BMW India launched the 2018 edition of its M5 performance sedan at the Auto Expo 2018 in New Delhi. This sports sedan is priced at a whopping Rs 1.43 crore. Besides the M5 it also launched the touring version of its 6-series, the 6GT (Gran Turismo) at a price of Rs 58.9 lakh ex-showroom.
The BMW M5 is in its sixth generation now. It is powered by a 4.4 litre, twin-turbo, 8-cylinder petrol engine that puts out 600 bhp of power and 750 Nm of torque. It is a car targeted at performance enthusiasts. It is being imported into India as a completely built unit. It can reportedly go from 0-60 mph in 3.2 seconds.
What's different with this edition of the BMW M5 is the addition of all-wheel drive (called the M xDrive) in the sedan. Till now the M series have all been rear-wheel drive cars (and hence popular drift machines). Adding all-wheel drive makes it even grippier, and more race track focussed.
It features a matt-finish paint job and a real carbon-fibre roof, along with use of aluminium in some body panels for weight reduction.
BMW India also launched the 6GT touring car, which will be made in India at its plant in Chennai. The BMW 6GT is priced at Rs 58.9 lakh ex-showroom. The 6-series GT has a coupe-like styling, and a station-wagon type boot, which helps in carrying 610 litres of luggage. The car was launched at the Auto Expo by cricketer Sachin Tendulkar, who has been the company’s brand ambassador in India for a while.
The BMW 6GT is powered by a 2-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine with twin turbos, putting out 258 bhp of power and 400 Nm of torque, with an 8-speed automatic transmission. It can go from 0-100 kmph in 6.3 seconds.
Besides these cars, BMW also showcased its electric car line up in the form of the all-electric i3 hatchback with a range of 280 km on a single charge. It also showed its plug-in hybrid, the BMW i8 roadster, which is a convertible that can operate on both electric power alone as well as petrol.
The BMW X3 7-Series and 3-Series were also on display at the BMW pavilion.
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