Please Tell Us Your City

location icon
    location iconClose
      Sorry!! No Matching Results found. Try Again.
      Close

      BMW set to introduce much awaited 1 Series range on Indian turf in 2013

      CarTrade Editorial Team

      CarTrade Editorial Team

      The Indian arm of BMW, a globally renowned sports and luxury car maker, has announced to launch its cheapest product, the 1 Series hatchback in the country somewhere around first half of 2013. The upcoming 1 Series will also mark the German auto major's entry into Indian premium luxury small car segment.

       

      BMW set to introduce much awaited 1 Series range on Indian turf in 2013
      BMW set to introduce much awaited 1 Series range on Indian turf in 2013
       

      Reportedly, it has also been revealed that BMW will be bringing its 1 Series models through Completely Knocked Down (CKD) route, thereby some aggressive pricing is nothing but imminent. The German auto major's Chennai based production unit is believed to be taking care of the assembling operations of its upcoming 1 Series hatchbacks. At present, BMW India's Chennai facility assembles X1 compact Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV), X3 SUV along with 3 Series and 5 Series luxury saloons.

      Further, the annual production output of company's Chennai production unit is close to 11,000 units per year and addition of 1 Series could pose a few problems for the German auto maker for meeting the demand. Hence, BMW will surely be looking at ramping up its annual yield, in order to cater to rising demand, in the event of yet-to-be launched 1 Series hatch becoming its next top seller in the Indian auto market.

      The upcoming BMW 1 Series is a premium luxury model in a hatchback guise and has been imbibed with true German blood – sheer class and quality. The peppy Beamer comes trimmed with an impressive power-mill, superb driving dynamics and has been pegged as a 'fun automobile', due to the unmatched easement it provides while steering through tricky city traffic.

      Coming to under-the-hood specifications, the yet-to-be launched BMW 1 Series is expected to be introduced with two engine options in both petrol and diesel guises. The petrol variant 1 Series will incorporate a 1.6 litre powertrain, which will be tweaked to generate different power output in its two versions, one around 140 bhp and the other close to 170 bhp. The diesel variant of 1 Series is anticipated to feature a 2.0 litre powerplant with power outputs around 150 bhp and 180 bhp, according to the model. However, it is highly unlikely that BMW India will launch so many versions of 1 Series range, because of its limited localised assembly operations in the country.

      The Indian car aficionados have been rejoicing the idea of BMW 1 Series scorching local roads for quite some time now. However, there is no true competition for the upcoming 1 Series on Indian turf at the moment, but like BMW its fellow German auto maker Mercedes Benz has also revealed intentions to introduce its A Class in the country soon. In many international markets, the BMW 1 Series and Mercedes Benz A Class hatchbacks compete against each other head to head and hence, some stiff face off is expected in domestic auto market as well, in near future.

      The German auto major is anticipated to launch its much hyped 1 Series hatch with a price tag close to Rs. 18 lacs in the country. Accordingly, Mercedes Benz who recently launched their B Class Sports Tourer around the same price tag, will surely be closely following the proceedings related to upcoming BMW 1 Series. In all fairness, it is to the benefit of Indian consumers who will keep their fingers crossed awaiting the launch of two global best sellers on home turf next year.

      1 series | BMW 1 Series | BMW