BMW to open orders for new i3 earlier than planned

BMW originally planned to open the order books for the new i3 in autumn. However, a media report suggests the carmaker has brought forward the launch of its electric saloon in response to strong demand. Orders for the model's 1st Edition are therefore set to open as early as this week.

According to information obtained by Automobilwoche from company sources, BMW will open the order books for the i3 1st Edition at its dealerships as early as Thursday, 18 June. The trade publication reports that BMW decided to bring forward the launch because the fully electric version of the iconic 3 Series has generated exceptionally strong interest since its unveiling in mid-March. The company aims to capitalise on this momentum.

BMW unveiled the design of the new i3 in March. The latest addition to the 3 Series line-up is a battery-electric mid-size saloon based on the company’s dedicated Neue Klasse platform. Following the iX3, the i3 will become the second model in BMW’s next-generation EV portfolio.

The first drivetrain variant, the i3 50 xDrive, combines a 345 kW all-wheel-drive system with a 108 kWh battery. BMW has indicated a range of up to 900 kilometres, although it has not yet confirmed the final figure. The 800-volt architecture supports charging at up to 400 kW, allowing the battery to be replenished from 10 to 80 per cent in 21 minutes. BMW says its sixth-generation electric drivetrain technology delivers significant advances in performance, charging and efficiency.

Automobilwoche reports that the vehicle’s unveiling in March triggered strong interest worldwide, ‘not only from Germany and Europe but also from China, where the electric saloon made its debut at the Auto Show in Beijing.’ BMW plans to start production of the i3 in August at its main plant in Munich.