BMW has begun assembling its flagship electric sedan at its Chennai plant, making India the second country after Germany to manufacture the i7. In a localization push, BMW expands i7 EV production to India with the refreshed eDrive50 xDrive M Sport priced from ₹1.95 crore, or approximately $206,000, ex-showroom. Bookings are now open online and through authorized dealerships, while customer deliveries will begin in October 2026.
Previously produced exclusively at BMW’s Dingolfing factory, the i7 now joins the refreshed petrol-powered 7 Series on Chennai’s assembly lines, strengthening India’s role in the German luxury-car manufacturer’s global production network and electric-mobility strategy.
BMW expands i7 EV production to India by locally assembling the i7 eDrive50 xDrive M Sport in Chennai. It costs ₹1.95 crore, offers up to 728 km of WLTP range, and supports 250 kW DC fast charging. Deliveries start in October 2026.
Why Chennai Production Matters
The move makes India the only i7 manufacturing location outside Germany and ends Dingolfing’s exclusive production run for the entry-level electric version. Local assembly also allows BMW to price the i7 eDrive50 xDrive alongside the petrol 740 M Sport at ₹1.95 crore, improving its appeal in India’s expanding luxury-EV segment.
BMW Group Plant Chennai has assembled vehicles since 2007. With the i7, it now produces nine nameplates: the 2 Series, 3 Series, 5 Series, X1, iX1, X3, X5, X7, and i7. The factory produced 16,380 vehicles in 2025, up 12.4% year on year.
Performance, Range, and Charging
BMW expands i7 EV production to India with an upgraded 112.5 kWh battery and an electric powertrain producing 455 hp and 600 Nm. The eDrive50 accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in 5.5 seconds and delivers a WLTP-certified range of up to 728 km.
Key ownership highlights include:
- 250 kW DC charging support
- 10–80% charging in 28 minutes
- Complimentary 22 kW BMW Wallbox
- Around six hours for a full AC charge
The imported i7 M70 xDrive remains the performance flagship at ₹2.65 crore. Its dual-motor system produces 680 hp and 1,100 Nm, enabling 0-100 km/h in 3.8 seconds, with a WLTP range of 686 km.
Luxury Technology Gets an Upgrade
Inside, the facelift brings a 17.9-inch central touchscreen and a roof-mounted 31.2-inch 8K theater screen for rear passengers. Exterior updates include a squared-off kidney grille, split headlamps, slim daytime-running lights, and radar-assisted automatic doors with soft-close functionality.
A Wider Global Manufacturing Strategy
The Chennai decision mirrors BMW’s regional EV manufacturing approach. Its Debrecen plant in Hungary produces the electric iX3, while combined X3 and iX3 output reached 169,563 units during the first half of 2026, rising 16.4%.
Ultimately, BMW is expanding i7 EV production to India to bring its most luxurious electric sedan closer to local buyers, sharpen pricing, and deepen Chennai’s importance within its global network. The combination of local assembly, long range, rapid charging, and high-end cabin technology gives BMW a stronger challenger in India’s premium electric sedan market.
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