New Delhi: BMW Group India has launched the all-new ActiveHybrid 7 priced at Rs 1.35 crore (ex-showroom). The car was first introduced at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show and after five years the luxury saloon will be sold in India.
The ActiveHybrid 7 is visually the same as the regular 7 Series with the ‘Active Hybrid 7' badge setting the two models apart.
Imported as a completely built unit (CBU), the vehicle will be available at dealerships across Delhi-National Capital Region, Mumbai and Chennai.
According to BMW, the all new BMW ActiveHybrid 7 will bring a fundamentally new driving experience in the luxury segment that India has never seen before. The car promises emission-free, pure electric driving and intelligent energy management.
“It is the perfect choice to savour the agility and performance of a BMW 7 Series in a hybrid vehicle, without having to compromise in any way on comfort and spaciousness,” said BMW Group India President Philipp von Sahr.
In terms of styling, the front fascia of the car gets the trademark kidney grille, adaptive LED headlamps with chrome accents and large air vents in the lower bumper. BMW says the model has an aerodynamically designed body to channel the air flow efficiently and reduce drag. Short overhangs and a long bonnet accentuate the car's sporty yet luxurious appeal. The car stands on 19-inch rims and it also gets the ActiveHybrid lettering on the rear, on the C pillars, interiors and on the engine cover.
The ActiveHybrid 7 is a luxury sedan and comes with top of the line luxury features such as keyless entry and ignition, front and rear parking sensors, four-zone automatic climate control and Nappa leather upholstery which is available in black, oyster, ivory, white/black, saddle brown, light/black and veneto beige colour combinations. The trims meanwhile are offered in fine-wood trim, burr walnut with inlays, fine-wood trim ash grain anthracite, fine-wood trim fineline high-gloss and fine-wood trim polar grain light high-gloss. Other features include a rear-view camera, navigation system and 10-speaker sound system with satellite radio and a USB/iPod integration system. Using the Driving Experience Control switch, the driver can choose ECO PRO, Comfort, Sport and Sport+ driving modes.
The car is powered by an electric motor and a petrol engine which work in unison supported by a lithium-ion high-performance battery. The car comes with a 3.0-litre six-cylinder engine, which makes 320bhp and 45.8kgm of torque. The twin-turbocharged unit is mated to an electric motor which is good for 55bhp and 21.4kgm of torque. Power is sent to the rear wheels through the ZF eight-speed automatic gearbox.
Despite its two tonne plus weight, the engine is powerful enough to propel the car from standstill to 100kmph in just 5.7 seconds. The top speed is electronically limited to 250kph.
BMW is offering the model with the latest and most innovative BMW ActiveHybrid technology. Through intelligent energy management it captures surplus energy, stores it and then converts it into motion whenever required. The Driving Experience Switch that it comes with it offers the driver a choice between ECO, PRO, Comfort, Sport and Sport plus modes.
The all-new BMW ActiveHybrid 7 is available in alpine white as non-metallic paintwork and in nine other metallic paint schemes, namely glacier silver, havanna, sapphire black, cashmere silver, milano beige, space grey, imperial blue brilliant effect, sophisto grey II brilliant effect and mineral white.
In 2014, the company plans to launch the M3 sedan, M4 Coupe and the M5 sedan. The company also plans to expand dealer network in the country by 2015 end.
