BMW considering i8 and i3 for Indian market

BMW seems very aggressive with its strategies to regain its lost market share in the Indian car market. The company has recently launched 1 Series premium hatchback, and is all set to launch the facelifted 5 Series tomorrow in India. Moreover, the company will launch the 3 Series GT in the country by the early 2014. Surprisingly, the German luxury carmaker is also considering the all-electric i3 and i8 hybrid for the Indian car market.

Speaking to PTI, Phillip Von Sahr, BMW India's head, said, "We have some exciting plans for the Indian market. Our electric cars are perfectly suitable for mega cities like Delhi and Mumbai that are grappling with problems of of pollution and congestion. We are closely scrutinizing the possibility of introducing these environment friendly i3 and i8 models to the Indian customers".

BMW that unveiled the i8 hybrid car at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show, gets a turbocharged 1.5-litre BMW twin-power turbo petrol engine with intelligent energy management. The petrol engine develops 231bhp and 320Nm of torque, and it is combined to an electric motor that contributes 131bhp and 250Nm of torque. When BMW i8 runs on both power sources, it can sprints to 100kmph from stand still in mere 4.5 second and returns a fuel efficiency of 40kmpl.

The other model, BMW i3 hatchback is an all-electric car, which is powered by a rear-mounted electric motor that produces 170bhp and 244Nm of top torque. On a full single battery charge, it can run between 128km and 160km. Moreover, it also has an optional range extending twin-cylinder gasoline motor, which will increase its runs up to 140km, making a total run of around 300km.  

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