Petrol-powered 740Li to come as a fully built-up import before locally assembled models follow next year in diesel and possibly hybrid forms.
BMW Thailand will be using next month’s Motor Expo to launch the all-new 7-series.
The flagship saloon will be available initially as a fully built-up import in 740Li form which is powered by 326hp 3.0-litre petrol-turbo engine.
Speaking at a preview event this week, BMW executives hope to price the 740Li at around 7-7.5 million baht.
Rivals like the Lexus LS and Mercedes-Benz S-class are currently available with petrol engines albeit with bigger performance and more sophistication.
The LS460L comes with 380hp 4.6-litre V8 and is priced at 11.79 million baht, while the S400 Hybrid has 306hp 3.5-litre V6 costing 11.4 million baht.
Next year, BMW plans to offer locally assembled versions of the 7-series. The first variant expected to come out from the Rayong facility is the 730Ld powered by 265hp 3.0-litre diesel-turbo.
Sources say a hybrid alternative is also under study due to favourable taxes in Thailand. There’s the 740e which is armed with 240hp 2.0-litre petrol-turbo-electric drivetrain with plug-in facility.
The S400 Hybrid can’t attract the hybrid tax in Thailand due to a combustion engine exceeding 3,000cc.