Luxury car makers are gearing up for some high-profile launches in July.
Also on the cards is the world’s first CNG motorcycle from Bajaj.
While Mercedes Benz India will launch the five-seater EQA — an EV SUV — rival BMW Group India are ready with a slew of vehicles including the BMW 5 Long Wheelbase, the Mini Cooper S, an all-electric Mini Countryman and BMW CE04, the electric scooter from BMW Motorrad.
Mercedes-Benz will add an EV to its portfolio on July 8 with the launch of EQA. This will be the fourth EV from Mercedes in India after the seven-seater EQB SUV, EQE SUV and EQS sedan.
The EQA is an entry-level EV and will be priced lower than the EQB which sells at ₹77.75 lakh.
The EQA is expected to compete with the Volvo XC40 Recharge and the C40 Recharge and the BMW iX1.
BMW India has opened bookings for the eighth generation BMW 5 Series which will be available as Long Wheelbase. The car will be produced at BMW Group plant in Chennai.
The vehicle will be launched in India on July 24, 2024.
The long awaited electric scooter from BMW Motorrad is due to be launched the same day.
The company has also recently launched the BMW 1300 GS. This adventure motorcycle will be available as a completely built-up unit (CBU) and deliveries commenced from the end of June.
Vikram Pawah, president, BMW Group India, said: “BMW Motorrad established the new segment of touring enduros more than four decades ago with the R 80 G/S. And the BMW GS with boxer engine has been the undisputed leader of the competitive field ever since. With the all-new BMW R 1300 GS, BMW Motorrad has focused on sharpening the GS even further.”
The introductory ex-showroom price of the BMW R 1300 GS is ₹95 lakh
CNG bike
Bajaj is set to launch India's first mass-produced CNG bike on July 5.
Rajiv Bajaj, CEO of Bajaj Auto, has said the bike is expected to reduce running costs by half compared with a petrol-powered bike. The company is yet to disclose mileage.
It will compete with other fuel-efficient bikes in the 100-110cc category, such as the Hero Splendor Plus, TVS Radeon and Honda Shine 100.