BMW India has released a statement, confirming local assembly of its upcoming X4 and X7 models. The SUVs will be the tenth and eleventh models to be locally assembled at the German carmaker’s Chennai plant which already produces the 3 Series, 3 Series Gran Turismo, 5 Series, 6 Series Gran Turismo, 7 Series, X1, X3, X5 and the Mini Countryman.
BMW will unveil the X7 M50d in India on January 31, 2019. However, this top-spec variant will be brought as a CBU and will be priced at around Rs 1.6 crore (ex-showroom). The xDrive40i and the xDrive30d variants will be locally assembled and launched in September 2019.
The BMW X7, in the M50d guise, will be powered by a quad-turbocharged, 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder diesel engine that produces 400hp and 760Nm of torque. The locally assembled X7 will get a 340hp, 3.0-litre straight-six turbo-petrol engine in the xDrive40i variant and a 265hp, 3.0-litre straight-six turbo-diesel in the xDrive30d variant. All engines are mated to an 8-speed automatic gearbox and will feature the brand’s xDrive four-wheel drive system with surface-specific modes.
The BMW X4 will also be launched in the first quarter of this year. The SUV-coupe will be locally assembled from CKD kits and is likely to feature a 252hp, 2.0-litre petrol engine and a 265hp, 3.0-litre diesel mill. Both engines will come paired to an 8-speed automatic gearbox.
BMW India is slated to launch 12 new models in 2019, including the X4 and the X7 SUVs. The BMW X4 will rival the Mercedes-Benz GLC coupe and the Range Rover Evoque in our market whereas the X7 will take on the Mercedes-Benz GLS and the Land Rover Discovery.
Also see:
2018 BMW X4 review, test drive
New BMW X4 spotted testing prior to launch
BMW clocks 13 percent sales growth in 2018