BMW India had a slow 2018 with only a few new model introductions. However, for 2019, the German carmaker is firing on all cylinders and has lined up no less than twelve new launches for our market. This story was first published in the Autocar India January 2019 issue which is already on stands.
The new X4 is likely to be the first model headed to India. To be assembled from CKD kits, the SUV-coupé is likely to come with a 252hp, 2.0-litre petrol engine and a 265hp, 3.0-litre diesel motor. The performance-oriented BMW X4M and the X3M are also lined-up to launch in 2019.
BMW will also not waste any time bringing in the latest 3 Series sedan (G20) to India. The model should be available by the middle of 2019. The new 3 Series will come with the current car’s engine options – a more powerful version of the 2.0-litre turbo-petrol in the 330i with 258hp and 400Nm of torque and a 2.0-litre diesel producing 190hp and 400Nm of torque. Both will be mated to 8-speed automatic gearboxes. Around the same time, the all-new X5 will be introduced as well. It’ll come with a 340hp, 3.0-litre turbo-petrol engine and a 265hp, 3.0-litre turbo-diesel mill.
BMW’s biggest SUV, the recently unveiled X7, will make its India debut on January 31, 2019 before going on sale later in the year. The new flagship SUV from BMW will take on the Mercedes GLS in our market. The X7 comes with all the bells and whistles, and gets the option of a six-seat or a seven-seat layout. It is 5.1m long and promises adequate legroom for all three rows of seats.
The yet-to-be-revealed next-gen BMW X6 is on the cards as well. The latest iteration of the original SUV-coupé will sit on the X5’s underpinnings. BMW could also assemble it in India, just like it does the X4.
BMW will also bring the new 8 Series to India, though the range will be limited to only the M8 coupé and cabriolet. The models are expected to see a world premiere at the Frankfurt motor show 2019, and will be powered by a 4.4-litre V8 churning out more than 600hp.
The new BMW Z4 will also make it to our shores this year. The folding hard-top model will likely be offered with two engine options – a 340hp, 3.0-litre six-cylinder petrol and a 2.0-litre petrol unit good for 258hp.
Aside from the new launches, BMW will also roll-out mid-cycle updates for the X1 and its flagship sedan, the 7 Series. The luxury limo will come with more features and is expected to get updated styling, including an oversized kidney grille.