Key highlights
- BMW i5 LWB unveiled in India
- The brand will reveal the prices soon
- It will be locally assembled
In today’s launch event of the X1 LWB, BMW has also revealed its second locally assembled EV for the Indian market, i.e. the new i5 LWB. The brand has commenced pre-bookings of the ‘First Edition’ limited-run 99 units of the i5 LWB, and its prices and other details are likely to be announced soon.
The ‘First Edition’ BMW i5 LWB lands
To start sales of the i5 LWB in India, BMW has announced the first 99 units to be called ‘First Edition’. Speaking of the i5 LWB first, it is based on the standard i5, but it gets a 100 mm longer wheelbase that offers more rear-seat legroom. The LWB is strictly for chauffeur-driven customers, since the whole point of the extended wheelbase is rear-seat comfort.
Other updates that it gets as compared to the Chinese-spec model are the retuned suspension and increased ground clearance. Initial reports and customer feedback found the car to be scraping its belly over the speed bumps. However, BMW India says that it has reworked these aspects by keeping the Indian road conditions in mind.
Interior features
The 99 units, aka the First Edition, will come equipped with the rear seat individual entertainment package that boasts twin screens, Wifi connectivity, OTA updates, and supports OTT platforms worldwide. Moreover, the interior of the ‘First Edition’ will get silver-bronze highlights on the inside, which elevate the overall cabin experience. On the outside, BMW will offer the i5 LWB in Carbon Black metallic exterior colour first in India.
Some key features of the Chinese-spec model include:
- Powered front seats with ventilation, memory setting, heating
- Bose Mode
- Panoramic glass roof
- Bowers & Wilkins sound system
- Veganza leather upholstery
- Reclining rear seats with central armrest
- 12.3-inch digital driver console
- 14.9-inch infotainment screen
- Wireless charging
- Custom LED mood lighting
The i5 LWB also gets a complete suite of autonomous driving safety assist features.
Battery specs and range
Powering the Indian-spec model is likely to be the same as that of the Chinese-spec model. Hence, it will get an 81.6 kWh battery pack that offers 286 bhp and a dual-motor setup. The MIDC-claimed range of this setup is 669 km. Meanwhile, the i5 LWB can sprint 0-100 km/h in 6.7 seconds.
Price and launch date
BMW is expected to price the i5 LWB around Rs 1.4-1.7 crore. It will be assembled in India, so that will help in pricing it aggressively compared to the imported i5. The launch date is yet to be confirmed, but we hope that the price will be announced in the coming weeks.
Also read: BMW X1 LWB launched at Rs 49.90 lakh in India: Specs & features
