BMW i5 LWB launched at Rs 79.6 lakh

BMW has launched the i5 Long Wheelbase (LWB) at an introductory price of Rs 79.6 lakh. It is the brand’s first locally produced electric sedan, assembled at BMW Group’s Chennai plant. Bookings for the i5 LWB opened in August, and it is offered in a single eDrive35L M Sport variant. The German marque had also announced a limited-run First Edition and has priced it the same, but all 99 units have already sold.

1. 81.6kWh battery with a claimed 669km MIDC range
2. 268hp and 410Nm, with 0-100kph in 6.7sec
3. 160kW DC charging; 10-80 percent in a claimed 33 minutes

BMW i5 LWB: Powertrain and range

The i5 eDrive35L features a single electric motor producing 268hp and 410Nm and a rear-wheel-drive layout. It has a claimed 0-100kph time of 6.7 seconds and a top speed of 195kph. Its 81.6kWh battery provides a claimed range of 669km under the MIDC test cycle. The i5 LWB supports up to 160kW DC fast charging, with BMW claiming a 10-80 percent charge time of 33 minutes. It supports AC charging at up to 11kW and comes with a BMW Wallbox charger, including installation.

BMW i5 LWB: Exterior

The i5 LWB is 5,175mm long, 2,156mm wide and 1,520mm high and has a 3,105mm wheelbase. Compared with the standard i5, it is 115mm longer overall and has a 110mm longer wheelbase. Its length, height and wheelbase are identical to those of the combustion-powered 5 Series LWB.

The i5 LWB gets BMW’s illuminated kidney grille, adaptive LED headlights and 20-inch M alloy wheels. The sedan also features wraparound LED tail-lights, a welcome light and embossed ‘5’ badging on the C-pillar.

IIt comes with the M Sport Package, which includes M-specific front and rear bumpers with black high-gloss inserts, an M steering wheel and two-tone leather upholstery. The i5 LWB also gets adaptive rear-axle air suspension as standard, while BMW says its ground clearance has been increased for Indian road conditions. The 20-inch wheels are shod with 245/45 R20 tyres at the front and wider 275/40 R20 tyres at the rear.

Four exterior colour options are available: Mineral White, Phytonic Blue, Carbon Black and Oxide Grey.

BMW i5 LWB: Interior and features

The i5 LWB gets a 12.3-inch digital instrument display and a 14.9-inch touchscreen. Other features include four-zone climate control, electrically adjustable front seats with ventilation, ambient lighting spanning the dashboard and a panoramic glass roof. Rear passengers get separate air-conditioning controls, a central armrest with two cup holders and wireless charging.

The equipment list also includes a 17-speaker Bowers & Wilkins sound system, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, BMW Digital Key Plus and USB-C ports.

Safety and driver assistance features include eight airbags, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, lane-departure warning, front-collision warning, rear cross-traffic warning and tyre-pressure monitoring. The i5 LWB also gets a 360-degree camera, front and rear parking sensors and remote parking via smartphone.

At Rs 79.6 lakh, the i5 LWB is significantly more affordable than the standard-wheelbase i5 M60 xDrive, which is priced at around Rs 1.2 crore. The M60 is imported as a completely built-up unit (CBU), while the i5 LWB is assembled locally at BMW’s Chennai plant.

The i5 LWB’s main rival is the Lexus ES 500e, priced at Rs 91.2 lakh (ex-showroom). The ES 500e uses a smaller 74.68kWh battery, produces 343hp and 438Nm and has a claimed range of 580km.