BMWs new i3 is so hot, the company opened preorders months ahead of schedule
It looks like BMW has finally found the winning EV formula.
In 2025, the company launched the BMW iX3, a compact electric SUV based on BMW's new "Neue Klasse" philosophy, with a new infotainment system and a massive battery.
The auto company followed up with the sedan variant called the i3. Once again, BMW did its best to address the biggest pain point of owning an EV, and equipped the i3 with a massive battery giving it record-breaking range.
The strategy appears to have worked. The BMW i3 was originally slated to become available for preorder in September, but BMW decided to capitalize on the interest around the car and opened the preorders in Europe on Thursday, June 18.
The car that's being offered is called the BMW i3 First Edition, and it starts at €75,340 ($86,372) in Germany (the price varies slightly by market). For the money, you basically get the M Sport version of the BMW i3 50 xDrive, with a 108.7kWh battery with up to 912 kilometres (566 miles) of WLTP range, and super-fast 400kW charging that can get you 250 miles of range in 10 minutes. The car's two electric motors have a combined output of 469hp, and can take the car from 0 to 100 kph in 4.7 seconds.
The interior is similar to the iX3's, with a 17.9 central infotainment display, a super-wide, 43'' Panoramic Vision display, and BMW's 3D Head-Up Display. The First Edition also gets the M Sport exterior and interior design elements, including BMW's Iconic Glow, and the AC charging rate has been increased from 11 kW to 22 kW.
Some options are also available, and these include rear seat heating, panoramic glass sunroof, and an electronic tow bar.
First deliveries are expected this fall. There's no word on when BMW plans to open up pre-orders in the U.S.
For those willing to wait, a cheaper, base model will be available in the fall for €65,900 ($75,550), with the same battery and similar range, as well as dual motors, but fewer amenities.
As for why BMW is hurrying up with i3 preorders, the answer likely likes in the stellar sales of the BMW iX3. The car is outselling BMW's own X3 in Europe, with more than 50,000 orders being placed as of April this year.
