Locally assembled i5 LWB arrives with 669 kilometres of claimed range

The Takeaway

• The 2026 BMW i5 Long Wheelbase enters the market exclusively in the eDrive35L M Sport specification.
• Top speed is electronically capped at 195 km/h for this rear-wheel-drive luxury electric vehicle.
• Production takes place at the Chennai plant to avoid heavy CBU import duties entirely.
• Customer deliveries for the standard model commence immediately following the launch event today.

BMW has launched its first locally produced electric sedan for the Indian market. The new arrival directly mirrors the G68 generation combustion-powered 5 Series LWB introduced earlier this year. A limited First Edition was initially offered alongside it at the identical introductory price, but all 99 units completely sold out prior to the official showroom debut.

The powertrain relies on a rear-mounted electric motor pushing 268 hp and 410 Nm of torque. It dispatches the 0-100 km/h sprint in 6.7 seconds. You’ll get four exterior colours to choose from. These include Mineral White, Phytonic Blue, Carbon Black, and Oxide Grey. Fast charging peaks at 160 kW, replenishing the battery from 10 to 80 per cent in a brisk 33 minutes.

Inside the cabin, you get an expansive BMW Curved Display. This houses a 12.3-inch instrument cluster alongside a 14.9-inch infotainment screen running Operating System 8.5. The upholstery comes exclusively in a dual-tone Copper Brown and Atlas Grey vegan leather called Veganza. A 17-speaker 655W Bowers & Wilkins sound system handles the audio. Passengers also get 4-zone automatic climate control and ventilated front seats. A Sky Lounge panoramic glass roof completes the interior package.

What separates this vehicle from typical electric sedans is the engineering adapted specifically for rear-seat occupants. The 3,105 mm wheelbase creates immense physical space. Engineers raised the ground clearance and fitted a tuned adaptive rear-axle air suspension to handle punishing local tarmac. Passengers sit in redesigned seats with a 31-degree torso angle and dedicated comfort headrests. The centre armrest houses a wireless phone charger. You will also find USB-C mounting points to attach personal tablets behind the front seats.

BMW i5 Long Wheelbase price and specifications

At this tier, the new arrival massively undercuts its only direct electrified rival. The Lexus ES 500e currently sits higher up the ladder, demanding between Rs 89.99 lakh and Rs 91.20 lakh. The brand also wiped out a huge price gap compared to its own imported standard-wheelbase i5 M60 xDrive, which costs Rs 1.20 crore.

Localising a flagship EV completely changes the acquisition math for corporate buyers. It brings massive rear space and a zero-emission powertrain together, entirely eliminating the usual premium. This strategy shows exactly how executive luxury goes electric with the new BMW i5 LWB while appealing to traditional executives.

Outside, the design ignores the futuristic spaceship aesthetic. It abandons the polarising looks of earlier electric models to mirror the combustion version perfectly. A few key details give it away. You will notice the illuminated BMW Iconic Glow kidney grille and a redesigned Hofmeister kink featuring an embossed number five. The car rides on 20-inch aerodynamic M alloy wheels fitted with wider rear tyres.

The Unboxed Truth

Here at Unbox Daily HQ, we think this pricing strategy completely rewrites the executive sedan playbook. You will pay a mere Rs 3 lakh premium over the petrol 530Li LWB to get a massive battery and a whisper-quiet cabin. That’s basically a rounding error when you’re spending near eighty lakh. If you spend your week commuting through broken city streets, there’s simply no reason to buy the combustion version anymore. The i5 LWB gives you the exact ride quality India actually demands.

Best for: Executives who want electric silence without sacrificing legroom or ride comfort.

Who Is This For: 40 to 60-year-old professionals.

Courtesy: BMW