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BMW i5 LWB India launch likely in early 2026

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BMW i5 LWB India launch details

BMW is preparing to launch the long-wheelbase electric i5 sedan in India by early 2026. Locally assembled at the Chennai facility alongside the iX1, the i5 will be BMW’s first all-electric sedan built in India. It’s based on the China-spec i5 and will slot above the current 530Li but below the sportier i5 M60 within the 5 Series line-up.

  1. India-spec BMW i5 LWB to get more ground clearance
  2. BMW i5 LWB likely to be introduced in RWD form

BMW i5 LWB India specifications

Expected in i5 eDrive40L form that has up to 713km CLTC range

BMW i5 LWB side profile China spec
China-spec BMW i5 eDrive35L used for representation.

For the Indian market, BMW is engineering several changes to the i5 LWB, with a primary focus on increasing ground clearance. Feedback from early testing—including our i5 M60 review at Autocar India—had highlighted that its soft suspension and low ride height made it vulnerable to speed breakers. Addressing this, BMW reworked the LWB's chassis for local conditions, a process that delayed the India launch by nearly a year.

The India-spec i5 will likely be the eDrive40L variant, featuring a rear-mounted motor with 340hp and 430Nm of torque, powered by a 97kWh battery. In China, it achieves up to 713km of CLTC-rated range, though BMW expects lower figures under Indian driving conditions. The company’s goal with this version is to balance performance and efficiency, rather than focus solely on maximum acceleration.

BMW i5 LWB to fill gap left by a 5 Series diesel 

BMW i5 LWB rear China spec
China-spec BMW i5 eDrive35L used for representation.

The i5 is designed to fill the void left by the discontinued diesel variants in the 5 Series, as BMW currently offers only petrol engines in this segment. This has made it difficult for BMW to compete with the Mercedes-Benz E-Class, which continues to dominate. Although the i5 isn’t a direct replacement for the diesel—limited by charging infrastructure and long-range capability—BMW aims to win buyers over with the sedan’s refinement, technology, and smooth driving experience, especially those ready to transition to electric power.

BMW i5 LWB price expected between Rs 90 lakh and Rs 1 crore

BMW i5 LWB rear seats China-spec

Importantly, the i5 will benefit from a lower 5 percent GST, allowing BMW to price it closer to the E-Class diesel, despite higher battery costs. Local assembly will further boost price competitiveness, with ex-showroom prices expected to fall between Rs 90 lakh and Rs 1 crore.

BMW hopes to replicate the success of its larger sibling, the i7, which already accounts for half of all 7 Series sales in India. Marketed as a “baby i7”, the i5 LWB blends limousine-like comfort with electric sophistication and may give BMW an edge in the premium electric sedan space.

Ultimately, the i5 LWB’s success in India will depend on the pace of charging infrastructure development. For now, BMW’s strategy is clear: use electrification to fill the diesel gap and take on Mercedes in a new, fast-evolving segment.

 



from Autocar India https://ift.tt/g98acBx

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