BMW India launches locally made i7 from ₹1.95 crore; deliveries start in October
BMW India has launched the locally manufactured i7 eDrive50 xDrive from its Chennai plant, positioning India as the only i7 production base outside Germany. The electric luxury sedan starts at ₹1.95 crore ex-showroom, with deliveries scheduled from October 2026.
What happened
BMW India launched the new 7 Series, including the locally manufactured i7 eDrive50 xDrive from its Chennai plant. India is the only i7 production location
Key facts
- Rs 1.95 crore starting ex-showroom price
- Rs 2.65 crore for i7 M70 xDrive
- 112.5 kWh battery
- up to 728 km WLTP range
- 250 kW DC charging: 10-80% in 28 minutes
- 22 kW AC full charge in about six hours
Why this matters
India becoming the only i7 production base outside Germany signals BMW’s deeper regional manufacturing commitment and could create supplier, localization, and partnership opportunities.
What to watch
- Order-book size and October 2026 delivery lead times versus imported flagship EV waiting periods.
- Whether the ₹1.95 crore price meaningfully undercuts comparable imported luxury EV configurations after on-road taxes.
- BMW announcements on battery-pack, powertrain or supplier localization beyond final assembly.
- Mercedes-Benz EQS, Audi e-tron/GT and Porsche flagship-EV pricing, refreshes and dealer incentive activity.
- Changes to Indian EV import duties, CKD rules, luxury-vehicle taxation or charging-infrastructure policy.
- Early resale values and owner feedback on real-world range, rear-seat comfort and service turnaround.
- BMW India is likely to emphasize October delivery certainty, individualized specifications and chauffeur-focused rear-seat features in its launch marketing.
- Dealers may target existing 7 Series/X7 owners and corporate fleet principals with upgrade programs, assured buyback packages and premium charging installation support.
- BMW could use i7 assembly to advocate for stable EV component-duty policy and evaluate deeper localization of battery, electronics and high-value trim components.
- Rivals are likely to sharpen flagship-EV offers, especially through financing, service inclusion and trade-in incentives rather than direct list-price cuts.