BMW i5 Long Wheelbase launched in India: First locally made electric sedan
Synopsis
BMW India has crossed a milestone — the i5 Long Wheelbase, rolling off the Chennai plant, is the brand's first locally manufactured electric sedan in India. With a 669 km claimed range, 268 hp motor, and a 3,105 mm wheelbase built for rear-seat luxury, it is BMW's clearest signal yet that India is no longer just a market — it is a manufacturing base for premium EVs.
Key Takeaways
BMW India unveiled the BMW i5 Long Wheelbase on 21 August , opening bookings nationwide.
It is produced at BMW Group Plant Chennai — the brand's second electric model and first electric sedan made in India.
The sedan measures 5,175 mm in length with a 3,105 mm wheelbase, making it the largest in its segment.
Powered by a 268 hp electric motor with an 81.6 kWh battery, it claims a range of up to 669 km (MIDC).
Standard warranty is two years with unlimited km, extendable to 10 years ; service packs run up to 10 years or 1,00,000 km .
Financing available via the BMW Smart Finance programme with flexible EMI and assured buy-back options.
BMW India on Friday, 21 August unveiled the BMW i5 Long Wheelbase, its first locally manufactured electric sedan, and simultaneously opened bookings across its pan-India dealer network. Produced at BMW Group Plant Chennai, the i5 LWB becomes the second electric BMW model to be built in India and the brand's first homegrown electric sedan in the country.
Key Specifications and Dimensions
The BMW i5 Long Wheelbase is positioned as the largest sedan in its segment, measuring 5,175 mm in length, 2,156 mm in width, and 1,520 mm in height. Its 3,105 mm wheelbase is engineered to prioritise rear-passenger comfort, delivering what the company describes as 'utmost luxurious comfort' for occupants in the back.
Under the hood, the sedan is powered by an electric motor producing 268 hp of instantaneous power, enabling a 0–100 km/h sprint in just 6.7 seconds. An 81.6 kWh high-voltage battery pack provides a claimed driving range of up to 669 km on a single charge, as per the MIDC cycle — a figure BMW says eliminates range anxiety for most long-distance use cases.
Pricing and Booking Details
Notably, the source references the BMW X1 Long Wheelbase (LWB) as having been launched at an introductory price of ₹49.90 lakh (ex-showroom). Bookings for the BMW i5 Long Wheelbase are now open across authorised BMW dealerships nationwide.
Warranty, Service, and Financing
The i5 LWB comes with a standard two-year warranty with unlimited kilometres and two years of roadside assistance. Service packages begin at three years or 40,000 km and can be extended to as long as 10 years or 1,00,000 km. The warranty itself is extendable for up to 10 years.
BMW Group India's financial services arm supports the purchase with the BMW Smart Finance programme, which offers flexible EMIs, reduced interest rates on select models, assured buy-back options, and end-of-term flexibility.
Strategic Context: India's Luxury EV Push
The launch comes amid accelerating demand for premium electric vehicles in India, with several global luxury marques ramping up local production to sidestep import duties and offer more competitive pricing. Local manufacturing at the Chennai plant signals BMW's commitment to deepening its India footprint beyond assembly of combustion-engine vehicles. This is the second electric model to roll off the Chennai line, reinforcing the plant's pivot toward electrification. The move also aligns with the Indian government's broader push to attract EV manufacturing investment and build domestic supply chains for clean mobility.
Point of View
Which makes fully imported luxury EVs prohibitively expensive for even affluent buyers. Local production lets BMW price more aggressively and scale faster. The real question is whether the 669 km MIDC range translates to real-world confidence, and whether the charging infrastructure in India's Tier-2 cities can keep pace with the ambition. Luxury EV adoption in India remains a thin-market story for now, but BMW is clearly betting it won't stay that way.
NationPress
21 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the BMW i5 Long Wheelbase and why is it significant for India?
The BMW i5 Long Wheelbase is BMW India's first locally manufactured electric sedan, produced at the BMW Group Plant in Chennai. It is significant because it marks the second electric BMW model built in India and signals a deeper manufacturing commitment to the Indian EV market.
What is the driving range and performance of the BMW i5 Long Wheelbase?
The BMW i5 Long Wheelbase offers a claimed range of up to 669 km on a single charge as per the MIDC cycle, powered by an 81.6 kWh battery. Its electric motor delivers 268 hp and accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.7 seconds.
How big is the BMW i5 Long Wheelbase compared to other sedans?
The BMW i5 Long Wheelbase measures 5,175 mm in length, 2,156 mm in width, and 1,520 mm in height, making it the largest sedan in its segment. Its 3,105 mm wheelbase is designed to maximise rear-passenger legroom and comfort.
What warranty and service packages does the BMW i5 LWB come with?
The BMW i5 Long Wheelbase comes with a standard two-year warranty with unlimited kilometres and two years of roadside assistance. Service packages start from three years or 40,000 km and can be extended to 10 years or 1,00,000 km, with the warranty also extendable up to 10 years.
Where is the BMW i5 Long Wheelbase manufactured in India?
The BMW i5 Long Wheelbase is manufactured at the BMW Group Plant in Chennai, making it the second electric BMW model and the first electric sedan to be locally produced in India.
