BMW Unveils The i5 LWB For The First Time In India

BMW India has pulled a rabbit out of a hat by unveiling the all-new i5 LWB electric sedan. The LWB (Long-Wheelbase) trend in BMW's portfolio comes right after the launch of the X1 LWB as well, which has debuted with the aim of catering to chauffeur-driven luxury car buyers.

The i5 LWB will be an executive sedan for those seeking the BMW driving experience for long-distance travel and chauffeur-driven city commutes. The demand for executive sedans in India still exists in small numbers despite the ever-growing popularity of SUVs.

BMW i5 LWB: Exterior

The BMW 5-series is among the most iconic models of the brand’s history. The current generation is now offered in the electric long-wheelbase avatar for the first time in India. 

Up front, the i5 LWB looks almost identical to the petrol-powered 5-series. What you see here is the First Edition, limited to 99 units. The mean-looking fascia is carried over with the iconic BMW Kidney Grille. However, the First edition gets Titanium-bronze accents throughout the car, which is first noticeable on the blanked-out grille with the ‘i’ badge. The swept-back headlamps house the typical twin-pod LED headlamps with the DRLs. Lower down, the bumper houses the number plate, the lower air dam for cooling the battery, and subtle air curtains in each corner. 

The side profile is where the biggest difference lies. The i5 LWB is stretched to make extra room for the backseat occupants. This is evident thanks to the larger doors and the long window line, which is highlighted by the silver-bronze finish. Notice the number ‘5’ written on the C-pillar, denoting it as the 5-Series. Besides this, it retains the regal proportions of the 5-series with a long bonnet and large 20-inch dual-tone alloy wheels that fill up the wheel arches well and stand out thanks to the sharp styling.

The rear end of the i5 LWB has a simplistic design and is familiar to the current 5-Series. The slim horizontal taillamps wrap around to the rear quarter profile, while the bumper also wears an edgu and sculpted look. Notice the BMW logo is surrounded by a bright blue accent, which all fully-electric BMWs wear. 

BMW has not disclosed the full list of colour options available with the i5 LWB, although it will feature a Carbon Black Metallic shade with the First Edition. This special edition will be limited to 99 units and will feature Titanium Bronze accents as well.

Interior

The interior of the i5 LWB looks modern thanks to the large curved dual-screen setup, which takes centre stage on the dashboard. One of the highlights here is the customisable ambient lighting, which runs across the dashboard and the doors. The rotary dials and the drive selector on the centre console have transparent crystal designs which elevate the premium aura inside.

Like on the exterior, the BMW logo on the steering wheel also has the blue surround accent denoting its all-electric origins. BMW is offering a dual-tone black and cognac coloured interior with leatherette upholstery and soft-touch materials across the cabin.

The main highlight of the i5 LWB is the stretched interior space. The addition of the pillows and the bolstering on the seats give the i5 LWB an excellent place to spend long distance journeys in. 

Features And Safety

The i5 LWB, being an executive luxury sedan, packs in features like a curved dual-screen setup with a 12.3-inch digital driver’s display and a 14.9-inch touchscreen infotainment display with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. It also includes a 12-speaker Bowers & Wilkins premium sound system, three-zone climate control, active keyless entry, a wireless charger, and connected car technology.

Safety-wise, the i5 LWB is equipped with a 360-degree camera, all-wheel disc brakes, reverse parking assist and hill hold control, tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS), electronic parking brake (EPB), front and rear parking sensors, multiple airbags and Level 1 ADAS. While the i5 LWB has not been tested by a third-party testing agency, the standard i5 has been crash-tested by Euro NCAP and has been rated 5 stars.

Drivetrain

The i5 LWB comes with one battery pack option, which is an 81.6 kWh battery. Further drivetrain specifications are as follows:

Price And Rivals

The i5 LWB is expected to be priced from Rs 95 lakh (ex-showroom) onwards.  

Though the i5 LWB sits in a class of its own, the closest rivals in India would be the Lexus ES500e.

ZigSays…

This is the fifth LWB model in the BMW India portfolio. This is a clear sign that Indians value extra space as one of the must-haves in a luxury car. This is true also for competitors like Mercedes-Benz. The tastes in luxury is also reciprocated in markets like China with whom we share many of the LWB models available in India.

Given that the claimed range numbers are commendable for the i5, it makes the car quite versatile for people looking to drive it for long-distance journeys and for chauffeur-driven city commutes. 

What do you think of the electric BMW i5 LWB? Would you buy an electric luxury sedan or still go for petrol and diesels? Let us know in the comments.