BMW Launches ActiveHybrid 7 Sedan in India

Luxury carmaker BMW on Wednesday introduced the ActiveHybrid 7 sedan in India. The car seamlessly integrates the highly efficient combustion engine and energy-saving electric motor to increase the efficiency.

Currently imported as a completely built-up (CBU) car, the 7 series ActiveHybrid is priced Rs 1.35 crore (ex-showroom) and will initially be sold in only three cities – Delhi, Mumbai and Chennai. The 7 Series ActiveHybrid is powered by a 3.0-litre in-line six-cylinder Twin Power turbocharged petrol engine that generates 320 bhp and 450 Nm of torque.

The petrol engine is combined with an electric motor which provides an additional 55 bhp. However, the overall system output is not the summation of the two outputs. In hybrid mode, the car delivers 354 bhp. An 8-speed automatic transmission sends the drive to the rear wheels.

The 7 Series ActiveHybrid accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 6.2 seconds before hitting the electronic speed limiter at 250 km/h. Under the European driving conditions, the luxury limousine returns a commendable fuel economy of 13.85 km/l and CO2 emission of 171.69 g/km.

In addition to the hybrid drivetrain, it comes with auxiliary fuel saving measures like auto start-stop, brake energy recuperation system and ECO PRO driving mode with coasting function.

“The all new BMW 7 series ActiveHybrid introduces a fundamentally new driving experience in the luxury segment that India has never seen before,” BMW Group India President Philipp von Sahr told reporters in Gurgaon.

He also said that “BMW plans to introduce the M3 sedan, M4 coupe, the M5 sedan and most importantly the i8 in the coming months as well.”

Considering the limousine is the first hybrid offering in India by any in the German trio, we’ll have to wait and see what kind of a response it gets. The BMW 7 series Activehybrid will pave way for the future hybrid and electric vehicle that the German automaker plans to offer.

By Varun Mohan