BMW launches cheapest X1 model in India

German Luxury carmaker BMW on Thursday launched a new sports utility vehicle, X1, in India. Priced at 2.2- 2.9 million rupees (ex-showroom Delhi), X1 is the company's a cheapest model in the country.

The new BMW X1 is a modern vehicle that for the first time brings premium BMW characteristics into the compact vehicle segment. The new BMW X1 sets a benchmark by bringing together features of a Sports Activity Vehicle with spontaneous flexibility and outstanding fuel economy, BMW India President Dr. Andreas Schaaf said.

The diesel engine gives a power of 177 BHP and torque of 350 Nm from 1750 to 3000 rpm. The petrol engine gives a power of 150 BHP with a torque of 200 Nm at 3600 rpm.

BMW claims that the diesel variant takes 8.3 seconds to attain a speed of 100 kmph whereas the petrol variant takes 10.4 seconds. All variants have six speed automatic gearboxes.

The company quoting ARAI figures, says the fuel efficiency for diesel variant will be 15.24 kmpl and that of petrol to be 11.24 kmpl.

Earlier, last week BMW regained top slot in January-November period after a fierce battle for numbers with compatriot Mercedes Benz in the Indian luxury car market, inching closer to be the leader in 2010. BMW sold 5,345 units compared to 5,109 units sold by Mercedes Benz during the last 11 months of this year.

The company will assemble the X1 at its Chennai plant for which it has invested around 1.8 billion rupees. The facility recently boosted its production capacity to 5,400 units per year on a single shift basis from 3,000 units earlier. The auto giant will further invest Rs 70 crore by 2012 to add more capacity.

The new BMW X1 will be CKD (completely knocked-down unit) produced in India and the all India ex-showroom prices are as follows:

The new BMW X1 sDrive18i : 2.2 million rupees

The new BMW X1 sDrive20d : 2.39 million rupees

The new BMW X1 sDrive 20d Exclusive : 2.99 million rupees