BMW X1, 5 Series petrol to be launched soon

After bringing back the petrol 3 Series, BMW will soon add petrol versions of the X1 and 5 Series for the Indian market.

BMW has started assembling the new X1 at its Chennai facility for the domestic market. The second-gen X1 was launched in the country earlier this year at the Delhi Auto Expo. While BMW is only offering the X1 with a diesel engine as of now, a petrol version is in the offing as well. As per some sources, it should be made available within a couple of months.

Based around BMW’s UKL platform for front-/all-wheel drive vehicles, the new X1 has been built completely from the ground up. BMW offers it in four trims in the country, all diesels, namely - Expedition sDrive20d, xLine sDrive20d, xLine xDrive20d and xDrive20d. All the variants are powered by a 1,995cc in-line four diesel engine developing 188bhp and 400Nm, paired with an 8-speed automatic gearbox. The sDrive variants send power to front-wheels whereas the xDrive variants get all-wheel drive.

The petrol variant of the luxury crossover is expected to be launched in sDrive20i featuring a 1,998cc turbocharged inline-four petrol engine producing 189bhp and 280Nm. This will also come with an 8-speed automatic transmission. An all-wheel drive or xDrive20i trim may also be offered.

The diesel variants of the BMW X1 are priced between Rs 29.90 lakh and Rs 39.90 lakh (ex-showroom, New Delhi). Expect the petrol version to be priced slightly lower than that, making the X1 more affordable. Competition for the BMW X1 includes the Audi Q3 and Mercedes-Benz GLA.

Before the X1 petrol though, BMW will be launching the 5 Series with a petrol powertrain, badged the 520i. It will come powered by the same 181bhp/270Nm producing 1,997cc turbocharged in-line four engine as the recently launched 320i.

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