BMW has taken a major step toward launching its next-generation electric sedan, confirming that the all-new BMW i3 has entered pre-series production at the company’s Munich plant.
This milestone means the long-rumored electric 3-Series is no longer just a prototype, it’s now being built using full factory processes ahead of its official debut later this year.
BMW released official images of near-production cars running through the press shop, body assembly, paint, and final assembly lines. Unlike earlier test vehicles that were partially built at BMW’s pilot facility near its research center, these pre-series cars are going through the exact same workflow planned for customer vehicles.
The goal is to validate manufacturing equipment, logistics, and employee training before mass production begins in the second half of 2026.
The move also confirms BMW’s dual-track strategy for the next 3-Series family. While the electric i3 rides on BMW’s dedicated Neue Klasse architecture, first introduced with the upcoming iX3 SUV, the combustion-powered 3-Series will continue on an updated version of BMW’s CLAR platform. Despite similar styling, the two cars are fundamentally different underneath.
Visually, the electric i3 can be identified by subtle changes, including a flatter roofline, revised window shapes, and a charging port positioned differently from the fuel door on ICE models. Inside, however, both versions will share BMW’s new interior philosophy, highlighted by a freestanding central display and the brand’s pillar-to-pillar Panoramic iDrive screen.
While BMW hasn’t officially confirmed specifications, expectations are high. Based on what’s known about the iX3, the i3 50 xDrive is rumored to produce around 463 horsepower and offer an EPA driving range exceeding 400 miles, supported by a large battery and ultra-fast DC charging. A rear-wheel-drive entry model is planned, and BMW has already confirmed a fully electric M3 variant further down the line.
With factory staff now transitioning from virtual training to hands-on production work, BMW is clearly entering the final phase before launch. The camouflage may still be on, but the electric i3 is now in its last dress rehearsal, putting first customer deliveries firmly on track for early 2027.
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