I’m excited to talk about the BMW i5 LWB India Launch. BMW has pushed the launch to early 2026. That delay means the car will arrive better adapted to Indian roads. In this post I’ll walk you through what I expect, why the launch slipped, and how the i5 LWB could change India’s EV sedan market.
Why the delay — India-specific engineering
BMW delayed the India launch because engineers went back to the drawing board for local conditions. During early testing they found the standard i5 sat too low and had a very soft setup for Indian roads. So BMW reworked the chassis and suspension to raise ground clearance and improve ride quality.
That matters because Indian roads can be rough, and low ride height often means scrapes and a harsh ride. By reworking the suspension, BMW aims to deliver a smoother, more practical car for India. The result is a later introduction, but a car that should be more usable here.
What variant and powertrain to expect
India is likely to get the eDrive40L variant first. Here’s what is expected:
- The eDrive40L uses a single rear motor.
- Power output is around 340 hp and torque about 430 Nm.
- It will use a roughly 97 kWh battery pack.
BMW seems to be prioritizing this rear-drive option for a balanced mix of range and efficiency. There’s no firm word yet that the high-power M60 dual-motor will come to India. That means performance buyers might have to wait or not get the M60 at all.
Real-world range and how to read the figures
On paper, the China CLTC figure for the eDrive40L reads as much as ~713 km. But CLTC numbers are optimistic. BMW itself expects notably lower, real-world range in India. In my view you should expect a large gap between the CLTC number and what you’ll see on city and highway runs in India.
For example, in hot-weather driving with AC on, and some highway use, the likely real-world range for the 97 kWh pack may sit closer to 400–520 km depending on driving style, speed, and climate control use. This is similar to how other EVs show a wide gap between test-cycle range and everyday results.
Interior, features and market positioning
The i5 LWB will sit above the 530Li and below the i5 M60 in BMW’s India line-up. It will aim at buyers who want a premium electric sedan with a roomy rear seat. Expect the LWB (long wheelbase) version to focus on rear-seat comfort with extra legroom and luxury trim.
Tech-wise, I expect large infotainment screens, BMW’s smart software and premium cabin materials similar to what you see on the global i5 and new 5‑Series. Local feature lists will be confirmed at launch, but the LWB tag usually brings more rear-seat features and comfort options.
Price, local assembly and impact on cost
BMW will assemble the i5 LWB in Chennai. Local assembly helps reduce costs because it lowers import duties and benefits from India’s lower GST rate for EVs. Expect pricing in the range of ₹90 lakh to ₹1 crore (ex-showroom). That puts the i5 LWB above the 530Li but competitive with other luxury EVs and ICE rivals like the Mercedes‑Benz E‑Class family.
| Item | Expected India Spec / Note |
|---|---|
| Launch timing | Early 2026 (delayed for India engineering) |
| Variant | Likely eDrive40L (rear-drive) |
| Motor | Single rear motor |
| Power & Torque | ~340 hp, 430 Nm |
| Battery | ~97 kWh pack |
| Range (test cycle) | China CLTC: ~713 km; real-world India: likely 400–520 km estimate |
| Price (ex-showroom) | Estimated ₹90 lakh–₹1 crore |
| Manufacturing | Local assembly in Chennai |
How the i5 LWB could affect buyers and the market
If BMW gets the i5 LWB right, it could pull buyers who would otherwise choose the 5‑Series diesel or the E‑Class. Here are three practical effects I see:
- Buyers seeking rear-seat comfort get a true EV alternative to the 530Li.
- Local assembly and lower GST keep prices more competitive versus fully imported EVs.
- BMW’s India-specific suspension tweaks could set a new expectation for ride quality in premium EVs here.
As a quick case study, consider the pricing gap: a fully imported luxury EV often faces high duties and lands at a premium. By assembling the i5 LWB in Chennai and using the 5% GST rate for EVs, BMW can price the car closer to what Indian buyers expect for a premium sedan. This makes the i5 LWB a realistic option for buyers who were waiting for an electric 5‑Series alternative.
What I’ll be watching until launch
Between now and early 2026 I’ll watch for a few key updates:
- Official India power and range figures — BMW may revise outputs or battery packs.
- Final feature list for the LWB model in India — especially rear-seat tech and comfort items.
- Confirmation on whether the M60 or other variants will arrive later.
- Official pricing and launch offers tied to local incentives.
Also Read: Yamaha FZ-Rave Debuts in India at ₹1.17 Lakh — Check Full Details
Final Thoughts
In short, the BMW i5 LWB India Launch set for early 2026 looks promising. The delay gives BMW time to tune suspension and raise ground clearance for Indian roads. Expect the eDrive40L with about 340 hp, a ~97 kWh battery and real-world range likely in the 400–520 km band. Local assembly in Chennai should keep prices competitive, roughly in the ₹90 lakh–₹1 crore range.
If you’d like, I can do one of two things next: track and alert you when BMW posts an official India launch date and pricing, or compile and compare official spec sheets (global vs expected India spec) once BMW publishes an India brochure. Which would you prefer?
