BMW has brought forward the opening of orders for the new electric i3 in Europe after recording stronger-than-expected demand for the model.
According to a report by Mashable, the German automaker originally planned to begin sales in the second half of 2026 but decided to accelerate the timeline due to strong consumer interest.
The new i3 is the second model built on the Neue Klasse electric platform, which BMW considers the foundation of its next generation of electric vehicles. The launch version features two electric motors, all-wheel drive, a combined output of 469 hp, and 645 Nm of torque. It accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in approximately 4.7 seconds.
One of the sedan’s biggest highlights is its range. BMW says the model will be capable of traveling up to approximately 900 km (559 miles) under the WLTP cycle thanks to its new 800-volt architecture and the brand’s sixth-generation batteries. The system also supports ultra-fast charging of up to 400 kW, adding roughly 400 km (249 miles) of range in just 10 minutes when connected to compatible chargers.
The i3 is part of the manufacturer’s strategy to expand its electric vehicle lineup and compete directly with models such as the Tesla Model 3. In addition to the sedan version, BMW has already confirmed that a wagon (Touring) variant is also under development and is expected to reach the market at a later date.
Pre-orders began with the i3 50 xDrive First Edition, a special launch edition featuring an expanded list of standard equipment. The model starts at €75,340 (approximately US$86,372) in Germany, although pricing may vary depending on the market.
It is worth noting that despite the earlier opening of orders, the production schedule remains unchanged, with manufacturing set to begin in August at BMW‘s Munich plant. The first deliveries are expected to take place from September onward or during the European autumn.
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Photos: BMW. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
