BMW India was the first German carmaker in India to introduce a hybrid supercar in the Indian market, that was the i8. Even globally, BMW was the first German giant to step in electric mobility with the i3 and i8. But since then, it lost track until now, BMW has laid out over 25 electric models globally till 2023. BMW India is also considering two of its fully electric models for the Indian market. BMW Electric cars India launch is slated for 2022 and most likely, both the i4 and iX SUV will be launched via the CBU route.
BMW Electric Cars India launch in 2022
In a recent interview, Vikram Pawah, President, BMW India also stated that the brand could also assemble its electric vehicles at its facility in Chennai if demand is sufficient. He also added, ”If the tariffs continue like this, we will fall behind. Until and unless we create a demand for the latest technology we cannot invest in it. The tariffs need to be reduced to create that demand and market. And I think that’s a great opportunity for India right now”. Vikram puts emphasis to reduce import duties on electric vehicles before considering local assembly. Doing so will help carmakers to gauge the demand for electric vehicles.
BMW iX SUV
BMW iX SUV is the latest fully electric vehicle in the brand’s portfolio. It carries a very radical design with inspiration design cues from earlier BMW models. Despite not having an actual grille, it carries over the kidney grille design, complimented with sleek LED headlights. On the inside, BMW has used high recycled materials and open pour wood to keep the sustainable quotient in check. BMW iX also features BMW’ latest iDrive system with twin connected screens.
Even the base-spec xDrive40 model of the iX offers a range of over 400 km on a single charge. The top-spec xDrive 50 comes with 523Hp and 765 Nm of torque along with a claimed range of over 600 km. BMW iX SUV will take on the likes of the Mercedes-EQ EQC, Audi e-tron and Jaguar I-Pace.
BMW i4
BMW i4 is a 4 door electric sedan that is based on the 4-Series Gran Coupe. It is the first-ever electric sedan from BMW and it is also paving its way to the Indian market. BMW i4 is far more conventional when compared to the iX SUV thanks to its conventional styling. On the front, we get the elongated kidney grille flanked by sleek LED headlights. The side profile gets the tapering roofline that ends with sleek LED taillights at the back. On the inside, while the layout is similar to the 4-Series, the larger and updated iDrive system takes the center stage.
Talking about the drivetrain, the base-spec eDrive40 of the i4 offers a claimed range of up to 590 km on a single charge. BMW also offers the sportier i4 M50 trim with 544Hp and it does 0-100 km/h in 3.9 seconds, all of that with a claimed range of 521 km. BMW i4 sedan would not have rivals around the launch and the only other premium electric sedan in the Indian market is the Audi e-tron GT.
The future is electric and the blue colour in the BMW logo will serve its purpose soon. Both the iX and i4 will take the EV revolution forward in the Indian market and motivate buyers to step ahead and switch to electric. BMW India may also consider local assembly for its EV range if the response turns out good. BMW Electric Cars India launch is slated for 2022 and BMW may announce more BEVs till that timeframe.
If you found this article informative, make sure to check out other interesting stories on the Carorbis Blog and also read 2021 Skoda Kodiaq Production to start from December
