Gurugram: BMW India has launched the first-ever BMW i5 Long Wheelbase in the country, marking the brand’s first locally produced electric sedan and a fresh push into India’s growing luxury electric vehicle market.
Priced at an introductory ex-showroom price of ₹79,60,000, the BMW i5 eDrive35L M Sport will be produced at BMW Group Plant Chennai. Deliveries of the electric sedan will begin immediately, while bookings are open through BMW dealerships across India and the company’s official website.
BMW has also introduced a limited-run i5 eDrive35L M Sport First Edition at the same price of ₹79,60,000. All 99 units of the First Edition were sold out before the official launch, suggesting that India’s luxury EV buyers are not exactly waiting at the traffic signal when it comes to early adoption.
Hardeep Singh Brar, President and CEO, BMW Group India said, “The first-ever BMW i5 Long Wheelbase is more than a new model launch; it is a defining statement of our India strategy. As our first locally produced electric sedan, it brings together the two strongest pillars of our future growth: electrification and long wheelbase luxury. Purpose-built for the expectations of Indian customers, it showcases our growing local manufacturing capabilities while reinforcing BMW’s leadership in sustainable mobility. With its commanding presence, cutting-edge electric technology and class-leading rear-seat comfort, the BMW i5 Long Wheelbase is equally rewarding to drive and to be driven in. It seamlessly combines signature BMW driving dynamics with first-class chauffeur-driven luxury, creating an experience unlike any other in its segment. The first-ever BMW i5 Long Wheelbase sets a new benchmark for the modern executive sedan and redefines what customers can expect from electric luxury mobility. We are not entering a segment; we are creating one.”
The i5 Long Wheelbase is being positioned around three major themes: electric performance, rear-seat comfort and local manufacturing. BMW says the sedan leads its class in size, rear space and electric range. The car measures 5,175 mm in length, 2,156 mm in width and 1,520 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 3,105 mm.
Power comes from BMW’s eDrive technology, with a single electric motor, single-speed transmission and power electronics integrated into one drive unit. The i5 eDrive35L produces 268 hp and 410 Nm of torque. It can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.7 seconds and has a top speed of 195 km/h.
The sedan is equipped with an 81.6 kWh high-voltage battery, offering a claimed range of up to 669 km on the MIDC test cycle. BMW is providing a complimentary BMW Wallbox charger with installation, supporting AC charging of up to 11 kW. The vehicle also supports up to 160 kW DC fast charging, allowing the battery to charge from 10 percent to 80 percent in 33 minutes.
The exterior design follows BMW’s modern executive sedan language, led by the illuminated kidney grille with BMW Iconic Glow contour lighting. The sedan also gets adaptive LED headlights, slim LED taillights, flush-mounted door openers, black side skirts and 20-inch M alloy wheels with tubeless tyres. A newly interpreted Hofmeister kink with embossed ‘5’ badging adds a model-specific touch.
The i5 Long Wheelbase will be available in four metallic paint finishes: Mineral White, Phytonic Blue, Carbon Black and Oxide Grey. The cabin comes with fully vegan Veganza Perforated upholstery in a dual-tone Copper Brown and Atlas Grey combination.
Inside, BMW has focused heavily on rear-seat comfort, a crucial consideration in India’s chauffeur-driven luxury segment. The car features enhanced cushioning, generous legroom and a rear-axle air suspension system designed to improve ride comfort. In a market where the back seat often outranks the driver’s seat, that may prove to be more than a footnote.
The cabin includes a BMW Curved Display with a 12.3-inch information display and a 14.9-inch control display. It also gets the illuminated BMW Interaction Bar, CraftedClarity crystal glass elements for selected controls, four-zone air conditioning, front ventilated comfort seats and a Sky Lounge Panoramic Glass Sunroof with LED-based lighting.
A Bowers & Wilkins Surround Sound System is also offered, bringing what BMW describes as a concert-level audio experience to the cabin. The car runs BMW Operating System 8.5 and supports interaction through touch and voice commands. BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant, Remote Software Upgrades, Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are also part of the package.
The MyBMW App allows owners to monitor vehicle status remotely, while Digital Key Plus can turn a compatible smartphone or smartwatch into a car key. Access can be shared with up to 18 users, along with personal vehicle settings. The car also gets wireless charging trays in the front console and rear armrest, along with multiple USB-C ports.
The First Edition adds a dedicated rear-seat entertainment package with a tablet and tablet holder. It also features 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 edition is offered in Carbon Black Metallic exterior paint with Titanium Bronze exterior accents.
For Indian road conditions, BMW has equipped the i5 LWB with adaptive rear-axle air suspension and enhanced ground clearance. The company says the comfort suspension has been tuned to deliver stability, reduced body roll and sporty dynamics. The 20-inch alloy wheels use a mixed tyre configuration with wider rear profiles.
The sedan also offers BMW My Modes, including Personal, Efficient, Sport, Expressive, Relax and Digital Art. These modes adjust sound, lighting, temperature and seat functions to create different cabin moods — useful for those who believe traffic jams should at least come with ambience.
Safety and driver assistance features include Active Cruise Control with Stop & Go, Attentiveness Assistant, Parking Assistant Professional, Comfort Access, Remote Parking via smartphone, Manoeuvring Assistant, Reverse Assistant, Lane Change Warning, Cross Traffic Warning, Front and Rear Collision Warning, Exit Warning and Active Pedestrian Protection.
The car also gets eight airbags, Dynamic Stability Control with Cornering Brake Control, an electric parking brake with auto hold, side-impact protection, an electronic vehicle immobilizer with crash sensor and child seat mounting.
BMW India Financial Services is offering financing options under BMW Smart Finance, with monthly instalments starting at ₹79,999 and an assured buyback value of 55 percent at the end of a four-year tenure. Buyers can also finance BMW Service Inclusive, BMW Secure and Extended Warranty packages.
The i5 Long Wheelbase comes with a standard two-year warranty for unlimited kilometres. Extended warranty benefits are available from the third year up to the sixth year without mileage limitation, and the warranty can be further extended to 10 years or 2,00,000 km. The high-voltage battery is covered by an eight-year or 1,60,000 km warranty.
BMW is also offering complimentary two-year roadside assistance. The support package includes portable high-voltage battery chargers and a puncture repair kit as part of roadside assistance. The Charging Concierge service provides on-call help for long journeys, including route recommendations based on active chargers and unified payment access for charging.
With the locally produced i5 Long Wheelbase, BMW India is attempting to combine two trends shaping the premium car market: electrification and the growing demand for rear-seat luxury. The sold-out First Edition gives the launch an early headline, but the larger test will be whether electric executive sedans can move from novelty to normality in India’s luxury car landscape.
