BMW unveils concept cars at 11th Auto Expo

German car-maker BMW  **  is in news as on 5^th Jan 2012,  for its launch of  M5 luxury sedan in the Indian market at an ex-showroom price of Rs 95.9 lakh. The new model can be now ordered as a completely built-up unit (CBU) across more than 20 dealerships in the country.  The BMW M5 comes with a 4.4-litre V8 engine with M Twin Power Turbo technology, producing a maximum output of 560 HP.

 M5 looks and its interior

The company also unveiled its concept car -- the BMW Vision ConnectedDrive -- at the 11th Auto Expo at New Delhi.

In a country where ‘mileage’ – kilometers run per litre of petrol dominates, they are also introducing the most expensive small car.  Iconic premium small car brand Mini,  entered the Indian market, one of the largest small car markets in the world, with four models priced at a jaw dropping Rs 25-32 lakh.  The cars would be completely imported into India, as the iconic cars are not manufactured outside.  This car would easily be the most expensive small cars available in the country.  Earlier they had introduced the iconic VW Beetle and Fiat 500, but  have not found many takers in the country.   To add some flavour, the Manufacturers claim that  "A Beetle is not sold in a Beetle dealership nor is a Fiat 500 sold in a 500 dealership. But a Mini is only available with a Mini dealer as we are a brand and not merely a car," The company has introduced four variants of the Mini. While the Mini Cooper will be priced Rs 24.9 lakh, the Mini Cooper S comes with a price tag of Rs 27.9 lakh. The Mini Convertible is priced at Rs 29.9 lakh, while the Mini Cooper S Countryman has a price tag of Rs 31.9 lakh.  Worldover, the Mini Cooper hatch is the firm's bestselling model accounting for nearly a third of all sales.

Mini is a British automotive marque owned by BMW which specialises in small cars. Mini originated as a specific vehicle, a small car originally known as the Morris Mini-Minor and the Austin Seven, launched by the British Motor Corporation in 1959, and developed into a brand encompassing a range of small cars.

Bayerische Motoren Werke AG  **  (BMW) is a German automobile, motorcycle and engine manufacturing company founded in 1917. It also owns and produces the Mini marque, and is the parent company of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars.

Elsewhere in Lancashire, UK, BMW was in news for different reasons.  Interestingly, a BMW driver is threatening to sue her local council claiming plans for a blanket 20mph speed limit will damage its powerful engine.  It is reported that the woman says that her £25,000 car struggles to cope in fourth gear at such low speeds and she will be forced to drive around in third, putting extra strain on the engine and creating more pollution.  She is not alone and reportedly is part of a growing campaign of motorists opposed to plans  for restriction of speed @ 20mph on all residential streets.  She contended that speed limit outside school is agreeable but not on nice roads and such limits would force people to move away from proud possessions and settle for small cars alone. 

The protagonists  angrily dismiss her claims as selfish and ill-informed – and point out that they are already widespread in Germany, where BMWs are built.  They say that status symbols should not be allowed to tout or mend laws.    Lancashire County Council’s road and transport safety manager was quoted as saying  'People are much more likely to survive and have fewer injuries if involved in an accident at 20mph than 30mph.

With regards – S. Sampathkumar.