BMW i5 LWB Bookings Open in India: Limited to 99 Units

BMW Group India has officially opened bookings for the long-wheelbase i5 sedan. The launch of this luxury electric vehicle is scheduled for the coming weeks. Local assembly will take place at the company's manufacturing facility in Chennai. The carmaker is introducing a limited-run 'First Edition' variant, which will be restricted to just 99 units. This launch marks BMW's second locally assembled electric vehicle in the country after the iX1 LWB.

Key Performance Details and Features

The i5 LWB eDrive 35L variant features a single motor setup and an 81.6kWh battery pack. It delivers a maximum driving range of 669 km on the MIDC cycle.

The vehicle comes equipped with an adaptive rear-axle air suspension setup. BMW has explicitly increased the ground clearance to navigate Indian road conditions better.

• Battery & Range: 81.6kWh battery capacity delivering up to 669 km MIDC range.
• Performance Output: 268 hp motor accelerating 0–100 km/h in 6.7 seconds.
• Interior Displays: 14.9-inch central touchscreen paired with a 12.3-inch driver display unit.
• Exclusive Equipment: Rear entertainment package with tablet holder, open-pore wood inlays and laser engraving.

Feature / Metric	Specification Details
Model Variant	BMW i5 LWB eDrive 35L (First Edition)
Assembly Type	Local Assembly (CKD in Chennai)
Limited Volume	99 Units (First Edition)
Key Features	Bowers & Wilkins sound, 20-inch alloy wheels, panoramic glass roof

Market Positioning and Strategy

Local assembly allows BMW to benefit from reduced import duties compared to fully built imports. Expectations point to a competitive pricing strategy positioned under the Rs. 1 crore mark.

Selling the i5 LWB alongside the petrol 5 Series LWB addresses the gap left by missing diesel powertrain variants. This move aims to directly compete against rival luxury offerings like the Mercedes-Benz E-Class in the executive sedan segment.