BMW India has launched the i5 Long Wheelbase electric sedan, its first electric vehicle to be made in the country, at an introductory ex-showroom price of ₹79.60 lakh. The new model will be built at the BMW Group Plant in Chennai and comes in the eDrive35L M Sport and limited-run First Edition variants, both priced at the same amount. Deliveries have already begun, marking a significant step in the brand’s efforts to offer locally assembled electric luxury vehicles to Indian customers.
The i5 Long Wheelbase is powered by an 81.6 kWh battery pack and a single rear-mounted electric motor that produces 268 hp and 410 Nm of torque. The rear-wheel drive powertrain allows the i5 LWB to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.7 seconds and reach a top-speed of 195 km/h. BMW claims the range to be up to 669 km on a single charge on the MIDC test cycle, which should satisfy long-distance luxury travel aspirations. The battery supports DC fast charging up to 160 kW, which means a 10 to 80 percent charge in around 33 minutes, while AC charging is rated at 11 kW. Every car comes with a complimentary BMW Wallbox charger that also has the installation service included.
By producing the i5 LWB locally, BMW expects to bolster its electric vehicle footprint in India, as well as react to the local demand more quickly. The twin-variant launch gives buyers an option to choose between the standard M Sport specification and a more exclusive First Edition variant with the same powertrain and price. With its generous claimed range and spacious cabin and the status as the first locally built electric sedan from the brand, the i5 Long Wheelbase is set to appeal to affluent buyers seeking a refined zero-emission option in the luxury segment.
The demand for the exclusive First Edition variant was exceptionally high, with every single one of the 99 units sold out before the official launch event. The special variant comes in a Carbon Black Metallic exterior with Titanium Bronze accents. Its interior features a rear-seat entertainment package that includes a tablet and holder, BMW Individual Silver Bronze accents, Fineline open-pored fine-wood trim, a Silver Bronze inlay and laser-engraved ‘FIRST EDITION’ lettering on the dashboard. All of these premium touches come together to elevate the already luxurious cabin into an even more desirable collector’s piece among the initial production run.
In terms of size, the i5 Long Wheelbase is one of the largest cars in its segment. It measures 5,175 mm from bumper to bumper and stretches to 2,156 mm wide and 1,520 mm tall. Its wheelbase is an expansive 3,105 mm, which has been deliberately extended in order to provide greater comfort for the rear passengers. Adaptive air suspension on the rear axle helps to improve ride comfort, and the car is fitted with 20-inch M alloy wheels.
With its combination of generous dimensions, substantial claimed range, locally built status and the instant sell-out of the First Edition, the i5 Long Wheelbase is set to strengthen BMW’s position in India’s premium electric sedan segment. It offers a refined zero-emission alternative that has the ability to balance the comfort-oriented needs of a chauffeur-driven use with the performance and technology expected from the brand.