BMW has taken its electric i5, stretched it in all the right places and brought it to India as its first locally produced electric sedan. The new BMW i5 Long Wheelbase has arrived with more rear-seat space, a claimed range of up to 669 km and a starting price of Rs 79.60 lakh, ex-showroom.
Built at BMW Group’s Chennai plant, the i5 LWB is aimed squarely at buyers who like their luxury cars electric but still expect the back seat to feel like somewhere you could comfortably spend an afternoon. Deliveries have already begun, while bookings are open through BMW dealerships across India.
And if you were hoping to get your hands on something a little more exclusive, there is bad news. BMW’s limited-run First Edition, restricted to just 99 units, sold out before the official launch.
Bigger, longer and very much designed for the back seat
At 5,175 mm long, 2,156 mm wide and 1,520 mm tall, the i5 LWB is a sizeable thing. Its 3,105 mm wheelbase makes it the largest car in its segment according to BMW, with rear-seat space being one of its biggest selling points. The styling remains unmistakably BMW, with the illuminated kidney grille taking centre stage. There are also 20-inch M alloy wheels, adaptive LED headlights, flush door handles and BMW’s familiar Hofmeister kink, albeit in a slightly wider and shallower interpretation.
Inside, the i5 LWB goes heavy on the luxury. There are comfort seats with ventilated front cushions, four-zone climate control, a Sky Lounge panoramic glass roof and a fully vegan interior. The dashboard gets BMW’s curved display, combining a 12.3-inch information screen with a 14.9-inch central display. Then there is the BMW Interaction Bar, CraftedClarity crystal elements and a Bowers & Wilkins surround sound system. In other words, BMW has clearly decided that an electric luxury sedan should be a fairly pleasant place to avoid traffic.
669km range and 268 bhp
Powering the i5 eDrive35L is a single electric motor paired with a single-speed transmission. It produces 268 BHP and 410Nm of torque, allowing the sedan to accelerate from 0-100 kph in 6.7 seconds before reaching a top speed of 195 kph. The motor draws energy from an 81.6kWh high-voltage battery, with BMW claiming a maximum range of 669 km under the MIDC test cycle. Charging can be done at up to 160 kW using a DC fast charger, taking the battery from 10 to 80 per cent in 33 minutes. For home charging, BMW includes a Wallbox charger capable of charging at up to 11 kW.
Made for Indian roads
BMW has also equipped the i5 LWB with adaptive rear-axle air suspension and increased ground clearance, with the setup designed specifically to cope with Indian road conditions. The suspension aims to combine a comfortable ride with enough composure to retain BMW’s traditional driving character. The 20-inch wheels use wider rear tyres, helping with traction while keeping the car focused on comfort. There is also a long list of driver assistance equipment, including Active Cruise Control with Stop & Go, Parking Assistant Professional, Remote Parking, Lane Change Warning, Cross Traffic Warning and Reverse Assistant.
The i5 LWB is priced at Rs 79.60 lakh ex-showroom for the eDrive35L M Sport. Interestingly, the First Edition was offered at exactly the same price, giving its 99 early customers a rather exclusive proposition. BMW is clearly betting that India’s luxury car buyers want two things from their next electric sedan: zero-emission motoring and somewhere extremely comfortable to sit. With the i5 LWB, it has stretched the recipe accordingly.
