New 7-series from BMW

BMW is set to launch its new 7 Series by the end of this year.


For this time BMW has developed a host of gadgets in-house. These include lane change and lane departure warnings, infra-red night-vision camera, park assist cameras on the side, radar, and a head-up display, which tells the driver everything he needs to know.

The BMW engineers have spared no imagination in loading the latest 7 with everything your heart desires. The rear seats are ventilated and have 12 massaging bubbles, there’s an in-built 8 GB hard drive for your music, four-zone climate control, concierge service, and an automatic emergency dialling system in case of an accident.

The company is clear it does not want to lose the essence of the ultimate driving machine. Variable damping and modes for the engine and suspension, which include comfort, normal, sport and sport+.

Three engine options – a 3-litre straight-six diesel, a 3-litre straight-six petrol, and a 4.3-litre V8 petrol – power this car. While the big petrol gets the 7 to 100kph in 5.2 seconds, the diesel is pretty quick too, managing the 100kph sprint in just 7.2 seconds. And it’s environmentally friendly too; the diesel engine is claimed to produce just 192 grammes of CO2 per kilometre. BMW has pioneered what it likes to call Efficient Dynamics; the battery is charged under braking, and the alternator disconnects during acceleration, thus providing better performance, fuel economy and lower emissions.




Prices will start north of Rs 60 lakh, and the car will be in showrooms before the year is out.

Force India joins hands with McLaren Mercedes.

Force India signed a five year deal to form a technical partnership with McLaren-Mercedes .

McLaren test driver Pedro de la Rosa tests for a Force India.

"We are absolutely delighted to be able to announce a technical partnership with McLaren Applied Technologies and Mercedes-Benz HighPerformanceEngines, ,"
said chairman and managing director of Force India Vijay Mallya.

The multi-year deal will see the team's 2009 car - the VJMO2 - powered by Mercedes engines, in an agreement which includes the marque's Kinetic Energy Recovery Systems (KERS) and will give Force India access to McLaren's network of parts suppliers. The car will also be fitted with a McLaren gearbox and hydraulic systems.

McLaren and Mercedes-Benz are two of the most famous names in motorsport history having achieved superb success in Grand Prix racing over many years, and most recently, a superb victory in probably the most dramatic world championship Formula One has seen.

"Force India Formula One team has been in existence for only one year, and certainly our first season has constituted a learning period," said Mallya.