BMW opens bookings for India-made i5 Long Wheelbase EV sedan
BMW India has opened bookings for the locally produced i5 Long Wheelbase, to be built at its Chennai plant. The electric luxury sedan claims a 669 km MIDC range, while a 99-unit First Edition will target premium EV buyers ahead of launch.
What happened
BMW India has opened bookings for the locally manufactured i5 Long Wheelbase electric luxury sedan, to be produced at its Chennai plant. The model offers a
Key facts
- 669 km claimed MIDC range
- 81.6 kWh battery
- 268 bhp
- 0-100 kmph in 6.7 seconds
- 5,175 mm length
- 3,105 mm wheelbase
- 99 First Edition units
Why this matters
BMW’s Chennai localization strengthens its India EV footprint and may increase the strategic value of partnerships across batteries, charging, premium fleet sales, and local component sourcing.
What to watch
- Speed at which the 99-unit First Edition is subscribed and whether bookings convert into final deliveries.
- Ex-showroom price versus imported luxury EV sedans and BMW's ICE 5 Series/7 Series alternatives.
- Announced Chennai production volume, component localization level and delivery lead times.
- Availability of financing, residual-value guarantees, buyback programs and bundled charging benefits.
- Competitive launches or price actions from Mercedes-Benz, Audi, Porsche, Volvo, Hyundai-Kia and Tesla.
- Indian policy changes affecting EV duties, domestic manufacturing incentives or charging infrastructure.
- BMW is likely to disclose i5 LWB pricing, delivery timing and First Edition allocation details, emphasizing locally made status and range.
- Dealers will target existing 5 Series, 7 Series and BMW EV owners with upgrade offers, home-charger installation and preferential finance or lease packages.
- BMW may expand workplace, destination and dealer charging partnerships to counter premium-buyer range and charging concerns.
- Competitors are likely to increase promotional activity around executive EV sedans and highlight their own localization, performance or charging-network advantages.
- If bookings exceed the First Edition allocation quickly, BMW may add standard variants or consider higher Chennai production allocation.