BMW India has officially opened bookings for the first-ever BMW i5 Long Wheelbase (LWB), a key step in the luxury carmaker’s electric vehicle strategy for the Indian market.
The new electric sedan is expected to become BMW India’s first locally-produced electric sedan and will be manufactured at BMW Group’s Chennai plant. Bookings can be made at authorised BMW dealerships and customers can also register their interest through the BMW India website.
The i5 LWB is a premium electric sedan with a long-distance range, rear-seat comfort, technology and BMW’s familiar driving experience.
The BMW i5 LWB’s long-lasting dimensions are also among the most impressive features. This electric sedan is 5,175mm long with a 3,105mm wheelbase and it is particularly spacious in the rear seat. It is the largest and longest car in its category and offers a very wide passenger compartment.
The extra wheelbase is very much to the point of appeal for buyers who are very interested in rear seat comfort and that is a major part of the luxury car market in India. The larger dimensions also make the i5 LWB more imposing on the road, while still maintaining the 5 Series look.
The high-voltage battery pack, which powers the India-made BMW i5 LWB, is 81.6kWh. BMW says it can deliver up to 669km of range on a single charge with the MIDC test cycle. The electric motor can produce 268hp and the luxury sedan can go from 0 to 100kmph in 6.7 seconds which is a good enough performance for a BMW sedan.
The claimed range could make the i5 LWB a good choice for customers who are looking to purchase a premium electric vehicle without having to plug in every day and wait for hours.
BMW has also made changes to the i5 LWB for Indian road conditions. Adaptive rear-axle air suspension and enhanced ground clearance are features of the sedan that enhance ride comfort and help the car move on different road surfaces. This change is very much a reality in India where uneven road surfaces and speed breakers are challenging for low-slung luxury cars. The suspension tuning and ride quality has BMW trying to marry the refined luxury sedan with the practicality of Indian road use.
BMW will also launch an exclusive BMW i5 LWB First Edition for only 99 customers. The special version also includes its own luxury and design touches, plus a special rear-seat entertainment package with a tablet and tablet holder.
The cabin is festively decorated with BMW Individual Silver Bronze accents, Fineline open-pored fine-wood trim and a Silver Bronze inlay. A “FIRST EDITION” laser engraving on the dashboard trim also distinguishes the limited-run model. The exterior is Carbon Black Metallic with Titanium Bronze exterior accents and the First Edition has a different look.
The BMW i5 LWB is an important addition to the local production environment in India as it brings the company’s locally made electric vehicles to Chennai. It will become the second electric BMW model to be rolled out of BMW Group Plant Chennai after the locally produced iX1 LWB.
BMW could also be able to sell the i5 LWB as a lower-cost product than a fully imported electric luxury sedan (at the moment) but has not announced any price. The current standard-wheelbase i5 M60 xDrive is sold in India as a fully built-up model and the new locally produced LWB version will also be a significant addition to the lineup.
BMW hasn't even announced the launch date or price for the i5 LWB. Earlier industry estimates had placed the model around ₹1 crore but those numbers should not be taken as final until BMW announces the ex-showroom price. The company’s latest announcement confirms that bookings have started and that the model will arrive in India soon.
The long wheelbase, spacious rear cabin, 669km MIDC range, 81.6kWh battery and locally produced status of the BMW i5 LWB is going to make it one of the best premium electric sedan launches in India. It may give BMW the luxury, practicality and electric performance that it needs to sell into its current customers and attract those who want that luxury environment of a chauffeur-friendly sedan but also are more inclined to switch to electric cars.
The limited First Edition is also a first edition of BMW’s new electric offering as it expands its electric vehicle presence in the Indian luxury car market.
