BMW is keen on bring in most of the variants of 7-Series to India. And it should be, because 7-Series is the flagship model of BMW, and it will assist German automaker to picture itself as a globally acclaimed brand in the country.
The launch of ActiveHybrid 7 today is one such example. The key features like keyless entry and ignition, front and rear parking sensors, four-zone automatic climate control, leather upholstery, a rear-view camera, navigation system and 10-speaker sound system with satellite radio and a USB/iPod integration system are there to compensate for the price of Rs 1,35,00,000. Further, with the Driving Experience Control switch driver can choose ECO PRO, Comfort, Sport and Sport+ driving modes.
The 7-series ActiveHybrid hybrid powertrain is compiled with in-line 6-cylinder petrol engine with two turbochargers that produces 324PS of power alone from petrol engine, and 40KW from electric power derived from that of the Lithium ion battery. In total, power output is registered at 359PS and 500Nm of torque, with traction sent to the rear wheels via a ZF eight-speed Steptronic gearbox.
Tipped scale for more than two tonne of weight, this car can do 0-100km/h in 5.7 seconds and can reach electronically restricted top speed of 250kmph.
The ActiveHybrid is more fuel efficient by 14 per cent than the 740Li. The electric motor alone is ambled to give an extra torque of 210Nm which helps it to reach an electric-only top speed of 60kmph. On the pure battery run, the flagship saloon of BMW clocks a range of 4km. In the European context it was reported, fuel-efficiency of 14.7kmpl which is just 2kmpl over the regular 7 Series. This 7-Series ActiveHybrid is deemed to have brought here for the environment-conscious audience who thinks about sustaining the eco-system at least when they drive.
The120 volt lithium-ion battery pack powers the air condition to save the burning grace of fuel. In this car, the air-con will be working even when the engine is switched off. Energy regeneration and a hybrid start stop system also planted to save fuel.
BMW says, this hybrid luxury sedan is the first in its segment, and will pave way for the I8 hybrid supercar in the near future.
The 7-Series ActiveHybrid is available at all the showrooms of Delhi NCR, Mumbai and Chennai as a CBU.
