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BMW Set to Launch the MINI in India by 2009

By raj on December 7th, 2009

LEADING LUXURY car makers, BMW, plans to roll out their premium classic small car Mini Cooper in India. The much-awaited BMW MINI will hit the Indian roads in 2009, the Senior Vice- President (Importer Market) of BMW Group, Dr Kay Segler, has said. Talking about the MINI, the company says that it is not just a car, but also a brand altogether, and therefore a feasibility study is a must.

The car will not be assembled locally, but will be imported completely and will carry the price tag between Rs 20-25 lakhs.

German luxury car maker BMW AG said it is likely to introduce its Mini, the iconic premium small car, only in two cities if it brings the brand to India.
“If we would launch the Mini in India, (it) would be only in two markets—specifically Delhi and Mumbai,” said Peter Kronschnabl, president of BMW’s local unit. “These are, by potential, the biggest markets for this brand,” which is “a small car in terms of size but a luxury car in terms of price.”

The company has completed a feasibility study on the potential of the premium car in the Indian market, in which small cars have been synonymous with inexpensive cars. BMW, however, hopes the car could be a third car for high net worth Indians with a love of the high life.

So if you would like to own one of these prestigious cars be prepared to shell out anywhere between Rs.20-25 lakhs.

The Mini comes in three models—the standard Mini One with a 1.6-litre and 90 bhp engine, the Cooper powered by a 115-bhp version of the same engine and the Cooper S with a supercharger.

Here’s a Complete Review of the Mini One according to BBC’s Top Gear. Which Models/ Versions will be released in India is yet to be decided by the company.

Four engines here for the Mini – a 1.4-litre petrol with 95bhp, a 110bhp 1.6-litre diesel, a 120bhp 1.6 and the 175bhp turbocharged 1.6 for the Cooper S. The 1.4 petrol is achingly slow. Press the throttle pedal and there’s none of that whoosh of acceleration the old 1.6 One used to give. Plus there’s little torque so you’re forced to hunt around the six-speed ‘box looking for some power. The 1.6 is much, much better. There’s an urgency to its responses and an eagerness to rev while a tall sixth gear brings calmer motorway cruising. The diesel is punchy, efficient, light and clean but for a flat-out thrash on a twisty road, the two petrol Coopers are king. However the diesel bestows its torque very generously, making it handy for frugal overtaking.

The new Mini rides and handles superbly, soaking up small and long amplitude bumps and lumps like a car with twice the wheelbase. Mid-corner bumps don’t faze it, and you can squeal around a hairpin with the same confidence as a long 80mph sweeper. The old generation’s handling balance was maybe a little cheekier, but there’s no doubt that this new version is the more accomplished performer.

The new car is only 60mm longer than the old one and barely any wider so space is still tight. Those sitting in the back need to be small because legroom is limited and access can be awkward. The boot is a little bigger than that of the car it replaces, but at 160 litres it’s still small, just enough for just a pair of squishy bags.

The new Mini has an interior that clunks and thunks more convincingly than before. Where the old Mini’s silver-finished plastic stalks felt brittle, the new car’s ones are soft-touch with a BMW’s damped tactility. The dinner-plate centre speedo and heater controls in the shape of the Mini emblem are a bit Liberace, but the car now feels better assembled.

It may not look it, but the new Cooper S has grown up. It rides, turns in and holds a line better than the old car and mid-corner bumps don’t faze it. You can squeal around a hairpin with the same confidence as a long 80mph sweeper. The new 1.6 turbo is also sweeter to rev.

MINI One Dashboard

MINI Cooper S

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