BMW to launch SUV; new bigger X3 also on the cards

Till now, you have seen Japanese and American carmakers rulling the premium-SUV space by selling their Honda CR-V, Toyota Fortuners, Chevrolet Captiva, Mitsubishi Pajero and Mitsubishi Outlander. The Japanese and American carmakers didn't have to worry about their Deutsche cousins who were sitting pretty in the fat cat segment of the market. But things are going to change soon if the Munich-based carmaker BMW gets its act right. The iconic automobile manufacturer is all set to let the cat lose among the pigeons with the BMW X1, its new and affordable crossover compact SUV.

The company is also planning to launch a fresh and bigger BMW X3 in 2010 to ward off competition from the new Audi Q5 and Mercedes-Benz latest and most petite SUV, the GLK. The BMW X3, which is the smallest SAV before the launch of the BMW X1, is increasingly being deemed passe with dated features and interiors. The new BMW X3 will move into the mould of the bigger BMW X5 with roomier innards and frills. This will also help to increase the price gap between the BMW X1 and the BMW X3. Currently, BMW X3 is being imported as a completely built unit (CBU) and sold comes with an ex-showroom price tag of roughly Rs 40 lakh. The entry-level BMW X1 on the other hand sports a rear-wheel drive (sDrive) and comes with a 1.8L gasoline engine. Overseas, a host of engine configurations are available for the BMW X1 — 1.8L in diesel and petrol, 2.0L diesel, 2.3L diesel and 2.8L petrol. Volkswagen Polo and Volkswagen Beetle cars will be soon launched in India.

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