BMW 5 Series launched in India, prices from ₹49.9 lakh to ₹61.3 lakh

BMW India launched the seventh generation BMW 5 Series luxury sedan in one petrol and three diesel variants, priced between ₹49.9 lakh and ₹61.3 lakh.

Former Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar drove in the business sedan at an event in Mumbai on Thursday. The BMW 5 Series was globally unveiled in October last year.

The BMW 5 Series is offered in three engine configurations - a 520i with a 2.0-litre petrol engine, a 520d with a 2.0-litre diesel engine and a 530d with a 3.0-litre diesel engine, all connected to an eight-speed automatic gearbox. The 530d is available in two variants - Luxuryline and M Sport.

It will compete against the new Mercedes-Benz E Class, the Audi A6, the Jaguar XF, and the new entrants in the league -- the Lexus ES and the Volvo S90, all of which are priced from ₹52 to 75 lakh.

Launching the new business sedan, Sachin Tendulkar said, "I loved driving the new 5 Series in London, especially its muscular looks and the intelligence. Features like gesture control and the touchscreen key are mesmerising and even my kids were amused by the sheer technology this new car offers."

Vikram Pawah, president and CEO of BMW Group India, said the 5 Series contributes almost 30% to BMW's sales in India, having sold more than 19,000 units since the German automaker entered India in 2007. More than 66,000 Bimmers are on the roads of India ever since, Pawah said.

Launch highlights here

BMW started making the new 5 Series at its Chennai plant on June 13. The plant has an annual production capacity of 11,000 units, where the Munich-headquartered automaker produces the BMW 1 Series, the BMW 3 Series, the BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo, the BMW 5 Series, the BMW 7 Series, the BMW X1, the BMW X3 and the BMW X5.

Niche products such as the BMW i8, the M Sports sedans and the M Sport Coupes and Compacts are imported as completely built units.

"We have further raised our commitment to Make in India by increasing the localisation of the BMW cars up to 50%," the BMW India boss said at the launch.

BMW Group India holds three brands in India - the BMW, luxury small-car brand Mini and the BMW Motorrad sports bikes. Besides, BMW Financial Services also operates in the banking, finance and insurance sectors.

Globally, BMW celebrated its 100th year in 2016.