BMW’s New Plan to Kill the E-Class Diesel… Is This Electric Sedan

BMW’S NEW PLAN TO KILL THE E-CLASS DIESEL… IS THIS ELECTRIC SEDAN

BMW is about to make a very big, very smart move in India. The company has officially stopped selling its famous 5 Series diesel sedan. So, what’s the replacement? A new petrol engine?

No. The replacement is an electric car.

The BMW i5 LWB India Launch (Long-Wheelbase) is set for early 2026, and it’s not just another EV. It is a direct and clever attack on its biggest rival, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class diesel.

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THE PLAN: WHY THIS IS A DIESEL-KILLER

This is a brilliant strategy by BMW. Here’s our simple expert analysis:

1. The Perfect Price: Because it’s an EV, the i5 LWB will get the low 5% GST (a government tax). A diesel E-Class has to pay a much higher GST (up to 48%). This tax difference means BMW can price this high-tech electric car in the same range as the diesel E-Class (around ₹90 lakh to ₹1 crore).
2. Local Production: The i5 LWB will be built in India at BMW’s Chennai factory. This will also help keep the price low.
3. The ‘LWB’ Badge: We are a “long-wheelbase” country. We love back-seat space. By bringing the LWB version from China, BMW is giving Indian owners the limousine-like comfort they expect from an E-Class.

WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT THE CAR (IT’S MADE FOR INDIA)

This isn’t just a copy-paste from China. BMW is making India-specific changes.

During early testing, the standard car’s soft suspension and low height was a big problem on our speed breakers. So, the Indian model will get a tweaked suspension with increased ground clearance.

EXPECTED SPECS: BIG BATTERY, BIG RANGE

The model coming to India is the eDrive40L.

• Motor: A single electric motor on the rear axle (it is rear-wheel drive).
• Power: 335 BHP and 430 Nm of torque.
• Battery: A massive 97 kWh battery pack.
• Range: It has an official range of 713 km (on the CLTC cycle).

A WARNING ABOUT THAT 713 KM RANGE

That 713 km number is based on the CLTC (China Light-Duty Vehicle Test Cycle). This test is very “optimistic” and is known for giving much higher numbers than real life.

A more realistic “real-world” range would be closer to 550-600 km on a single charge. This is still a fantastic and very usable range for India.

QUICK LOOK: BMW I5 LWB VS. MERCEDES E-CLASS DIESEL

CONCLUSION

The BMW i5 LWB India Launch is one of the smartest EV strategies we’ve seen.

BMW is not trying to sell this as just an “EV.” It’s selling it as a replacement for the 5 Series diesel. It’s using the government’s low EV tax to fight the E-Class on price, while also offering a better, quieter, and more modern ride. This is a very big threat to Mercedes.

What do you think? Would you pick this new electric BMW over a diesel E-Class? Share your thoughts below.