Indian Autos blog

News of BMW developing a successor for the X5 SUV (code – F15) is not news to IAB readers as we’ve already presented a spyshot of a mule testing this month. Today we have a video showing the prototype testing in snow. The X5 is sold in many parts of the world which see a heavy amount of snowfall. The engineers must be testing the limits of the xDrive as it ploughs through feet of snow.

The new X5 according to our friends at BMWBlog will carry plenty of design changes, the surfacing will lend it the X3′s look while the widened grille and smaller tail lamps will have a 3D effect in them. The designers are reportedly aiming for a more masculine stance.

It was Dr Andreas Schaff’s first product launch in India since the time he took over as the BMW India’s President from Mr Peter Kronschnabl. Addressing the media on two-in-one occassion of new X5 launch and dealership innauguration here in Gurgaon, Schaff , who was heading BMW’s South Korean wing before this assigment, was clearly excited to be part of the operations here in India.

Here are some of the details he discussed during the course of his chat with the media.

BMW Motorrad -

Motorrad is BMW’s motorcycle division and Schaff said investigations are going on in India to gauge the market potential for these motorcycles. An announcement on the findings and BMW’s way forward with respect to its two-wheelers will be made public in the coming months.

On the BMW X1 -

The BMW X1 is expected to reach showrooms in the first few months of 2011 and Schaff said the SUV segment is an attractive one for India with a high growth potential. It fits the Indian lifestyle, he says. He adds it’s a new entry price level for BMW in India and it’s expected to be the more affordable vehicle in the BMW range. Eighty percent of the X1 buyers are expected to be new to the BMW brand.

On the BMW 7 Series as CKD -

Schaff says the CKDing of the BMW 7 Series is an aspect the company is looking into, but no decision has been made yet.

On the X3 made into a CKD -

Schaff gave us a similar answer, he did not reveal much on this. He however did hint the X3 could come to India in 2011.

On the localization levels of the X1 -

The X1 will have about 10% localization. Items such as seats will be made here in India but there’s nothing major that’ll come from local suppliers.

On the chief markets of BMW in India -

Delhi and Mumbai continue to be the most happening markets as far as BMW is concerned. About 70% of the vehicles sold are in the Delhi and Mumbai regions.

On the 1 Series’ Indian prospects -

Schaff is quick to point out the X1 will be their entry-level model and they have no plans to bring the 1 Series hatch or sedan to India.

On the new dealerships -

Indore, Surat, Bhubaneshwar and Ludhiana are four locations where new dealerships are coming up.

Images and video along with the press release will be posted shortly

BMW has hit the record figure of one million units produced with its X5 SUV. This landmark was achieved when the BMW manufacturing facility in Spartanburg, South Carolina rolled out the one millionth car. The one millionth X5 built by BMW, is a 2011 model year xDrive 35i with a Sapphire Black paint job and a cabin upholstered with Cinnamon Brown Nevada leather.

The one millionth BMW X5 is going to be delivered to a person in China, which could in a few years time have a large number of collectors chasing after it just for the sake of the one millionth X5 tag attached to it.

The BMW X5 can be bought for a price of about 60 lakh rupees in India.

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BMW’s most powerful SUV yet – The G-POWER TYPHOON has just arrived. With its wider stance and greater umph, it is the most potent contender to the Porsche Cayenne Mansory 955 that we saw earlier.

The BMW X5, introduced in 1999 has been a success story for BMW. Available in a choice of inline six and V8 engines, this Sports Activity model (SAV) emphasizes its on-road dynamics rather than a Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV). This astonishing model has completed 1 decade on sale.