BMW has commenced pre-series production of the electric i3 at the Munich plant
BMW has officially moved the new electric i3 out of the prototype stage. The company has launched pre-series production of the model at the main plant in Munich.
What is known
To mark this stage, BMW has released the first official images of the camouflaged cars, which are as close to the production version as possible. The manufacturer notes that these cars are assembled using a full production cycle - from stamping body panels to final assembly. The task of the pre-series units is to check logistics, equipment, and work processes before the start of mass production scheduled for the second half of 2026.
This is an important step for the project. Early i3 samples were partially assembled on a pilot site near BMW's Research and Innovation Center. However, now, after the completion of new body welding, paint, and assembly shops in Munich, the electric vehicle completes all stages of production at one plant - just like the production models.
The electric i3 and the next generation 3 Series with internal combustion engines are undergoing road tests simultaneously and appear similar due to the shared Neue Klasse design language. However, technically these are different vehicles.
The electric i3 is built on the specialized Neue Klasse platform for electric vehicles, which will debut in 2026 on the iX3 crossover. Meanwhile, the internal combustion version will retain the CLAR platform. The models can also be distinguished externally: the i3 has a sleeker roofline, different door and window shapes, as well as a charging port located differently than the internal combustion version's fuel tank hatch. There will be almost no differences in the interior - both models will feature a futuristic interior with a separate central display and a Panoramic iDrive screen stretched along the front panel.
Official specifications of the power units have not yet been disclosed, but the benchmarks are already clear. Preliminary data suggest that the all-wheel drive BMW i3 50 xDrive can develop up to 469 hp (345 kW) and have a range of over 644 km according to the EPA cycle. This should be facilitated by a large traction battery and support for ultra-fast DC charging. Later, a more affordable rear-wheel drive version will appear in the lineup, as well as a confirmed "charged" electric M3, which will be the most powerful and heaviest in the lineup.
BMW also notes that the staff training is gradually shifting from virtual simulators to working with real equipment at the plant. This is another signal that the launch of the model is already near. Although camouflage remains on the bodies for now, the electric i3 has effectively entered the final phase of preparation: the first deliveries to customers are scheduled for early 2027.
Source: BMW
