BMW Unveils iX5 Long Wheelbase for China With 1,000 km Range

BMW unveiled the iX5 Long Wheelbase, an all-electric SUV built exclusively for China with a claimed range exceeding 1,000 kilometers (620 miles) on the CLTC test cycle and a rear-seat entertainment system that rivals first-class air travel.

The vehicle stretches the standard X5 wheelbase by 130 millimeters to 3,165 mm (124.6 inches), prioritizing rear legroom in a market where chauffeur-driven ownership remains common. Rear passengers get a 31.3-inch 8K Theater Screen, while the front cabin features a 17.9-inch infotainment touchscreen and a 14.6-inch passenger display.

China-First Strategy

The iX5 LWB follows BMW's playbook of developing region-specific variants for China, joining the iX3 and i3 in a lineup tailored to local preferences. The German automaker has watched its Chinese sales slip since 2021 as domestic EV brands like BYD, Nio, and Li Auto captured market share with aggressive pricing and localized tech.

To compete, BMW partnered with Chinese autonomous driving firm Momenta to develop an 'Address-to-Address' driver assistance system calibrated for China's roads and traffic patterns. The collaboration signals a shift in how legacy automakers approach the world's largest EV market—ceding some software development to local specialists rather than importing global platforms unchanged.

Range and Reality

The 1,000 km range figure uses China's CLTC cycle, which tends to produce higher numbers than the WLTP or EPA standards used in Europe and North America. Real-world highway range will likely fall short of the headline figure, though the exact battery capacity has not been disclosed.

The extended wheelbase and screen-heavy interior position the iX5 LWB as a luxury technology showcase rather than a volume seller. BMW has not announced pricing, but the feature set suggests it will slot above the standard iX5 in markets where both are available.

2027 Launch

The iX5 LWB is scheduled for official launch in China in 2027, giving BMW roughly two years to finalize production tooling and calibrate the Momenta partnership before hitting showrooms. By then, the Chinese EV landscape will have shifted further, with more models from domestic brands offering comparable range and screen real estate at lower price points.

For BMW, the iX5 LWB represents more than a product launch—it's a test of whether a German legacy automaker can adapt quickly enough to retain relevance in a market that now sets the pace for electric luxury vehicles.