BMW Accelerates i3 Production Amid Surging Orders for Next-Gen BEV Sedan

BMW is accelerating the production ramp-up of its all-new battery electric midsize sedan, the i3. Driven by unexpectedly strong market demand, the vehicle opened pre-orders in Germany in mid-June — several months ahead of schedule — and becomes the second Neue Klasse BEV to reach production, following the iX3.

The i3 has now entered series production at BMW's Munich plant. Earlier, the first Neue Klasse model — the iX3 — began volume production last December at BMW's new Debrecen plant in Hungary. Just nine months later, that facility has rolled out its 50,000th iX3, setting a new record for the fastest production ramp-up among BMW's global greenfield plants. Although BMW has not disclosed i3 order volumes, Sales Director Jochen Goller stated both Neue Klasse BEVs "are generating exceptional customer interest," directly driving steep capacity growth across both factories.

On June 18, BMW launched pre-orders in Germany for the i3 50 xDrive First Edition, starting at €75,340 (approx. $86,400); the base model is expected to launch by late September, starting at €65,900 (approx. $75,500). The i3 features BMW's sixth-generation eDrive electric drive system and a 108.7 kWh battery pack, delivering up to 912 km (566 miles) of WLTP range — 906 km (563 miles) for the First Edition.

For the U.S. market, the 2027 i3 50 xDrive has received EPA certification with an estimated range of 708 km (440 miles), also using the 108.7 kWh battery. Its Neue Klasse–exclusive cabin includes a 43-inch panoramic head-up display spanning the lower windshield area and a centrally mounted, floating infotainment screen measuring 17.9 inches. Leveraging an 800-volt high-voltage architecture, it supports up to 400 kW DC fast charging — adding approximately 440 km (250 miles) of range in about 10 minutes. U.S.-spec models will natively integrate the NACS charging port.

BMW has not yet announced official U.S. pricing for the 2027 i3, but industry analysts expect a starting price between $50,000 and $55,000. For reference, the platform-mate iX3 50 xDrive starts at $61,500 in the U.S. and is already open for pre-order. The new model is scheduled to arrive in the U.S. in early 2027.