BMW showcase plans for 2016 Auto Expo

BMW to showcase the new 7 Series, 3 Series facelift and the new X1 at the 2016 Delhi Auto Expo.

At the 13^th edition of the Delhi Auto Expo, BMW will be previewing three new models – new 7 Series, 3 Series facelift and the new X1. All of the models will go on sale in the country this year, starting with 7 Series first.

BMW 7 Series:

The sixth-generation of BMW’s flagship 7 Series limo will be showcased at the 2016 Delhi Auto Expo in February. Touted as the Mercedes S-Class beater, the new BMW 7 Series comes loaded with a raft of new features, frugal powertrain options, a lightweight architecture and a whole lot more in its new avatar.

On the outside, the new BMW 7 Series gets subtle design improvements over the current model. Under the skin, however, the 7 Series has been completely revamped in every way. Compared to the current car, the sixth-gen model is 130 kilograms lighter, courtesy extensive use of carbon fibre for the passenger cell of the luxo-barge. The interiors have been thoroughly revised as well, and come loaded with a host of new features and equipment.

Like the currently available model, the new 7 Series will be offered in regular and long-wheelbase versions. Globally, the petrol versions of the new model are offered with 2.0-litre four-cylinder, 3.0-litre six-cylinder and 4.4-litre V8 engine options. There’s a plug-in hybrid version as well that incorporates the aforesaid 2.0-litre petrol engine along with an electric motor. The diesel versions of the new 7 Series are only offered with a 3.0-litre, six-cylinder engine.  All the engines come mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission.

BMW 3-Series facelift

In international markets, the BMW 3 Series has recently received some mid-life updates. Improvements are mostly cosmetic in nature but there are some minor yet significant mechanical revisions as well. The 3 Series facelift will be showcased at the auto expo this year, and may as well go on sale in the country soon after that.

Updates on the new 3 Series include re-sculpted front and rear bumpers, addition of full-LED headlamps (optional) and subtle design changes inside the cabin. Powertrain wise, the new 3 Series is expected to continue with the same 2.0-litre, four-cylinder diesel engine in the Indian market, albeit in a slightly uprated tune. BMW also insists that the refreshed 3 Series has been improved dynamically with a stiffened suspension setup and a more precise steering.

BMW X1

Upon its launch in 2011, the first-gen BMW X1 became the most affordable luxury car in the Indian car market. While the X1 enjoyed first mover advantage in its segment for a couple of months, its success was short lived once the competition entered the market in the form of the Audi Q3 and Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class. Ever since then the X1 has been playing second fiddle to its rivals.

At the 2016 Delhi Auto Expo, BMW will be showcasing the second-gen X1 that will be go on sale here subsequently. Compared to the first-gen model, the new X1 is built completely from the ground-up and is underpinned by BMW group’s latest UKL platform (the new Mini Cooper and BMW 2 Series are also based around the same architecture). Shifting to a new platform has brought along some major drivetrain modifications, meaning the X1 is now made in a front-wheel drive configuration. All-wheel drive versions will continue to be offered though.

Thanks to the new platform, the new X1 is 135 kilograms lighter than its predecessor. Internationally, the second-gen BMW X1 is offered with 2.0-litre, four-cylinder, petrol and diesel engines. Expect the same to be offered here as well.

Apart from the new trio of cars, BMW is also expected to showcase the new 1 Series at the event. Late in 2015, BMW India updated its website with the new 1 Series replacing the older model along with revised price tag. As per some reports, the company had also started accepting bookings of the car, although in limited numbers.

Also read: 6th Gen BMW 7 Series Review, First Drive