India strategy. The X1 will extend the current BMW Sports Activity Series model lineup, currently consisting of the BMW X3, BMW X5, and the BMW X6.

The company has also launched the limited edition of the new BMW Gran Turismo in Bangalore. The new 400bhp, twin-turbo direct-injected 4.4-litre V-8 550i Gran Turismo will be available to only the elite few as the company has put only 100 units of BMW GTs on sale in India.

The BMW GT will appeal to the enthusiasts looking out for a vehicle with a combination of sedan with touring car flexibility and the versatility of an SUV. And with a price tag of Rs 63 lakh (ex-showroom) it is sure to find ample buyers.