Reference Auto

German luxury car maker BMW, which wants to stay in the number one slot in the country’s premium car segment, has given India’s super rich another option during the booming festive season by rolling out its crossover model the X6, which carries a price tag of between Rs 78.9 lakh and Rs 93.4 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi).

The car maker, buoyed by the recent boost in festival sales, is planning to rev up dealer network amid stiff competition from Mercedes Benz and Audi, among other luxury car companies.

While the eight-cylinder petrol X6 will be priced at Rs 93.4 lakh, the six-cylinder diesel variant comes cheaper at Rs 78.9 lakh.

The petrol X6 is propelled by a 4,395 cc engine (which is simply mind blowing), while the diesel option is powered by a 2,993 cc one.

The diesel xDrive40d is powered by an inline six engine, which can produce a maximum of 310 PS power. On the other hand, the petrol X6 xDrive50i is propelled by a 412 PS, producing 4.4 litre V8.

The group’s economy model, the Mini, had so far logged sales of 241 cars, said BMW India Group president Philipp von Sahr, while revealing that the company plans to further develop the BMW brand in India.

“In 2013, we are bullish on some growth in the backdrop of our new dealerships and new model range. We will launch the new X1, 7 Series and the 1 Series in the coming year,” von Sahr said.

Speaking on the new X6 models, he added, “This new car is unlike any other model. It has created a niche segment for itself. We are confident that the new X6 will soon become the cynosure of our customers.”

The BMW X6 will come in via the completely built unit or CBU route for the xDrive50i trims. The upgraded X6 comes with cosmetic changes like the BMW kidney-grille with three-dimensional chrome frames, fresh fog lamps and LED tail lamps. Customers have the option to deck their X6 with a powerdome bonnet.

Moreover, there are also the innovation or luxury packages that come with the X6. The former brings in head-up display, BMW apps and full LED lights while the other paves way for seats with lumbar support along with heating and ventilation capabilities.

The leather upholstery comes in numerous options in the new BMW X6 such as Beige, Black, Saddle Brown/Black and Vermillion Red/Black Finewood Ash Grain, Finewood Bamboo Grain Dark, Aluminium Flywheel Black or Aluminium.

Despite a slowdown in the market, BMW has managed to see similar sales as last year while Audi’s grew 40 per cent. By ramping up dealerships network, BMW will not only spur sales of the new X6 but all other models as well.

BMW has been one of the first luxury car makers to roll out a high-end luxury crossover (which is somewhere between a sedan and an SUV) during the festival season.

So, BMW, with its new X6, does have a first-mover advantage to tap the super rich (that too with a niche product) by cashing in on the festive season and its strong brand name in India.