BMW has officially begun pre-series production of the all-new BMW i3 at its Munich assembly plant, with the first “near-series test vehicles” now rolling off the new production line. The fully electric 3 Series, now officially dubbed the ‘i3’ is widely regarded as one of the most important BMW models to date, and these still-camouflaged prototypes mark a significant step towards its full production run scheduled to begin sometime in the second half of 2026.
The company is still tight-lipped about the details of the all-new i3, but it was happy to boast that the Munich plant has undergone a massive transformation in preparation of the new Neue Klasse sedan. The completion of new manufacturing and logistics areas allows the site to handle every production step on-site for the first time.
Even though current production volumes remain small, all components are already moving through the new production systems to ensure the equipment and logistics are functioning correctly before full-scale production begins. Every part and every production step is closely scrutinised. A particular focus is on the approval inspection for cutting-edge production equipment and tools, and on how these are digitally integrated with existing systems.
During this phase, employees are undergoing intensive training, moving from augmented reality simulations to practical work on the new machinery. This close cooperation between all production departments is intended to ensure that every operation is integrated properly for a successful launch in 2026.
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The all-new BMW i3 is reportedly known internally with the codename NA0. Following the all-new iX3, the i3 will be the second model to debut on the dedicated Neue Klasse platform. Based on photos of the near-series production i3, the sedan appears to adopt a front design similar to the iX3, with headlights integrated and illuminated directly within a new interpretation of the company’s kidney grille.
While photos of the interior were not disclosed, the i3 is expected to share a similar setup with its SUV sibling. This includes the BMW Panoramic Vision, a large heads-up display projected onto a specially coated black surface at the base of the windscreen. This allows information to span the entire width of the dashboard, making it visible to all occupants.
Powertrain details are not available yet, although it should be fairly similar to its SUV counterpart. The BMW i3 should feature an 800-volt architecture that supports rapid DC fast charging. Entry-level variants could maintain a rear-wheel drive layout, while higher-tier variants could offer xDrive all-wheel drive, which is a dual-motor setup.
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