2016 Auto Expo: BMW to launch new X1 and 7 Series

BMW has quite a portfolio this time around, for the 2016 Auto Expo. But by far the biggest impact this year for BMW will be made by the sixth generation 7-series.

7-series

With the sixth generation 7-series BMW just might jump ahead of all its competitors in the super luxury sedan segment for compared to the outgoing 7-series, the new one nothing short of a revolution. BMW still emphasizes on the car’s drivability but now the car features comfort equipment comparable to a super luxury Yacht; touchscreen interface for seat adjustment, rear passenger infotainment system, Connected Drive System, gesture control, best quality materials, you name it and it’s there.

But the most revolutionary aspect of the car is the way it is constructed. It employs BMW’s new Carbon Core technology which makes carbon-fibre reinforced plastic or CFRP an essential material in the construction of the car along with high strength steel and aluminium. The CFRP is employed at specific sections on the shell which experience intense directional forces, like the B-pillar, front windshield and roof sections. This helps in keeping the chassis rigid and also help divert forces away from the cabin in the event of a crash. In addition, this method has also helped BMW save 130kg of dead weight over the previous car which not only helps performance but efficiency as well.

Along with being a revolutionary car, the new 7-series also promises to be a great handler. The versions most likely coming to India would be the 730Ld with a 3.0 straight six diesel engine, the 740Li with the 3.0-lite straight six petrol engine and the 750Li with the 4.4-litre V8 petrol mill. Internationally, BMW has also introduced the 740e which employs a 258PS 4-cylinder petrol engine along with a 113PS electric motor but it coming to India is as unlikely as rainfall in the Atacama.

BMW X1

The BMW X1 was the car that introduced the compact luxury SUV segment in India, despite it looking more like an elongated hatchback than a proper SUV. But with the new X1 set for its India debut at the Auto Expo 2016, it now looks all grown up and like a proper compact SUV. The sales of the X1 had been on the decline as it faced stiff competition from its other European counterparts like the Audi Q3 and the Mercedes GLA. But all that could soon change. The new X1 is built on BMW’s brand new front wheel drive platform, though the RWD configuration will be missed but BMW promises that it still drives like a BMW should. In addition the front driven wheels have also helped BMW free up more space in the cabin. The engine is most likely to be BMW’s 2.0litre 4-cylinder diesel motor. It might also be offered with an xDrive variant. 

1 Series

The smallest BMW in the country is also all set to get an overhaul. Though aesthetically, the car will remain relatively the same but will feature a redesigned bumper, new headlamps and redesigned tail lamps. The most significant change though is that the hatch will now be offered with a front wheel drive layout compared to the existing rear wheel drive configuration. The move will make the car more cost effective and more affordable whilst also freeing up more space in the cabin, especially the rear bench. But we also sincerely hope and pray that it remains as good to drive as the RWD version.