Nimbu, Mirchi, and a BMW i7: German Envoy Embraces Indian Traditions | Auto News

In an exciting merger of cultural diversity, the ambassador of Germany to India, Philipp Ackermann, has changed to electric cars by selecting the new BMW i7. The ambassador rode a bicycle to the venue where he participated in Indian rituals, tied a ‘nimbu-mirchi’ (lemon and chilli) to his car and smashed a coconut, which according to Indian beliefs, can ward off evil and bring good luck. This act narrates a dual message of his respect and gratitude for Indian customs and his commitment to eco-friendly transportation.

#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

Ambassador Ackermann’s involvement in these ceremonies stirred the interest of many people, reflecting a gentle nod towards the local traditions. A lemon and a green chili tied together (also called a nimbu-mirchi) and a coconut break are typically associated with auspiciousness and warding off malefic effects for a recently purchased vehicle, even though it is a tradition of Indians. The ruler has established common ground with the participants sufficiently that they have begun to see him as an equal. Cultural exchanges are a primary way that goodwill exists between India and Germany.

The BMW i7:

The i7 is a fully electric luxury sedan priced at Rs 1.95 crore (ex-showroom, India). It is the all-electric version of the luxurious 7 Series sedan. It is fully manufactured abroad and is shipped to India as a completely built unit. The first and only variant is xDrive 60. While it is built on the same platform as the petrol version 7 Series, the i7 stands out with some details like blue accents, special alloy wheels, and ‘i’ badges on the prominent front grille and. The car still has the refined split headlamp design and door handles viewed on the BMW iX and 7 Series.

Inside the i7:

The inside of the i7 matches the extravagance of the 7 Series, but it has high-tech features that make it even better. It has a screen that curves and brings together a 14.9-inch infotainment screen with a 12.3-inch instrument cluster. It operates BMW’s latest iDrive 8 system and is positioned on a light band that runs the entire width of the display to create a slick look.

One of the best things about it is the 31.3-inch, 8K ‘theatre’ screen attached to the roof that comes down and plays movies through Amazon Fire TV for the rear passengers. The rear doors come with touchscreens that are 5.5 inches in size. This allows the passengers to manage the infotainment system, climate controls, and seat adjustments, thus improving the luxury experience.

Performance and Charging Capabilities

The BMW i7 xDrive 60 uses two electric motors, one on each axle, to produce a total power of 544 horsepower and a torque of 745 Nm. The car is propelled by this system from 0 to 100 kmph in 4.7 seconds with a maximum speed of 239 kmph which is limited by the electronic equipment.

The i7 is fitted with a 101.7 kWh lithium-ion battery that enables it to cover a distance of 591 km to 625 km on the WLTP cycle. The power supply options include charging at up to 11 kW on an AC system and at up to 195 kW on a DC system. The latter charge method is the fastest and can discharge the battery from 10% to 80% in less than 34 minutes on a fast charger.