BMW opens bookings for the i5 LWB in India

BMW has started accepting bookings for the i5 LWB sedan in India, set for a launch in a few weeks. This confirms our November 2025 exclusive that BMW will launch the i5 LWB in India this year. The company will also offer a First Edition of the i5 LWB, limited to just 99 units. After the iX1 LWB, the i5 LWB is the second BMW EV to be locally assembled at its Chennai facility.

1. The LWB sedan will get an 81.6kWh battery pack
2. MIDC-rated range stands at 669km
3. 268hp i5 LWB eDrive 35L has a 0-100kph time of 6.7 seconds

BMW i5 LWB details so far

The carmaker has confirmed that the i5 LWB eDrive 35L will come with an 81.6kWh battery pack, offering a maximum range of 669km (on the modified Indian driving cycle or MIDC). Power output stands at 268hp, and the sedan sprints from 0-100kph in a claimed 6.7 seconds. In terms of dimensions, the i5 LWB is identical to the 5 Series LWB petrol sedan.

Separately, BMW also sells the i5 M60 with an 81.2kWh battery pack in standard wheelbase guise. The 601hp BMW i5 M60 gets a dual-motor setup, enabling all-wheel drive. Unlike the i5 LWB that will be locally assembled, the i5 M60 arrives here as a full import. 

The i5 LWB will be offered with adaptive rear-axle air suspension as standard, and BMW claims that the LWB sedan’s ground clearance has been raised for Indian roads. In fact, in our tests of the short-wheelbase i5 M60, we found that the soft suspension and low ride height made it prone to scraping on speed breakers. It remains to be seen how well the new LWB sedan performs on our roads.

Among confirmed features are LED headlights, 20-inch alloy wheels, powered adjustment for the front seats, a panoramic glass roof with integrated lights, a Bowers & Wilkins sound system, multi-zone climate control and a 360-degree camera setup. The touchscreen measures 14.9 inches, while the digital driver’s display is 12.3 inches.

The First Edition will exclusively feature a rear-seat entertainment package with a tablet and tablet holder, silver-bronze accents, along with open-pore wood inlay on interior trims and ‘FIRST EDITION’ laser engraving on the dashboard. A Carbon Black metallic exterior shade with bronze accents will be offered with the limited-run edition.

BMW i5 LWB price expectations and positioning

Since the i5 LWB will be locally assembled in India, it will benefit from lower taxes than fully imported cars. We expect BMW to price it below Rs 1 crore. The i5 LWB will be sold alongside the petrol-powered 5 Series LWB, giving BMW an electric alternative to diesel. With this strategy, BMW aims to fill the void left by diesel and take on the very popular Mercedes E-Class, available in both petrol and diesel guises.