BMW appears to be preparing another India-focused luxury product strategy. After successfully introducing long-wheelbase versions of the 3 Series, 5 Series and 7 Series in the country, the German luxury carmaker is now reportedly evaluating the China-spec BMW X5 Long Wheelbase (LWB) for India, with a launch expected towards the end of 2027.
If launched, the X5 LWB would become BMW India’s first locally assembled long-wheelbase luxury SUV and further strengthen the brand’s premium SUV portfolio.
BMW’s Long Wheelbase Strategy Has Worked Well In India
India has become one of BMW’s strongest markets for long-wheelbase luxury cars.
The company currently sells:
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BMW 3 Series Gran Limousine
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BMW 5 Series Long Wheelbase
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BMW 7 Series Long Wheelbase
These models have been well received primarily because Indian buyers increasingly prioritise rear-seat comfort, chauffeur-driven usability and additional cabin space.
BMW executives had earlier confirmed that the company was evaluating long-wheelbase SUVs for India, acknowledging that Indian luxury SUV customers value second-row comfort just as much as outright performance.
Why The X5 Long Wheelbase Makes Sense
SUVs account for well over half of BMW India’s overall sales, making them the brand’s biggest growth driver. Introducing a long-wheelbase X5 could help BMW differentiate itself from rivals like the Mercedes-Benz GLE and Audi Q7 by offering significantly better rear-seat accommodation.
Unlike Europe or North America, Indian luxury buyers often travel with chauffeurs, making rear legroom an important purchase consideration.
What Is Different In The China-Spec BMW X5 LWB?
The Chinese-market X5 is considerably larger than the global version.
Expected highlights include:
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Longer rear doors
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Increased rear legroom
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More comfortable reclining rear seats
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Better ingress and egress
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Premium rear-seat amenities
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Similar exterior styling with stretched proportions
The China-spec X5 (internally known as G18) features a 130 mm longer wheelbase than the standard global X5, with most of the additional length benefiting second-row passengers.
Expected Features
If BMW brings the Chinese specification largely unchanged, buyers can expect:
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Curved BMW Display
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Latest iDrive infotainment
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Digital instrument cluster
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Panoramic glass roof
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Four-zone climate control
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Premium leather upholstery
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Powered front seats
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Ambient lighting
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Wireless Android Auto & Apple CarPlay
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ADAS safety suite
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Multiple airbags
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360-degree camera
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Parking Assistant Professional
BMW is also expected to include India-specific comfort features similar to those offered on its LWB sedans.
Powertrain Expectations
Although official specifications remain unconfirmed, India is expected to receive familiar powertrains already available on the X5 lineup.
Possible engine options include:
Petrol
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3.0-litre turbocharged inline-six
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48V mild-hybrid technology
Diesel
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3.0-litre inline-six diesel
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Mild-hybrid assistance
Both engines are likely to be paired with:
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8-speed automatic transmission
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BMW xDrive all-wheel-drive system
The next-generation X5 is expected to continue using BMW’s flexible CLAR architecture, supporting petrol, diesel, plug-in hybrid and even electric derivatives globally.
Local Assembly Likely
Reports suggest BMW could assemble the X5 Long Wheelbase at its Chennai facility through the CKD (Completely Knocked Down) route, similar to several of its existing luxury models.
Local assembly would allow BMW to:
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Price the SUV competitively
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Reduce import duties
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Improve localisation
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Increase production flexibility
This approach has already helped BMW achieve strong volumes in India across multiple premium models.
Expected Price In India
The current BMW X5 is priced from around ₹95.9 lakh (ex-showroom).
Considering the additional equipment and extended body, the X5 Long Wheelbase could be priced between:
₹1.05 crore – ₹1.20 crore (ex-showroom)
Official pricing, however, will depend on localisation levels and variant strategy.
Expected Rivals
Once launched, the BMW X5 LWB will compete against:
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Mercedes-Benz GLE
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Audi Q7
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Volvo XC90
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Lexus RX
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Land Rover Defender 110 (select variants)
Its biggest advantage could be offering the most spacious second-row cabin in the segment.
Auto Punditz Says
BMW has already proven that Indian buyers appreciate long-wheelbase luxury vehicles, and extending this philosophy to SUVs appears to be a logical next step. With premium SUV demand continuing to rise and chauffeur-driven ownership becoming increasingly common in the luxury segment, the X5 Long Wheelbase could carve out a unique position between traditional luxury SUVs and full-size flagship offerings.
If local assembly materialises as expected, BMW may gain a significant advantage by offering superior rear-seat comfort without pushing prices into the flagship X7 territory. While the reported late-2027 timeline is still some distance away, the move underlines BMW India’s long-term commitment to tailoring global products specifically for Indian customer preferences.
