In China, a car is not merely transport. It is a statement of arrival. No wonder, then, that BMW engineers spent three years stretching the wheelbase of the 5 Series specifically for the world’s largest car market.
Why the Long Wheelbase?
Chinese luxury buyers are frequently chauffeured. Rear-seat space, legroom and the quality of the rear experience matter more than driver engagement. BMW’s research found that rear passengers in China spend nearly 40% more time in the car than their European counterparts.
Debut at Auto Shanghai 2017
The G38 5 Series Long Wheelbase made its global premiere at the 2017 Auto Shanghai show, displayed alongside BMW’s Vision Next 100 concept. Production versions rolled off the Brilliance BMW Shenyang plant line within months of the reveal.
What You Get for 133 mm
The extra metal translates directly into knee room. Rear passengers gain 43 mm more legroom versus the standard car, the centre console is reshaped for rear comfort, and optional massaging seats were added as standard equipment for launch-edition models.
The Bigger Picture
The LWB strategy has since influenced how BMW approaches all its China-spec models. The current G60 5 Series continues the tradition, and the long-wheelbase variant accounted for over 60% of 5 Series sales in China in 2024.
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