BMW has started accepting bookings for the i5 LWB First Edition in India, set for launch in a few weeks. Just 99 units of the long wheelbase electric sedan will be sold here initially, and they will be locally manufactured at BMW's Chennai facility. This also confirms our November 2025 exclusive that BMW will launch the i5 LWB in India this year.
BMW i5 LWB details so far
The carmaker has confirmed that the i5 LWB will come with an 81.6kWh battery pack, offering a maximum range of 669km (on the modified Indian driving cycle or MIDC). The eDrive 35L trim of the i5 LWB sold in China also gets an 81.6kWh battery, and the same could be headed here. Power output stands at 268hp (likely from a rear electric motor), and the sedan sprints from 0-100kph in 6.7 seconds. Meanwhile, the standard i5 is sold here in M60 AWD guise with an 81.2kWh battery pack.
Rear-axle air suspension will be on offer as well. Early testing, including our standard i5 review, found that the soft suspension and low ride height made it prone to scraping on speed breakers, but BMW claims that the LWB sedan's ground clearance has been enhanced. It remains to be seen how well it performs on Indian roads.
| i5 | i5 LWB | Difference | |
| Length (mm) | 5,060 | 5,175 | 115 |
| Width (mm)* | 2,156 | 2,156 | - |
| Height (mm) | 1,505 | 1,520 | 15 |
| Wheelbase (mm) | 2,995 | 3,105 | 110 |
*Including outsider rear-view mirrors.
While the width of the two models is identical, the i5 LWB is larger overall in other dimensions. Among confirmed features include a rear seat entertainment package with a tablet and tablet holder, silver-bronze accents along with open pored wood inlay on interior trims and 'FIRST EDITION' laser engraving on the dashboard. A Carbon Black metallic exterior shade with bronze accents will be offered here.
The China-spec BMW i5 LWB, specifically the eDrive 35L trim, offers features such as powered adjustment for the front seats with ventilation function, Bowers & Wilkins surround sound system, wireless charging for smartphones and veganza leather upholstery, and these could make their way to the India-spec EV. Digital appointments may include a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 14.9-inch infotainment touchscreen, as seen in the standard i5.
BMW i5 LWB price expectations
The BMW i5 M60 xDrive is priced at Rs 1.95 crore, ex-showroom, and comes here as a fully imported vehicle, attracting high tax duties. Considering the fact that the i5 LWB will be locally assembled in India, it will benefit from lower tax duties. As a result, it could be priced much lower than the i5 M60, likely between Rs 1.4 crore to Rs 1.6 crore. With the launch of the BMW i5 LWB, the carmaker will try to replicate the success of its larger sibling, the i7.