India is turning into an important market for automotive manufacturers and BMW proved this fact by showcasing its hybrid sportscar, the i8, at the 2014 Auto Expo in Delhi. Now, the Bavarian car maker is expected to launch this flagship product from its stable for the Indian car market in early 2015. And good news does not end here. After launching the i8, BMW is also expected to launch the five-door MINI in India in early to mid 2015.
The BMW i8 is powered by two engines. A 131 hp electric motor is clubbed with a BMW TwinPower Turbo 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol engine that puts out 231 hp. Together, the two units deliver a total of 362 hp. The power propels the i8 from naught to 100 kph in 4.4 seconds. Only using the battery power, the i8 can achieve top speed of 120 km/h with a maximum range of 35 kilometres. The combination of battery powered engine with the petrol engine can take the e-powered supercar to up to 250 kph. The BMW i8 will be launched in India as a CBU (Completely Built-up) unit and is expected to cost around INR 1.5 crores ex-showroom. The company will set up special iDealers in metrocities like Delhi, Mumbai and Chennai to retail its hybrid cars.
Another product to make way to Indian shores is the BMW MINI. The five-door version of the MINI Countryman is expected to reach showrooms by early to mid 2105. This car too would come as a CBU and is expected to be priced around Rs 25-30 lakh.
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