TL; DR
- BMW launches locally assembled i5 LWB EV in India at ₹79.6 lakh.
- It offers 669km range, 268hp, and 160 kW fast-charging capability.
- BMW undercuts Lexus ES 500e significantly, targeting luxury EV buyers through localization.
BMW spent years building a local electric sedan in India, and the wait has finally ended this week. After months of rumors and anticipation, the BMW i5 Long Wheelbase rolls out of the automaker’s Chennai plant at an introductory ₹79.6 lakh (ex-showroom). It goes without saying, but this marks the first time the brand has assembled an electric car on Indian soil, and that is exactly what makes this launch important.
One Price, One Variant, And A Limited Run That’s Already Gone
Before everything else, I’d love to applaud the simplicity with which the brand has structured the launch. The BMW i5 LWB comes in a single eDrive36L M Sport trim, the one priced at ₹79.6 lakhs (ex-showroom). Bookings for the electric sedan opened in August 2026, with a big twist.
The automaker capped the First Edition run at 99 units, and that was it. And if you haven’t already guessed it, every single one of those was booked before today’s launch event in the country. Given that number is under 100, I wouldn’t consider it the market’s response.
The Indian luxury market, EV or ICE vehicles, has been doing pretty well recently, and this is just an example of the same.
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It’s worth mentioning that this LWB variant undercuts the imported i5 M60 xDrive by around ₹40 lakh. The gap (in the customer’s favor) comes almost entirely from dodging the import duty.
What ₹79.6 Lakh Actually Buys You
Strip away BMW’s badge and the number that matters most is 669 kilometers, or the MIDC-claimed range from the car’s 81.6 kWh battery pack. The cell powers a single rear-mounted motor that produces 268hp and sprints from 0 to 100 kmph in 6.7 seconds.
Charging tops out at 160kW on DC. That speed is enough for a 10-80% charge, which takes around 33 minutes. To make the deal even more appealing for buyers, BMW is providing a home Wallbox, with installation included.
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While the BMW i5 LWB’s battery pack sounds impressive, its cabin is equally compelling. The luxury electric sedan gets features like four-zone climate control, ventilated front seats, a 17-speaker Bowers & Wilkins audio system, and eight airbags. All of this, along with adaptive rear air suspension, especially tuned for Indian roads (with additional ground clearance), makes this a no-brainer.
| Spec | BMW i5 LWB eDrive35L M Sport |
| Price (ex-showroom) | ₹79.6 lakh |
| Battery | 81.6kWh |
| Range (MIDC) | 669 km |
| Power/Torque | 268hp / 410Nm |
| 0-100kph | 6.7 seconds |
| DC fast charging | 160kW, 10-80% in 33 min (claimed) |
| AC charging | Up to 11kW, BMW Wallbox included |
| Dimensions | 5,175mm L x 2,156mm W x 1,520mm H |
| Wheelbase | 3,105mm |
| Wheels/Tyres | 20-inch M alloy, 245/45 R20 front, 275/40 R20 rear |
| Key rival | Lexus ES 500e (₹91.2 lakh, 580km range) |
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Here’s my honest read between the lines. BMW picked its opening price carefully. At ₹79.6 lakh, this one sits meaningfully below the Lexus ES 500e. In other words, the company would rather win the segment on volume and lower margins (thanks to local assembly) than chase the last few customers to get the imported flagship.
If the First Edition sellout is any indication, that bet is already paying off.
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