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British premium small car brand MINI, part of the BMW group, has entered India with the formal unveiling of three of its models at the Auto Expo here on Thursday.
The cars are priced in the Rs 24.9 lakh to Rs 32 lakh price range. While the UK brand currently has six models in its portfolio, BMW India will initially introduce three basic models as imported CBUs. The MINIs that are to be launched are the MINI Cooper, the MINI Cooper S, the Cooper Convertible and the Cooper S Countryman.
India is the 100th market that the iconic brand has entered. The cars will be available right away for buyers to place orders. However, independent dealerships for MINI cars will be set up within the next few months. Three dealerships, two in Delhi and one in Mumbai, are due to be set up this year.
MINI's British manufacturing association and its history make it a popular lifestyle brand with a big global following. About two million new MINIs (after BMW's takeover) have taken the roads since 2001. The brand has 2.6 million Facebook fans worldwide and about 15,000 fans on its new MINI India Facebook page.
All the MINIs being launched will sport petrol engines that will be paired with automatic transmissions.
M5 launched
BMW India has launched the M5, its most successful high-performance sedan, produced by its performance division — BMW Motorsport GmbH. This is the fifth generation of the sedan and is targeted at demanding and discerning buyers in the category. The new M5 is priced at Rs 95.9 lakh, ex-showroom.
The M5 is acclaimed for its combination of power, luxury, sportiness and practicality. It is powered by a newly developed, high-revving 4.4 litre V8 engine with M TwinPower Turbo technology, that can produce a maximum output of 560 hp. It can accelerate from 0 to 100 kmph in 4.4 seconds and breaks the 200 kmph barrier in 13 seconds with a top speed of 250 kmph.
The car can be ordered as a CBU (completely built-up) unit at BMW dealerships across the country.
Also showcased at the Auto Expo is an exclusive, limited-edition BMW Individual 7 Series (BMW 750Li) inspired by piano manufacturer Steinway & Sons, as part of a joint initiative between BMW and Steinway & Sons to promote and nurture young musicians at the national and international level. Steinway and Sons' edition of the BMW 7 Series can be ordered as a CBU unit.
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