BMW is preparing a small electric car for 2028. i1 is still not the official name.
BMW announced during the Capital Market Day 2026 a new entry-level electric model set to hit the market in 2028. The car will utilize the Neue Klasse platform and is aimed primarily at customers in Europe, though the name i1 remains unconfirmed.
The manufacturer limited itself to announcing a “strategic expansion of the entry-level volume segment with another fully electric Neue Klasse model.” It did not disclose the body type, dimensions, battery capacity, range, or planned price. All that is known is that it will be compact and also the smallest car to date to use BMW’s new architecture.
According to the Bimmer Today blog, the project is internally designated as NB0 and could debut as the BMW i1. Rumors about electric models i1 and i2 emerged in 2024. Autocar reported at the time that the first of these might be a hatchback or a small limousine, depending on the market. BMW has not confirmed any of these options.
First, the BMW iX4
Before this compact electric vehicle hits showrooms, the Neue Klasse lineup will expand with another model. BMW plans to unveil the iX4 in 2026. It is expected to be an electric SUV coupe related to the iX3, likely also produced in Debrecen, Hungary. A similar layout is found in the previous generation of gasoline-powered X3 and X4 models.
Next-generation technologies made their debut in the electric iX3 and were later adopted in the new i3. Some of these solutions will also be used in hybrids and internal combustion engine vehicles. BMW aims to reduce the number of different components and lower costs through larger production scales.
One such element is the zonal electrical and electronic architecture. Instead of multiple separate controllers, the vehicle uses a few powerful computers that manage entire areas, such as the drive system, assistance systems, or multimedia. This design facilitates updates and faster addition of new functions.
BMW adds the tagline “AI-Defined Vehicle” to this concept. According to the manufacturer, artificial intelligence is meant to integrate the functions of driver assistants, infotainment, and comfort features based on the situation. For now, however, this remains a vision for the next stage of development rather than a specific feature of the announced i1.
The Munich-based company claims that the iX3 has already received over 100,000 orders, with more than 30,000 units delivered to customers. The order backlog is expected to be filled by the second quarter of 2027, and in selected markets, the iX3’s profit margin has matched that of its gasoline-powered models. These figures are provided by BMW. More details about the smallest electric vehicle, including confirmation of the name i1, are still pending.
LovEV Newsletter
Want more content like this?
Sign up — we’ll send you a weekly summary once the newsletter starts.
