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BMW begins local assembly of its first electric sedan in India
BMW has started producing the i5 Long Wheelbase at its Chennai plant, marking the company's first electric sedan assembled in India. The locally built model is priced below the imported M60 version and comes with a limited First Edition run of 99 units.
By Eleanor Ellington · 3 min read
BMW has begun assembling its first electric sedan in India, with the i5 Long Wheelbase now rolling off the line at the company's Chennai factory. The move extends the automaker's local production strategy in the world's most populous country, following the iX1 compact crossover, which became BMW's first electric vehicle built there.
The Indian-made i5 eDrive35L is positioned as the largest sedan in its segment, measuring 5,175 mm in length with a 3,105-mm wheelbase that creates a cabin comparable to the 7 Series. Power comes from a single rear-mounted electric motor producing 268 hp, allowing acceleration to 62 mph in 6.7 seconds. The 81.6-kWh battery delivers up to 416 miles of range on the Modified Indian Driving Cycle, while standard adaptive rear-axle suspension and increased ground clearance are fitted to cope with the country's demanding road conditions.
BMW has not disclosed pricing for the locally produced model, but it will significantly undercut the fully imported i5 M60, which starts at ₹1,19,50,000, roughly $125,000 at current exchange rates. The price gap reflects both the lower specification and reduced taxes on vehicles assembled domestically. The conventionally powered 530Li M Sport, also produced in Chennai, remains the most attainable 5 Series variant at ₹76,60,000, about $80,000.
To mark the local production milestone, BMW is offering a First Edition limited to 99 units. Every car comes in Carbon Black Metallic with Titanium Bronze accents, an Individual Silver Bronze inlay, open-pore fine-wood trim, and a rear-seat tablet with holder. The dashboard carries a laser-engraved First Edition designation for the driver and front passenger.
India remains an unusual market for BMW in that it offers the same model with different wheelbases, giving buyers the choice between a roomier back seat and a more compact footprint. The stretched version adds weight and alters the car's proportions, but the option is unlikely to spread beyond the subcontinent, where long-wheelbase models are typically reserved for China.
Looking ahead, 2027 is set to be a pivotal year for the 5 Series range as BMW aligns the luxury sedan with its Neue Klasse design and technology direction. A moderate facelift and a radically different dashboard are expected following the switch to the iDrive X interface. The Touring body style and both M5 versions will receive the same makeover, with updates likely to reach the Long Wheelbase 5 Series and i5 in 2028.
