rushilkumar27 BMW makes some of the most dynamically-focused sedans and SUVs in the market and the brand’s appeal has drawn in plenty of buyers across India with its range of cars it has to offer. The price range stars from ₹ 37.2 lakh for the X1 and goes all the way up to ₹ 2.18 crore for their luxury GT, the M8.
BMW X1
For the Indian market, the entry-level luxury compact SUV segment is perhaps one of the most important, particularly when it comes to sales figures. The X1 from BMW Cars takes on the likes of Audi’s aging Q3 and Mercedes Benz’s new GLA. We’ll take a little about the design first. Like all BMW Cars, the new X1 too gets a big kidney grille up-ahead but is free of chrome. Even the front bumper is new and it features restyled LED headlights. The overall design is attractive and the 17-inch wheels give it a good stance.
At the rear, the BMW X1 gets stylish LED taillights and bigger exhaust tips. Inside the X1, BMW Cars have equipped the SUV with an 8.8-inch touchscreen system, BMW’s i-Drive interface, wireless Apple CarPlay, and configurable ambient lighting. The X1 is powered by a 2.0-liter, four-cylinder diesel producing 187bhp and 400Nm of torque, and the new engine meets BS6 norms. Refinement levels have improved over the older model and power delivery is linear. Paired to the engine is 8-speed automatic transmission. The X1 is available only as a front-wheel-drive model for the Indian market.
BMW 3-Series
For BMW, the most significant model in their line-up is the 3-Series sedan. The new 7th-generation model brings with it more luxury and comfort. Coming to the way it looks, the new BMW 3-Series has grown larger; it’s even a little longer and a smidgen taller than before. It continues to have that sporty look with the slimmer-than-usual kidney grille up ahead.
The full-LED headlamps look attractive along with those T-shaped elements below, but since this is the standard 3-Series, the bumper is quite subtle to look at, unlike its hardcore version, the M340i. The rear looks tidy and the dual exhausts come standard. However, you can opt for the M Sport body kit as well. Like all generations of the 3-Series, you sit low, giving you that sporty feeling. The dashboard is modern and gets its touchscreen mounted up high.
Quality and finish are excellent and it can see in the AC vents and knurled controllers. But there are some rather ordinary-looking bits like the gear lever and iDrive controller. We’ve had the chance to sample the 3-Series powered by 2.0-liter diesel engine producing 187bhp and 400Nm of torque. Instead of a twin-scroll turbo, the car gets a pair of sequential turbos. The engine has a good punch in the mid-range and acceleration has improved. If we were to compare cars in India, the 3-Series takes on the Merc C-Class, Audi’s A4 and Volvo’s S60.
BMW X5
The X5 was the Bavarian brand’s first SUV and it has made waves ever since. It has been known to be sporty and versatile, making it one of the favorites among luxury SUV buyers. Even in the Indian market, the X5 has found many happy buyers from the last three generations. The fourth-generation model brings more of the focus on luxury, something our buyers are looking for. The new X5 is larger in flesh; it’s also longer, wider, and taller.
The SUV sports sharp lines and features a chrome-heavy kidney grille, flanked by stylish headlights, featuring BMW’s Laserlight high-beam system and it gets new LED corona ring DRLs. The side profile includes prominent wheel arches, giving it good muscle. Inside the X5, there is more space and the back seat is rather comfortable and there’s lots of luggage room, thanks to 650 liters of capacity. Gone are the jump seats; you now get a space-saver spare tire.
The X5 is powered by a straight-six diesel engine, mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission. The motor develops 261bhp and 620Nm of torque, which is more than enough to pull the hefty X5. The SUV is quick; it can sprint from 0-100kph in 6.55 seconds. Also, the engine is smooth and refined. When we compare cars in India with the X5, there are rivals from Mercedes, Volvo, and Mercedes-Benz.
