Philipp Ackermann, the German Ambassador to India's new official ride, is a brand-new BMW i7. The diplomat recently welcomed the electric vehicle into its fleet, but he chose to do so through traditional Indian rituals. After unveiling the vehicle to the media at his residence, the Ambassador tied 'nimbu-mirch' on it and smashed a coconut to mark the occasion. In Indian culture, this gesture is believed to ward off evil and invite good luck.
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Speaking to ANI, Philipp Ackermann stated, "In winter time, pollution gets really bad and I felt that we should do contribution to reduce pollution. I wanted to have an EV and that is why my HQ accepted after a while that we get a new car which is an e-Car and therefore reduces pollution."
#WATCH | Delhi: German Ambassador to India, Philipp Ackermann switches to EV (electric vehicle); ties ‘nimbu-mirchi’ to his car and smashes a coconut on the occasion. pic.twitter.com/OojZh4Nvx3
— ANI (@ANI) October 15, 2024
The BMW i7 was launched in India last year for Rs 1.3 crore. It is the electric version of the 7-series luxury sedan that BMW also sells in India. The i7 is available in India only in the xDrive60 guise. It packs two electric motors, one on each axle, which produce a combined 544 hp and 745 Nm of peak torque. This electric limousine can sprint from 0 to 100 km in a brisk 4.7 seconds and clock a maximum speed of 239 km/h.
The i7 has a 101.7 kWh battery pack that promises a maximum range of 625 km, according to the WLTP cycle. It can be charged at a maximum rate of 195 kW through a DC fast charger. BMW claims a charging time of 34 minutes when juicing up from 10 to 80 per cent.
(Source: ANI)