BMW to launch three India-bound SUVs by 2018

BMW held its interim conference recently, announcing important statistics from the previous year and roadmaps of the upcoming year. The Bavarian carmaker confirmed that they have three all-new SUVs lined up before the end of 2018. The plans of the three SUVs are – an all new X3 at the end of this year, a new X7 flagship SUV early next year and a smaller compact SUV, the X2.

With SUVs being the flavour of choice these days, BMW is going model offensive with its X-lineup. Starting from the X1, all the way to the new X7, BMW will have an SUV for each requirement. Kicking off the new SUV line-up will be an all new X3 which is expected to be revealed later this year. The X3 is an important vehicle for BMW since it will also spearhead the electric powertrain for the X-lineup. Under the hood, the new X3 will continue to be powered by existing petrol and diesel engine options followed by a performance oriented M-model and an electric X3 by 2020.

The all-new X2 will be the third addition as a crossover after the X6 and X4. It will be based on the carmaker’s UKL front-wheel-drive platform which also underpins the Mini. The X2 will be offered in two engines – a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine and 1.5-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine which will come mated to either six-speed automatic or eight-speed Steptronic automatic transmissions. An xDrive all-wheel drive system will also be offered.

The big-daddy of the X-lineup, the X7, has been spotted testing a few times already. The full-sized SUV will be revealed in 2018 to take on the likes of Audi Q7, Land Rover Discovery and Mercedes-Benz GLS amongst the seven-seater SUV. It will be based on the CLAR platform which currently underpins the Luxo-barge 7 Series. The three-row SUV will be powered by a range of petrol and diesel engines, with xDrive as standard.

All the three SUV will eventually make their way to Indian shores following their international debut. Considering that its arch-rival Mercedes-Benz has put up its entire SUV range on sale in India, BMW doesn’t want to be left behind.