BMW launches 7 Series ActiveHybrid sedan at Rs 1.35 crore

German luxury car maker BMW launched all new BMW ActiveHybrid 7 sedan in India priced at Rs 1.35 crore (ex-showroom Delhi).

The long limousine-type car is the first hybrid offering in India by any in the German trio.

The vehicle, which comes as a completely built unit, would be available for sale across the country from July 23 onwards.

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(With inputs from PTI and Indian Autos Blog)

The 7 Series ActiveHybrid is claimed to accelerate from 0-100 kmph in 6.2 seconds before hitting the electronic speed limiter at 250 kmph.

Under the European driving conditions, the luxury limousine returns a commendable fuel economy of 13.85 kmpl and CO2 emission of 171.69 g/km.

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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.

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In addition to the hybrid drivetrain, the 7 Series ActiveHybrid comes with auxiliary fuel saving measures like auto start-stop, brake energy recuperation system and ECO PRO driving mode with coasting function.

The electric motor and petrol engine of the vehicle work in unison supported by a lithium-ion battery and coordinated hybrid system, the company said.

The car comes with various luxury features, including folding tables integrated in the back rest of the front seats and massage function in rear seat.

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"The all new BMW ActiveHybrid 7 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.

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, he added.

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Commenting on the future launches, Sahr said the company would launch the M3 sedan, M4 Coupe and the M5 sedan in 2014.

"Taking a further step in sustainable mobility, BMW India will also introduce i8 in 2014," he added.

The company also plans to expand dealer network in the country by 2015 end.

"BMW India will aggressively expand it'd dealer network by increasing the number of outlets to 50 across major metros and emerging markets," Sahr said.