BMW just built the first i3 Neue Klasse EV, its most important electric sedan

The new i3 is a drastic improvement over the outgoing model as BMW’s first Neue Klasse electric sedan. After the first pre-series models rolled off the production line, BMW is preparing to begin mass production by the end of 2026.

BMW builds the first pre-series i3 Neue Klasse EVs

After kicking off series production of the new iX3 in late 2025, BMW is preparing for another Neue Klasse EV model.

Alongside the iX3, the new i3 is widely considered one of BMW’s most important vehicles, EV or ICE-powered, to date.

The i3 is the second model based on BMW’s 800-volt Neue Klasse platform, which the company says delivers 30% faster charging speeds and a 30% increase in range.

The platform features BMW’s next-gen electric motors (up to four) and batteries. It’s also equipped with new NMC batteries featuring BMW’s Gen6 cylindrical cells, which the company says are 20% more energy-dense than its previous prismatic cells.

After the first pre-series i3 Neue Klasse vehicles rolled off the production line at BMW Group’s Plant Munich in Germany on Wednesday, the company said the achievement marked a major milestone for the facility.

“For the first time, we have built a BMW i3 entirely at our plant – using state-of-the-art manufacturing technology and digitally connected processes,” the head of BMW’s Plant Munich, Peter Weber, said. The test vehicles mark the final phase ahead of series production, which BMW plans to start in the second half of 2026.

Although BMW has yet to reveal range and other specs, the Neue Klasse i3 will likely be available with the same 108.7 kWh battery pack as the iX3, enabling a WLTP range of up to 805 km (500 miles).

Given that the sedan sits lower and has a more aerodynamic shape, it could offer a slightly longer driving range than the iX3 SUV.

As for charging, the iX3 can add up to 373 km (231 miles) of range in 10 minutes. You can expect the i3 to be comparable.

The new i3 will feature BMW’s in-house “Heart of Joy” ECU, which features four “super brains” that the company says pack “more than 20 times the computing power” compared to its current EVs.

With series production set to begin later this year, the Neue Klasse i3 is expected to go on sale in Europe, the US, and other global markets in early 2027. BMW’s Neue Klasse electric sedan will be a direct competitor to the Tesla Model 3.