BMW opens bookings for i5 Long Wheelbase in India, promises 669 km range

BMW India has opened bookings for the first-ever i5 Long Wheelbase, marking another step in the German luxury carmaker’s localisation of electric vehicles in the country. The electric executive sedan will be manufactured at BMW Group Plant Chennai, making it the company’s first locally produced electric sedan and its second locally manufactured electric vehicle in India. Bookings opened on August 21 through authorised BMW dealerships, while customers can also register their interest through the company’s India website.

The i5 Long Wheelbase enters the market with a strong focus on rear-seat space and comfort, an important consideration in India’s luxury-car segment. BMW says it is the only long-wheelbase all-electric sedan in its segment and the largest car in the category, while an 81.6 kWh battery gives it a claimed range of up to 669 km on the MIDC cycle. The company is also introducing a special i5 LWB First Edition at launch, restricted to 99 customers.

Longer wheelbase, bigger cabin

At 5,175 mm in length, 2,156 mm in width and 1,520 mm in height, the i5 Long Wheelbase has substantial dimensions for an executive sedan. Its 3,105 mm wheelbase has been designed to create additional space for rear-seat occupants, positioning the model as a chauffeur-friendly electric alternative in the luxury segment. BMW says the car combines the traditional attributes of the 5 Series — including comfort and driving dynamics — with an electric powertrain and a greater emphasis on rear-seat accommodation.

Power comes from an electric motor producing 268 hp, with BMW claiming a 0-100 kmph acceleration time of 6.7 seconds. The 81.6 kWh high-voltage battery offers a claimed maximum range of 669 km on a single charge under the MIDC testing cycle. The India-specification model also gets adaptive rear-axle air suspension and increased ground clearance, features aimed at improving comfort and usability on Indian roads.

The combination of a long wheelbase and locally assembled electric powertrain also gives BMW a distinctive proposition as luxury manufacturers expand their EV portfolios in India. Rather than relying solely on performance as the principal selling point, the i5 LWB has been configured to appeal to buyers who place a premium on rear-seat comfort while still wanting to move to an electric vehicle.

First Edition limited to 99 cars

To mark the model’s introduction, BMW India will offer an i5 LWB First Edition limited to 99 customers. The special version adds a dedicated rear-seat entertainment package comprising a tablet and tablet holder, reinforcing the model’s emphasis on passengers travelling in the back. The cabin also receives BMW Individual Silver Bronze accents, Fineline open-pored fine-wood trim with Silver Bronze inlay and ‘FIRST EDITION’ laser engraving on the dashboard trim.

The limited-run model will be offered in a specific exterior configuration, pairing Carbon Black Metallic paint with Titanium Bronze exterior accents. BMW has not disclosed pricing in its August 21 announcement, with further details expected around the model’s formal market launch.

Local production gathers pace

The decision to manufacture the i5 Long Wheelbase in Chennai is significant for BMW’s electric-car strategy in India. The model becomes the second electric BMW to be produced at the Chennai facility and the first electric sedan from the company to be locally manufactured. Local production could give BMW greater flexibility in positioning the model while broadening its locally assembled luxury-EV portfolio.

For BMW, the i5 LWB also extends a formula it has increasingly adopted for the Indian luxury market: combining globally recognised models with long-wheelbase configurations that cater specifically to demand for additional rear-seat space. With bookings now open, the i5 Long Wheelbase will seek to translate that strategy to the electric executive-sedan segment, combining a claimed 669-km range with the space and comfort traditionally associated with the 5 Series.