Overview
- BMW says the first i3 pre-series sedans have been built entirely at BMW Group Plant Munich using upgraded press, body, paint, assembly and logistics systems.
- These camouflaged cars serve as test units to prove out end-to-end manufacturing under real conditions, with workforce training shifting from AR/VR to hands-on work, and they will not be sold to customers.
- Series production remains scheduled for the second half of 2026, with first deliveries widely reported for late 2026 to early 2027 and an expected Europe-first rollout that includes a U.S. launch.
- The i3 is the second model on BMW’s 800‑volt Neue Klasse platform featuring Gen6 cylindrical battery cells and a new in-house vehicle computing architecture that the company says will enable faster charging and greater efficiency.
- Performance and range figures circulating in reports are unconfirmed by BMW and should be treated as preliminary until official specifications are released.