BMW X1 offers exchange benefit of Rs.3 Lakhs

The German auto maker, BMW has announced a limited period exchange offer with its X1 comapct Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) in the Indian auto market. Interestingly, the company has reduced the price of its X1 by Rs. 3 lakh for customers who are willing to exchange their old cars with it. It must be noted that the additional discount of Rs. 3 lakh offered in exchange of old car is available on the on road price of the car and not on the ex-showroom tag. Also, this offer is on air for a limited period only and is valid till 31st July 2013.

Industry experts feel that this lucrative deal may seem as a deliberate move by the luxury car maker to attract customers towards its entry level compact SUV just ahead of the much anticipated launch of Audi Q3 S. Due for its launch in the Indian auto market for August 2013, Audi Q3 S happens to be a low cost model, which will come as a locally made variant of Q3. Auto analysts are of view that the move of BMW can also be seen as an attempt to decrease the pre-bookings of upcoming Audi Q3 S.

On the other hand, Audi had successfully managed to topple BMW from its perch after 4 years in 2013. So, in order to continue its reign Audi had decided to roll out Q3 S, which is expected to carry a price tag of around Rs. 25 lakh in the Indian market. This car will be locally assembled at the Aurangabad plant of Audi and hence will be the lowest priced model for the brand with four rings in India.

It is expected that the new Audi Q3 S will be equipped with a 2.0-litre engine that can produce a maximum power output of 140 bhp while churning a maximum torque of 320 Nm. It is being widely stated that new car will be deprived of an Quattro system and will be rolled out with a front-wheel drive layout. Furthermore, the 7-speed automatic gearbox will be give way for the conventional 6-speed manual transmission system. In order to cut down the cost, the company may compromise on several features like day time running lights, xenon headlamps, reverse parking camera and power assist feature in its economical variant of Q3.

Meanwhile, the current version of BMW X1 is equipped with an 8-speed automatic transmission system, along with a chunkier engine, which is a major advantage of it as compared to the upcoming Audi Q3 Sport.